Down in the Valley: The heart-stopping new novel from Italy’s million-copy bestselling author of The Eight Mountains
Jun 2025 · Random House
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160
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About this ebook
Two brothers are reunited high in the Italian Alps, surrounded by the peaks, valleys and nature of a wild, secluded world
The heart-stopping new novel from Italy’s million-copy bestselling author of The Eight Mountains
'A writer of rare wisdom and grace' Wall Street Journal
Alfredo and Luigi grew up in Valsesia, in northern Italy. Their father planted trees for them when they were born: for Luigi, a larch, which looks towards the sun and waves in the wind; for Alfredo, a fir, which flourishes only in the shade.
Since their father's untimely death, all the two brothers have in common is their heavy drinking and the old family home, high up on the mountain. Luigi would like to buy Alfredo out, move from down in the valley to start a new life up in the heights with Elisabetta and the baby girl they are expecting. But in this remote and wild landscape, one drink too many, one wrong word, can turn dogs into wolves.
Translated by Stash Luczkiw
Praise for Paolo Cognetti
'Exquisite' Annie Proulx
'Enchanting' Guardian
'Brilliant' New York Times
‘Uncommonly beautiful’ Vogue
‘A masterclass in high-altitude atmosphere’ Financial Times
The heart-stopping new novel from Italy’s million-copy bestselling author of The Eight Mountains
'A writer of rare wisdom and grace' Wall Street Journal
Alfredo and Luigi grew up in Valsesia, in northern Italy. Their father planted trees for them when they were born: for Luigi, a larch, which looks towards the sun and waves in the wind; for Alfredo, a fir, which flourishes only in the shade.
Since their father's untimely death, all the two brothers have in common is their heavy drinking and the old family home, high up on the mountain. Luigi would like to buy Alfredo out, move from down in the valley to start a new life up in the heights with Elisabetta and the baby girl they are expecting. But in this remote and wild landscape, one drink too many, one wrong word, can turn dogs into wolves.
Translated by Stash Luczkiw
Praise for Paolo Cognetti
'Exquisite' Annie Proulx
'Enchanting' Guardian
'Brilliant' New York Times
‘Uncommonly beautiful’ Vogue
‘A masterclass in high-altitude atmosphere’ Financial Times
About the author
Paolo Cognetti (Author)
Paolo Cognetti was born in Milan and continues to divide his time between the city and his cabin in the Italian Alps. He is the author of The Lovers and The Eight Mountains, which was an international sensation: a bestseller in multiple languages and the winner of Italy’s Premio Strega and the French Prix Médicis étranger. The film adaptation of The Eight Mountains won the 2022 Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival.
Stash Luczkiw (Translator)
Stash Luczkiw is a US-born writer of poetry, fiction and journalism. He has translated various books from Italian and other languages into English.
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