Elisa Dondi

The indomitable urge of the human spirit comes face to face with the societal pressures that keep young women's wants, bodies and desires under wraps in these short stories set amongst nature.

A young woman in early-1900s Italy searches for a mystical sanctuary where her stillborn child can be brought back to life long enough to be baptized.

Giacomina is twelve, and has been chosen as guardian of Saint Achillea's statue for the annual procession. It would be the most beautiful day for her but her best friend, Silene, is found in a state of a seeming death: her body is still warm. While the village is hailing it as a miracle, walking in procession with the girl instead of the statue, Giacomina is the only one wondering whether everything is really lost or not. - Marco Borromei