Black Mountain

Product Description

Beginning in the sulphur mines of Sicily over a century ago, Black Mountain takes you on a journey through time and back again. When a boy sold into slavery finds the courage to escape, he is saved by a mysterious stranger, who raises the boy as his own. Renamed Cesare Montenero after Sicily's own 'black mountain', Mount Etna, the boy begins to develop unusual talents, and discovers that he has more in common with his saviour than he imagined. And when he meets the enigmatic Celeste, he suspects for the first time that he may not be alone. Based on factual events and ranging through Italy, Paris and the rural fringes of coastal Australia, Black Mountain is a haunting exploration of what it means to be human. 'Like the best of fiction, this unsettling novel remains with you long after you have finished.' Christos Tsiolkas Praise for The Dirty Beat 'An exhilarating, poignant journey' Bulletin 'Leaves you reeling' Sunday Mail 'Bold, original and moving' AgeBeginning in the sulphur mines of Sicily over a century ago, Black Mountain takes you on a journey through time and back again. When a boy sold into slavery finds the courage to escape, he is saved by a mysterious stranger, who raises the boy as his own. Renamed Cesare Montenero after Sicily's own 'black mountain', Mount Etna, the boy begins to develop unusual talents, and discovers that he has more in common with his saviour than he imagined. And when he meets the enigmatic Celeste, he suspects for the first time that he may not be alone. Based on factual events and ranging through Italy, Paris and the rural fringes of coastal Australia, Black Mountain is a haunting exploration of what it means to be human. 'Like the best of fiction, this unsettling novel remains with you long after you have finished.' Christos Tsiolkas Praise for The Dirty Beat 'An exhilarating, poignant journey' Bulletin 'Leaves you reeling' Sunday Mail 'Bold, original and moving' Age
Venero Armanno was born in Brisbane, and has studied at the University of Queensland, the Australian Film, Television and Radio School, Queensland University of Technology, and the Tisch School of the Arts, New York University. The son of Sicilian migrants, he has travelled and worked widely throughout the world. In 1995, 1997 and 1999 he lived and worked at the Cite Internationale des Arts, Paris, and he is frequently invited to speak about his work in Spain and Germany. He is the author of a book of short stories, Jumping at the Moon, and the novels The Lonely Hunter, Romeo of the Underworld, My Beautiful Friend, The Volcano, Strange Rain, Firehead and Candle Life.