The journey from youth to adulthood, from innocence to knowledge is prevalent throughout this book. The emotional breakthroughs of the protagonists are as unsettling as they are intriguing, especially his feelings contradicting societal norms as he has inappropriate feelings for his mother.

Set in an Italian summer, Agostino explores his sexuality by trying to navigate his desire for power and lust. We see him experience his first taste of jealousy when his mother is with a new boy. One could argue that he just wants time with his mother and feels he will be abandoned for this new boy. However, I think the author is trying to explore the darker aspects of human nature and morality through adolescence. Nothing I have read has touched this freudian topic as closely as this book has and I find it almost taboo to read about such topics.

I think something that did resonate with me is when he was at the beach with his friends and got a taste of friendly competition and camaraderie, but also insecurity and confusion about who he is and how he should act. Acceptance is a huge part of Agostinos journey and I appreciated this scene being the start of his journey out of childhood. I remember when I was trying my best to fit in not realizing that friends should be accepting of you and not who you try to be.

In my view, in the modern era, people don’t take heavy topics seriously. These topics are overly fantasized and it almost feels like this would never happen in real life. I don’t know if fantasized is the right word but fictionalized? Meaning that people almost get desensitized with certain topics that are meant to be taken in a more serious manner. In this book however, I feel the topic of sexuality and the taboo surrounding it, has not been discussed. Therefore, the majority of people have not been desensitized and I think that is what made this an interesting read.

I am curious to know peoples opinion on freud theories and if you think that influenced this book?