To be honest, I didn’t feel so much at ease with this novel as I was disturbed by the realization that it was filled with desire and sex. The book focuses on the exploration of the tumultuous journey from childhood innocence to the precipice of adulthood, the exploration of adolescence, the exploration of physical structure and psychological maturity, and the exploration of innocence and desire. At the heart of the book is the story of a young boy in the throes of puberty named Agostino, whose sexual awakening triggers a series of emotions. The author uses a sun-drenched summer beach as the backdrop, using the beauty and quiet of the setting to set off the turmoil and turmoil of the adolescent boy’s psyche.

Agostino’s relationship with his mother is at the center of the novel, and she plays an important role in his life, both as a source of comfort and constraint. Their relationship is one of possessive love, a counterweight to dependence and defiance, and is at the center of Agostino’s journey of self-discovery. In the midst of a sensitive adolescence, Agostino finds himself longing for both autonomy and his mother’s approval, a contradiction that mirrors the pervasive struggle for independence and identity.

Throughout the narrative, Agostino’s burgeoning awareness of his own sexuality is depicted with a mixture of fascination, confusion, and apprehension. As he encounters the sensuality of the beach environment and the allure of the young girls who populate it, Agostino is drawn into a world of desire that both enchants and intimidates him. His interactions with these figures serve as a catalyst for his own awakening, prompting him to confront the complexities of his burgeoning desires and the social norms that govern them.

At the same time, Moravia explores the ways in which sexuality is intertwined with power dynamics and social hierarchies. Agostino’s fascination with Berto, for example, is not only rooted in a desire for intimacy but also in a longing for the freedom and autonomy that Berto represents. Similarly, his interactions with the girls on the beach are imbued with a sense of longing and longingness, as he grapples with the complex interplay of attraction and apprehension.

My question is: Have you ever experienced the confusion of adolescence, which can be physical or psychological? How did you get out of the confusion of adolescence, gradually form a sound personality and finally grow into the present shape?