I read The Children’s Train by Viola Ardone in under two sittings (I only read half an hour or so the first sitting). This book is originally in Italian and was translated to English by Clarissa Botsford. Beautifully written with just the right pace, The Children’s Train is about choices made during hard times and their consequences. The book touches on a period of history that may not be as well as known. Take a look at the synopsis below and read on for my thoughts.
Though Mussolini and the fascists have been defeated, the war has devastated Italy, especially the south. Seven-year-old Amerigo lives with his mother Antonietta in Naples, surviving on odd jobs and his wits like the rest of the poor in his neighborhood. But one day, Amerigo learns that a train will take him away from the rubble-strewn streets of the city to spend the winter with a family in the north, where he will be safe and have warm clothes and food to eat.
Together with thousands of other southern children, Amerigo will cross the entire peninsula to a new life. Through his curious, innocent eyes, we see a nation rising from the ashes of war, reborn. As he comes to enjoy his new surroundings and the possibilities for a better future, Amerigo will make the heartbreaking choice to leave his mother and become a member of his adoptive family.
Amerigo’s journey is a moving story of memory, indelible bonds, artistry, and self-exploration, and a soaring examination of what family can truly mean. Ultimately Amerigo comes to understand that sometimes we must give up everything, even a mother’s love, to find our destiny.
Content Notes: Depictions of death of a child (off screen), separation from parents, living with a single mother.
Thoughts on The Children’s Train
The Children’s Train is set in post world war south Italy. There is abject poverty and the Communists are trying to get the kids away from the dreadful place to the North, where there is food and safety. Amerigo’s mother seems to think of him and her life as drudgery and is unhappy about her situation. As a young kid, only seven years old, Amerigo is trying to understand the world around him – big words like “divinity”, “prejudice” and “solidarity” are regularly used by adults around him. Political words like communist and fascist are also an important part of his world. The kids on the train know the wealth divides very well.
The more time Amerigo spends with the people in the north, the more he likes them. He compares them with back home and as he sees other kids happy around him, he feels he will forget home. Unfortunately his time there comes to an end and he has to go back home to his old life. Told in three parts – when Amerigo first goes to live with Derna in the north, when he returns home, and forty years later when he visits home again, The Children’s Train is a thought provoking read about the choices we make or made for us in life.
On Home
I have taken a lot of train journeys in life. When I was little and would spend time with my dad, coming back home to my mom was hard. The love that my grandparents used to shower on me, the attention of the rest of the household, always having someone to talk to or play with, seemed like the best days ever. I didn’t want to come back but I couldn’t stay either. I remember my mom reacting sometimes like Antoinetta. Amerigo’s tug of war between the south and north made perfect sense to me and I related to him in ways I had not imagined. His story also reminded me that coming back is hard not just for the child but also the parent. Antoinette knew in her heart that Amerigo missed his life back in the north and no longer wanted to be with her. His heart was just not where she was.
On Consequences of Solidarity
The Children’s Train tries to show the long term effects of decisions that are made in times of desperation. The parents sent their kids to the north for their wellbeing, but how many of them could truly have imagined that some of the kids would not want to come back? At the same time, there were also kids who came back and stayed connected to their foster families in the north, creating a balance between the two homes. That was not possible for everyone. For some kids, there were never meant to be two homes and they had to either make peace with the family they were born in and be ok with wearing someone else’s shoes or leave that behind and have an opportunity to live the life they wanted. Even at the early age of seven years, they knew what they wanted.
Hospitality, solidarity, as you say, leaves a bitter taste behind on both sides. Those who give, and those who receive. That’s why it’s so difficult. I dreamed of being like everyone else. I wanted them to forget where I came from and why. I gained a lot, but I paid the full price for it and I gave up a lot, too.
The Children’s Train
Amerigo always wanted to feel normal, not a charity case as the child on the train. He made a name for himself and kept a private life. He wanted to prove he was like everyone else. He wanted to get away from his old life and that is why he did what he did. Even though he was only 7 when he took the train, the time up North showed him the flaws of his previous existence and he wanted to stay clear of it as much as he could.
On Love
An important takeaway of mine from this book was that love is shown in many ways. People show affection differently and one may seem better than the other but it’s still affection. Antoinetta was not a doting mother. She is not one to discuss every decision she makes with a seven year old. She had faced hardships – her parents were dead and men didn’t stay with her – and yet she decided to keep all her children and bring them up. In my opinion, she was not particularly kind to Amerigo, but at the same time, she realized that sending him to the North to people who had food and warmth would be better for him than staying with her. She let it be Amerigo’s choice if he wanted to come back. How else can a mother show love in this situation?
I could not put down The Children’s Train. In some ways, it reminded me of my own childhood and relationship with my mother. I am glad that when Amerigo is older, he comes to understand his mother better and is able to critique his own actions through a grown up lens. I highly recommend this book to all historical fiction lovers. It was an impactful read. Also check out The Paris Library which I posted about earlier this month.
** The Children’s Train is now available in stores. **
Amazon Print
Amazon Kindle
Many thanks to the publisher Harper Collins Canada for providing me a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Cover image: Photo by Antoine Beauvillain on Unsplash
A very thoughtful review, Kriti. It looks like a great read and I’m glad you enjoyed it.