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A sparkling, propulsive new novel from the bestselling author of The Imperfectionists.
Rome, 1955. The artists gather for a picture at a party in an ancient villa. Bear Bavinsky, creator of vast canvases, larger than life, is at the centre of the picture. His wife, Natalie, edges out of the shot.
From the side of the room watches little Pinch-their son. At five years old he loves Bear almost as much as he fears him. After Bear abandons their family, Pinch will still worship him, striving to live up to the Bavinsky name; while Natalie, a ceramicist, cannot hope to be more than a forgotten muse. Trying to burn brightly in his father's shadow, Pinch's attempts flicker and die. Yet by the end of a career of twists and compromises, Pinch will enact an unexpected rebellion that will leave forever his mark upon the Bear Bavinsky legacy.
A masterful, original examination of love, duty, art and fame, The Italian Teacher cements Tom Rachman as among this generation's most exciting literary voices. Shortlisted for the 2018 Costa Novel Award
A CBC Best Canadian Book of 2018
A USA Today Best Book of 2018
A Glamour Best Book of 2018
"Rachman is a brilliant choreographer of skewed desires ... He has a deft way of describing atrocious behavior without damning his characters, without suggestions that they're entirely circumscribed by their worst acts. His comedy is tempered by a kind of a gentleness that's a salve in these mean times." -The Washington Post
"Rachman appears in perfect control of his material. This is not an aesthetic treatise but, first and foremost, a morality tale about fame and family, 'the long, loud effect of fathers.' ... There are no black-and-white answers in life and art, not even in our present age of increasing personal responsibility. The Italian Teacher is a psychologically nuanced pleasure." -The New York Times
"The Italian Teacher finds a lovely and unexpected grace note, a left-field redemption made even sweeter by its long and winding path." -Entertainment Weekly
"Rachman's narrative is rich with wordplay, clever dialogue and subtle insights. His plot twists blindside you. And, his ensemble of lovable, misfit characters-from Pinch's true love in college, sassy Cilla Barrows, to his best friend, self-styled bohemian Marsden McClintock-are unforgettable... The brilliant finale ... will leave you surprised, sad and uplifted." -USA Today
"[An] artful page-turner... A satisfying examination of authorship and authenticity, and a fine fictionalization of how crafting an identity independent of one's parents can be a lifelong, worthwhile project." -Publishers Weekly, starred review
"A momentous drama of a volatile relationship and the fundamental will to survive." -Booklist, starred review
"Readers may finish The Italian Teacher feeling wistful and nostalgic, a high mark for any book, and that is proof of Rachman's talent... This book is a wonderful, heartbreaking read." -Shelf Awareness, starred review
"Rachman wrestles with age-old questions: What is the purpose of art? How do we judge excellence? Does fame matter? ... That's a lot to expect of any novel, yet The Italian Teacher delivers in spades." -San Francisco Chronicle
"One of Mr. Rachman's gifts is his ability to evoke a time and place in a few deft strokes, whether that is the seedy charm of post-war Rome or the New York art scene of the late 1960s... The book is intimate, subtly exploring its characters' inner lives." -The Economist
"Poignant... A sensitive look at complicated relationships that's especially notable for the fascinatingly conflicted protagonist." -Kirkus Reviews
"Rachman is a classically novelistic writer, his elements finely woven but on visible display. His command of characterization is impressive... [The Italian Teacher] makes for brisk, pleasant reading ... [and] is a polished, almost wistful expression of establi
Rome, 1955. The artists gather for a picture at a party in an ancient villa. Bear Bavinsky, creator of vast canvases, larger than life, is at the centre of the picture. His wife, Natalie, edges out of the shot.
From the side of the room watches little Pinch-their son. At five years old he loves Bear almost as much as he fears him. After Bear abandons their family, Pinch will still worship him, striving to live up to the Bavinsky name; while Natalie, a ceramicist, cannot hope to be more than a forgotten muse. Trying to burn brightly in his father's shadow, Pinch's attempts flicker and die. Yet by the end of a career of twists and compromises, Pinch will enact an unexpected rebellion that will leave forever his mark upon the Bear Bavinsky legacy.
A masterful, original examination of love, duty, art and fame, The Italian Teacher cements Tom Rachman as among this generation's most exciting literary voices. Shortlisted for the 2018 Costa Novel Award
A CBC Best Canadian Book of 2018
A USA Today Best Book of 2018
A Glamour Best Book of 2018
"Rachman is a brilliant choreographer of skewed desires ... He has a deft way of describing atrocious behavior without damning his characters, without suggestions that they're entirely circumscribed by their worst acts. His comedy is tempered by a kind of a gentleness that's a salve in these mean times." -The Washington Post
"Rachman appears in perfect control of his material. This is not an aesthetic treatise but, first and foremost, a morality tale about fame and family, 'the long, loud effect of fathers.' ... There are no black-and-white answers in life and art, not even in our present age of increasing personal responsibility. The Italian Teacher is a psychologically nuanced pleasure." -The New York Times
"The Italian Teacher finds a lovely and unexpected grace note, a left-field redemption made even sweeter by its long and winding path." -Entertainment Weekly
"Rachman's narrative is rich with wordplay, clever dialogue and subtle insights. His plot twists blindside you. And, his ensemble of lovable, misfit characters-from Pinch's true love in college, sassy Cilla Barrows, to his best friend, self-styled bohemian Marsden McClintock-are unforgettable... The brilliant finale ... will leave you surprised, sad and uplifted." -USA Today
"[An] artful page-turner... A satisfying examination of authorship and authenticity, and a fine fictionalization of how crafting an identity independent of one's parents can be a lifelong, worthwhile project." -Publishers Weekly, starred review
"A momentous drama of a volatile relationship and the fundamental will to survive." -Booklist, starred review
"Readers may finish The Italian Teacher feeling wistful and nostalgic, a high mark for any book, and that is proof of Rachman's talent... This book is a wonderful, heartbreaking read." -Shelf Awareness, starred review
"Rachman wrestles with age-old questions: What is the purpose of art? How do we judge excellence? Does fame matter? ... That's a lot to expect of any novel, yet The Italian Teacher delivers in spades." -San Francisco Chronicle
"One of Mr. Rachman's gifts is his ability to evoke a time and place in a few deft strokes, whether that is the seedy charm of post-war Rome or the New York art scene of the late 1960s... The book is intimate, subtly exploring its characters' inner lives." -The Economist
"Poignant... A sensitive look at complicated relationships that's especially notable for the fascinatingly conflicted protagonist." -Kirkus Reviews
"Rachman is a classically novelistic writer, his elements finely woven but on visible display. His command of characterization is impressive... [The Italian Teacher] makes for brisk, pleasant reading ... [and] is a polished, almost wistful expression of establi