This November, Literature Live! The Mumbai LitFest welcomes Italian author Maddalena Vaglio Tanet, a writer whose work often delves into the literary landscape associated with childhood, challenging its confines by examining children’s place in and response to the world around them. Her radical perspective offers a passionate yet clear-sighted engagement with youth, resonating with readers of all ages.
Her latest novel, translated into English as Untold Lessons (Pushkin Press, 2024) from the Italian original Tornare dal Bosco (Marsilio Editori, 2023) shortlisted for the Premio Strega, unfolds in a small Piedmontese village, blending themes of loss, guilt, and redemption through a surreal lens, as seen through the eyes of a young boy who unearths secrets in his world.
About the author
Maddalena Vaglio Tanet holds a PhD in Comparative Literature from Columbia University and has lived in Berlin and the Netherlands, where she currently works as a literary scout. Her 2023 novel Untold Lessons has been translated into multiple languages, with the English version published by Pushkin Press. She has received numerous accolades for her work, including the Segafredo Prize, and has been shortlisted for the Strega Prize, Fiesole Narrative Prize, and Flaiano Prize. In addition to her adult fiction, she is the author of three children’s books, two of which have been shortlisted for the Strega Kids Prize.
Featured Events
• Fresh Ink: What’s Novel in Fiction
A conversation on reimagining literary forms with authors David Aliaga and Chandrahas Choudhury, chaired by Michelle Philip.
• Big Stories for Small Readers: Writing for Children
A workshop with Vaglio Tanet exploring the craft of writing for young readers, with hands-on exercises and insights into the global children’s book industry. Participants engage with practical storytelling techniques and market dynamics across languages and cultures.
• The Little Festival: In Conversation with a Young Reader
A unique dialogue with Zera Parekh, a young reader, examining Vaglio Tanet’s work and the uncharted landscape of writing for children.
• Tea With Authors
An intimate, rotating tea gathering where Vaglio Tanet engages with aspiring writers in personal conversations.
Dates and Venue: November 15–17, 2024 | Literature Live! The Mumbai LitFest, NCPA
The festival programme is available at: www.litlive.in