Italian Book Club in Mumbai: One More Ride on the Merry-go-round by Tiziano Terzani

We are glad to announce that the next book for the Italian Book Club in Mumbai is One More Ride on the Merry-go-round / Un Altro Giro di Giostra by Tiziano Terzani. First published in Italy a few months before Terzani’s death in 2004, the English edition was released by HarperCollins India in 2016.

When diagnosed with cancer, Terzani, in the quiet of his hospital room, reflects on his life as a long, ticketless journey on a merry-go-round. But now, the ticket collector has come to demand his dues. Initially, he turns to Western medicine, but soon questions whether cancer is an enemy to be destroyed or a friend one could speak to. In search of answers, Terzani embarks on one final journey—this time to India, where every step becomes a choice between reason and faith, science and magic, as he seeks survival.

As he travels across India—from an ashram in Coimbatore to a humble hut in Almora —Terzani’s quest for a cure morphs into an inner journey, reconnecting him with the divine roots of humanity. Finally, gazing at the sunrise over the Himalayas, he discovers the elusive truth: death is as essential and eternal as life itself. This best-selling book offers a profound reflection on modern medicine, alternative healing, and the deeper meaning of mortality.

Terzani’s One More Ride on the Merry-go-round is a deeply moving exploration of life, death, and the search for spiritual truth.

Tiziano Terzani (1938-2004) was an Italian journalist and author, renowned for his in-depth reporting from Asia. Over his long career, Terzani worked as a correspondent for Der Spiegel and wrote several books on his travels and personal experiences. His works focus on cultural and political issues, and later, his reflections on life and death. He spent his final years meditating in the Himalayas and writing, before passing away in 2004.