FROM THE INTERNATIONALLY BESTSELLING AUTHOR 'There is a warmth and a humanity in Aciman's prose that enraptures with its slow, easy embrace.' FINANCIAL TIMES 'Aciman's evocation of emotional subtlety and time passing is wonderful.' GUARDIAN 'Aciman pieces together a rich tapestry of human emotion in a way few other contemporary writers can match.' DAZED Rome, 1960s. As teenage André stands on the dock, his mother fusses over their luggage - 32 suitcases, trunks and tea chests that contain their world. The ship will refuel and return to Alexandria, the home where they have left their father, as the Aciman family begin a new adventure in Rome. André is now head of the family, with a little brother to keep in line and a mother to translate for - for although she's mute, she is nothing if not communicative. Equal parts transporting and beautiful, this coming of age memoir shares the luminous, fragile truth of life for a family forever in exile, living in Rome, but still yet to find a home.