Tales of Life and Surroundings - by Maria Teresa De Donato - Review by Elisa Rubini

 

Tales of Life and Surroundings

A collection of short stories by Maria Teresa De Donato

 

Review by Elisa Rubini

 

Some books arrive silently and then stay with you, like a voice you can't stop hearing. Tales of Life and Surroundings is like that. A collection of twenty short stories that don't claim to change the world, but that touch you inside, leaving you with something specific: the feeling of having shared a piece of real life.

 

The first impression, reading, is one of warmth. You find no rigid constructions, no detachment. You see empathy, you find the desire to communicate. Maria Teresa De Donato writes with a close, almost familiar tone and seems to speak directly to you. Each story transports you to a different atmosphere, but the voice remains constant: sincere, affectionate, never cold.

 

The twenty stories have it all: the humor that emerges from minor, everyday incidents, the nostalgia that doesn't hurt but consoles, the irony that lightens, and then the tenderness that arrives suddenly. Read and you feel like you're reliving your own moments. Sometimes you laugh, sometimes you find yourself thinking about something you'd forgotten, sometimes you're moved. This is a sign that writing works, because it triggers memories and thoughts.

 

The central theme, the one that always returns, is encounters with others. Not exceptional encounters, but everyday ones: a conversation, a journey, an unexpected gesture. Every person who enters your life leaves a mark, and the stories demonstrate it. There's a constant exchange, both cultural and human, that turns into richness. It's a simple and powerful message: alone we survive, but together we truly live.

 

Nostalgia pervades many pages, but it's not regret. It's a grateful memory. Memories that, from a distance, take on a new meaning, scenes that seemed small now appear as lessons. This nostalgia doesn't crush you; it warms you. It's proof that even seemingly insignificant moments, viewed in hindsight, are precious gems.

 

And then there's lightness. Not the banal kind, but the kind that allows you to face serious things without heaviness. The author knows how to balance her tone: she makes you smile where it matters, she makes you reflect without weighing you down, and she reminds you that laughing and crying are often two sides of the same experience. Some stories seem like little comic sketches, but behind them, they always hide a lesson, a nuance that endures.

 

The style is simple, direct, and straightforward. There are no unnecessary artifices, no attempt to impress with complicated words. It's a language that brings people together, making stories accessible to everyone. This clarity is a rare quality: the writing never shows off, but rather leaves room for stories and emotions.

 

A subtle thread runs through the entire collection: the invitation to live consciously. "Carpe diem" here isn't an overused slogan, but a proper approach to life. See the world with new eyes, like a child in wonder, never stop learning. This message returns, in different forms, to multiple stories. And it's what stays with you once you close the book.

 

Variety is another strong point. Some stories are quick, intense, like flashes of lightning. Others are longer, giving you time to delve into the details. This alternating pace keeps your attention and allows you to modulate your reading: you can enjoy one story at a time, or let yourself be drawn into a sequence. Either way, there's no monotony.

 

Another merit of the collection is the balance between lightness and depth. It never slips into rhetoric, but it never remains superficial either. Every story, even the shortest, leaves something behind. Sometimes it's a smile, sometimes a reflection, a memory that resurfaces. It's proof that the short story still has enormous power, even if it's often underestimated.

 

When you reach the last page, you're left with more than just the memory of individual episodes. You're left with an overall feeling: an invitation to live better, with attention, and with openness toward others. This is the gift of the book. Not just entertainment, but a companion that reminds you to stop, observe, and breathe life in all its forms.

 

Tales of Life and Surroundings is a warm, comforting, and entertaining read. It's a book you can read in one sitting or keep on your bedside table, to open now and then when you need a little light. It's simple and profound at the same time. It's authentic.