Sara Ranalli
'The Carapace' is more than a collection of nineteen short stories: it is a journey through fragility, resilience, and the enduring power of words. At its heart is Fabrizio, a journalist who, faced with illness and the awareness of limited time, begins to chronicle a decisive year of his life. In the pages of his diary, he gathers voices, memories, and encounters, weaving them into stories that speak to the universal search for meaning. The title itself evokes a powerful image: the protective shell of turtles or seashells, which outlasts the creature it once shielded. For Fabrizio, the carapace becomes both armour against his struggle and a symbol of the legacy he hopes to leave behind. Within this frame, the short stories unfold as 'tales within the tale,' each exploring the beauty and contradictions of human existence. Free of moral judgement, they offer glimpses of a world that, though complex and often harsh, still reveals moments of light, when people find the courage to trust again in emotions, relationships, and life itself. With clarity and empathy, this work reminds us that even in vulnerability lies a strength that endures.
