FROM THE INTERNATIONALLY BESTSELLING AUTHOR‘Aciman pieces together a rich tapestry of human emotion in a way few other contemporary writers can match.’ DAZED''Transporting . . . sensusous.'' OBSERVER''Compelling and witty.'' NEW STATESMAN1960s Rome. 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.