Enchantments

The narrator of Linda Ferris charismatic debut is a fortunate daughter growing up with her family in Italy and France leading a life of wonder and plenty. There is horseback riding. There are late-night ice cream runs. There are neighbors friends and eventually boys. For the time being suffering means tickle torture a lost turtle or a bossy friend. But as she grows the world around her begins to sharpen. Shadows appear and doubts begin to creep. And finally the dangers of the adult world come into full view first with the Paris riots of May 1968 and then when tragedy strikes much closer to home.Refreshingly joyful full of the things that children do Enchantments is also something much more profound: an exploration of the lasting significance of the impressions of our youth.