Synopsis: Angelo is a craftsman, who has spent his life restoring the walls of Rome’s churches. One day at work he finds an injured pigeon on a ledge, and in spite of his professional objection to the birds, he hasn’t the heart to abandon her. As the old man nurses the bird back to health, a touching, lifelong friendship is formed.

Review: This is a gentle story about old age and friendship, with a very real sense of place. Sepia lines and soft watercolours evoke the terracotta rooftops and earthy colours of Rome and the surrounding countryside. These are the soft autumnal colours seen by Angelo, with his bird’s eye view from the church façade, and they seem fitting for the story of a man in his final years

. The pace of the story encourages one to linger over the illustrations, many of which include humorous details, such as the makeshift hospital bed which Angelo fashions for the injured pigeon. Unfortunately, one such image, which seems to depict the hazardous Roman traffic, is perhaps a little confusing and might lead a child to wonder if a serious accident were taking place! However, most of the comic vignettes depict the antics of Sylvia, the pigeon as she first recovers and then performs dances and tricks to amuse Angelo. Although this comedy tips the story into implausibility, it does emphasize fun moments in the relationship between man and pigeon, which might otherwise seem too poignantly sad. The text, like Angelo’s stuccowork, and his care for the injured bird, is unhurried and crafted with skilful attention to detail. Angelo’s gradual slowing and his eventual death are described with great sensitivity, highlighting his concern about what will happen to Sylvia when he’s gone, and the importance of his work, which will live on.

 There is great tenderness in this story, as well as a message that if something is worth doing, it is worth doing well.

2008-08-28