Safe Return Doubtful

Published 2024 – also titled Dear Teacher – translated from the Italian by Jill Foulston

Nominated last year for Italy’s most prestigious literary prize, the Premio Strega, this is a tense and dark novel about the death of a young pupil in a small village in the Italian Alps, and the aftermath.

The student’s teacher then goes missing and the search by the authorities and the residents of the village that follows unearths emotions and secrets that would have been better left hidden.

It’s an intense story that far exceeds expectations by the depth Tanet gives to her characters, and the language used, which is often lyrical and sometimes cruel. She writes particularly well about the symbolic connection between the forest and life’s experiences, such as death and growing up, with the refreshing view of a child.

It is based on a true story, pieced together from newspaper clippings, community gossip, and family tales, and currently being adapted for the screen.
Highly recommended.

My GoodReads score 4 / 5