In the quiet halls of a Piedmontese abbey in 1986, an elderly man lies on his deathbed, having spent forty years in voluntary seclusion. His devotion is not to God, but to her—a sculpture so controversial that the Vatican chose to hide it from the world. This is the haunting beginning of "Cuidar de ella," a Spanish novel that weaves together art, history, and the profound connections that transcend physical limitations.
Mimo and Viola could not have been more different. Born into poverty and exploited by his alcoholic uncle, Mimo's dwarfism never diminished his gift for shaping marble into breathtaking art. Viola, from one of Liguria's most powerful families, was a rebel in an era deeply rooted in patriarchy, dreaming of a life beyond the constraints of her time. Yet these two souls, each trapped in their own bodies, found a connection that would span decades and withstand the turmoil of history.
Set during the first half of the twentieth century, their extraordinary friendship unfolds against the backdrop of two world wars, the rise of fascism, and Mussolini's totalitarian regime. The narrative captures not just their personal struggles but the larger historical forces that shaped their lives. Despite separations, disagreements, and the chaos of their times, their bond remains unbroken—what Viola calls their "cosmic twin" connection.
This is more than just a story about sculpture or historical events. It's about the power of art to express what words cannot, about the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity, and about how true connections can transcend even the most difficult circumstances. Mimo's masterpiece and his devotion to "her" become symbols of hope and perseverance in a world often defined by division and destruction.
