Pistola

Gripping but humorous, this novel is based on the historic episode in the fifties when 110 young Italian men were recruited to work on the South African Railways, and later introduced Italian food to the nation.

The friend who saved Pistola from drowning in their Italian village is now in danger in South Africa where in the fifties they worked as train stewards. Ten years later Pistola is running a restaurant in the historic Italian villa he inherited, but feels he has to go and help his friend in the country where the apartheid Government is holding the Rivonia Trial. It's a fateful decision.

Meanwhile village stalwarts, the local butcher, pig farmer, coffin maker and hunter, have reasons to feel indebted to that faraway boy in trouble, in spite of skepticism about a continent they regard as a cesspool of crooks and villains.

Pistola's departure is followed by drama back home. The fallout involves not only his charismatic grandfather Nonno Mario and South African stepmother who's in Italy to sell her Pinotage, but also Nonno Mario's vindictive former restaurant partner. She has her own feud with Pistola. Her revenge will take place when least expected.