The Lion's Mouth

Venera Fazio is a social worker and freelance writer in Rothesay, N.B.

This is a reissue of Caterina Edwards’s novel, which was published in
1982. Since that time, Edwards has published a play (Homeground), a book
of novellas (Whiter Shade of Pale / Becoming Emma), and numerous short
stories in literary magazines and anthologies.

In this novel, Bianca, an Italian-Canadian woman, receives news from
her Venetian aunt of her cousin Marco’s emotional breakdown. More than
a cousin, Marco is Bianca’s childhood and adolescent love. Over the
years, her feelings for him are transformed into a writer’s obsession.
He is the subject of three failed novels. Her aunt’s letter motivates
her to write a fourth book, telling Marco’s story as well as her own.

The author alternates, by sections, between the lives of Marco in
Venice and Bianca in Edmonton. Marco is an accomplished architect, in
poor health, with family problems and troubling war memories. Against
his wishes, he becomes involved in an espionage plot. Bianca’s life is
less complicated; she has a lonely, painful immigrant story to tell.
Both characters are absorbing, realistic individuals. Equally authentic
are the details of the two cities and cultures. The only false note is
the somewhat contrived espionage plot.

This book will appeal to readers who enjoy a psychological novel and/or
who are interested in Italian and Italian-Canadian culture and
immigration.