A new book has just been published on the internet with Barga at its very heart.
The book entitled ‘The Bat of Barga ” was written by Barga resident Jenny Want and is according to the short description on the website (here) – A lyrical and fascinating modern fairy tale of mystery and magic set in Northern Tuscany. It is charming and evokes the old fashioned values from traditional tales of yesteryear. It contains a moral reminder of times past within a fascinating story which will enthral young children everywhere.
After many years as a teacher, I have now retired to my beloved Italy where I now have the time to fulfil a long held ambition to write. This is my first attempt at children’s fiction, although I am currently engaged in writing two educational books. – Jenny Want
Pip and Pippa, two English children discover a secret bookshop whilst on holiday in Barga. There they meet Rinaldo, an old man who is sadly disappointed by modern children’s lost belief in magic. There they also meet Pippi, a young bat who has discovered that the mountains near the town are moving slowly towards it, threatening its’ destruction. Wonder of wonders! Pippi can talk to them and they to him. Together with Rinaldo and Pippi they discover the evil behind this phenomenon and set about righting the wrong.
A short excerpt can be read below and the book can be bought on line here
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Barga is a small, historic town in northern Tuscany, a region of Italy. It is set on a hillside, as many old towns were, for protection against enemies. Often high walls surrounded these towns and Barga is no exception, as anyone going there can see.
So, old Barga sits proudly on its hill, looking down over the valley of the River Serchio and across to the mountains of the Apuan Alps. Behind the town rise the Apennine Mountains. It is a beautiful and quiet place, with a sense of timelessness and magic.
Standing at the very top of Barga is the cathedral, which is called the Duomo in Italian. In front of the Duomo is a large open space, paved with huge stones, from where you can see the Apuan Alps in all their beauty, on a clear day.
Below the Duomo the town descends the hill in a series of narrow roads and steep flights of steps that criss-cross each other. Little alleyways lead off in all directions, some leading to yet more flights of steps, and others leading nowhere at all.
It is a town set in the world of today and also of years gone by. The people, too, are a little like that, especially those whose families have lived in or near Barga for hundreds of years. They remember the old ways. Many still follow the old ways; planting their vegetables according to the phases of the moon, using the countryside around them to provide many of their needs. The countryside around has also provided them with many legends and stories of magic and mystery.
But, as in so many places, many of these stories and legends have been lost; forgotten with the passage of time because people, especially children, have lost their interest and belief in them. Who on earth could be interested in silly old stories that tell of magic and Happy Ever After when you could be playing with your electronic toys or watching a new DVD?
In one of the little alleyways that lead nowhere was a tiny shop. It had a big old wooden door and a small window that was filled with books; books for grown ups, books for children, new books, old books, interesting books and, probably, some boring books too.
When the door was pushed open a little bell tinkled merrily announcing the arrival of someone. Inside the tiny shop were shelves filled to overflowing with even more books.
Purchase this book to continue reading. Show the author you appreciate their work!
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