The elegant and insightful memoir from the bestselling author of Call Me By Your Name, Find Meand The Gentleman From Peru. Rome, 1960s. As teenage André stands on the dock, his mother fusses over their luggage 32 suitcases, trunks and tea chests that contain their world. The ship will refuel and return to Alexandria, the home where they have left their father, as the Aciman family begin a new adventure in Rome. André is now head of the family, with a little brother to keep in line and a mother to translate for for although she's mute, she is nothing if not communicative.