Inner Strength and the Power of Words- There Was a Time for Such a Word

Oct 19, 2025 by Two Sues On the Aisle

By Two Sues on the Aisle, Susie Rosenbluth and Sue Weston

The powerful historical fiction There Was a Time for Such a Word shares an unusual perspective of an illiterate Italian pig header and his friendship with a Jewish boy from Naples. Set in 1942 in a small Italian village, the novel follows Davide, a child with a deformity who was abused by his father and ostracized by his peers.

Written by Gianni Solla and translated by Richard Dixon, the novel delves into themes of friendship, betrayal, guilt, and the transformative power of language, in a story that explores the relationship between the two boys and the girl they both loved. A connection that lasted a lifetime.

Fear of Strangers

Davide lived in a closed community that feared outsiders. It was populated only by elderly women and children, since all the able-bodied men were at war. When news arrived about the transport, people became wary. Rumors circulated, as people wondered why Jews would be sent to their village. They concluded that ‘They could not be sent to war, and they don’t want to let them wander free.’

A group of three boys decided to protect the community and took matters into their own hands to discourage the Jews from staying. They asked Davide to join them in attacking the Jews at night, assuming incorrectly that, as a pig keeper, he would be accustomed to violence.

This attack was Davide’s first interaction with Nicolas. He was surprised that neither Nicolas nor his father fought back or defended themselves, only covering their face with their hands.

Lasting Friendships

Because Davide lived outside the community, he did not attend school and had very few friends. Teresa, who worked for her father as a bookkeeper, taught Davide how to write simple words and numbers. Later, Nicolas’ father would invite Davide to attend his underground school, and he taught Davide to read, opening his eyes to the world of possibilities.

Nicolas, Teresa, and Davide became a trio who explored the forests together. They grew closer, and they found themselves navigating the perilous and emotional terrain of adolescence. Unforeseen events forced Davide to flee the village, leaving his friends and everything he knew behind.

His work ethic, combined with his knowledge of words and numbers, enabled him to find employment. Finally ending up in Naples, where, amid bombed-out rubble, he found back-alley theaters where he discovered the power of storytelling. When he was invited to read from a script as a substitute, Davide channeled memories of Nicolas reciting passages to his father, and that helped him become a successful performer.

Much later, Davide would create his own monologues and share his story.

Powerful and Impactful

There Was a Time for Such a Word shows the strength and fortitude needed to rewrite one’s destiny. Davide continuously pushed himself to learn. He found the inner force to leave his village and family, and to build a new life. He completely transformed himself, physically, socially, and intellectually.

Davide discovered a path forward without malice or hatred. He never stopped believing that his friends had survived, and that they would reconnect.

There Was a Time for Such a Word shows the essence of humanity – compassion, forgiveness, and friendship. It focuses on three adolescents, each dealing with complicated situations. Whose deep emotional connection transcended time, forgave differences, and the power of words and storytelling.

Two Sues on the Aisle bases its ratings on how many challahs (1-5) it pays to buy (rather than make) to see the play, show, film, book, or exhibit being reviewed.

There was a Time for Such a Word, received 4 Challahs.

four challah rating