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Welsh-Italian family history inspires debut novel

A memorial will was unveiled in Cardiff on the 70th anniversary of the sinking of the Arandora Star, when 500 Italian internees lost their lives in World War II. The new novel The Hokey Pokey Man touches on that tragedy which affected the lives of very many Welsh-Italians.

This debut novel is an emotional family saga spanning generations and set against the backdrop of two world wars in Europe. The Hokey Pokey Man follows the fortunes of Tino, a young peasant boy from the sunny mountains of southern Italy, whose destiny lies in the bustling city of London and the vibrant seaside town of Swansea. This compelling story is touched with poignancy, a bitter-sweet account of love and loss, shattered dreams and irredeemable regrets. Yet it is alive with laughter and hope for the future, a colourful journey of personal growth for Tino with a promise of great rewards. But will it also cost him the things he values above all else – the love of his sweetheart Mara and the safety and happiness of his family in Italy?

The author Anita Arcari says, “There have been books written about Italy and others about Italians in the UK, but to my knowledge, no-one has ever written about simultaneous events in both countries in any depth. The Hokey Pokey Man also delivers a strong sense of setting, and demonstrates how the rugged beauty of the Italian mountains and simple life style shapes the main character's innocent personality. This contrasts strongly with the lifestyle he is forced ot adopt when he comes to the UK – London, then Wales.”

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