Acabadora by Michela Murgia

Set in a small Sardinian village, this poignant narrative explores themes of life, death, and the bonds that tie us together. The story follows Maria, a young girl adopted by Bonaria Urrai, a seamstress who secretly serves as an "Acabadora," a traditional figure who assists in ending the lives of the terminally ill. As Maria grows up under Bonaria's care, she becomes entangled in the moral complexities of her adoptive mother's clandestine role, leading her to question the nature of mercy, the weight of tradition, and the essence of family. Through evocative prose, the tale delves into the delicate balance between compassion and duty, painting a vivid portrait of a community grappling with its own beliefs and customs.

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