Paolo Garelli
We begin this review by thanking Aliberti Compagnia Editoriale and Andrea Angiolino for allowing us to try Non Sono Stati Loro. This is a gamebook that will make us experience the world from the point of view of a child. You understood correctly, our protagonist will only be 12 years old and our experiences will obviously be filtered through his eyes.
The gamebook is promoted by the Villa Montesca Study Center Foundation and was born from the idea of bringing a tool to address the issue of anti-Semitism into primary schools. The project is called Relation and by following the link you can delve deeper into the topic and peek at the digital copy of the gamebook.
If you want a copy of this work, know that you can find it on the main online stores at a cost of €16.90.
A First Look at Non Sono Stati Loro
We find in our hands a game book of 325 paragraphs, with which the author transports us to the Florence of 1464. We will experience a reality expertly reconstructed through a meticulous search for details and insights. All this allows us to approach a very current topic, that of prejudice, through the eyes of a child.
In fact, Non Sono Stati Loro contains several paragraphs that allow the reader to delve deeper into many aspects of Jewish culture. The gamebook clearly touches on the theme of anti-Semitism, but does so on tiptoe. Inside there are several black and white illustrations by Alessandro Bacchetta that accompany us perfectly in reading.
The Plot of Non Sono Stati Loro
Non Sono Stati Loro, as I wrote previously, touches on the theme of discrimination and does so through the story of the daily lives of its protagonists. In fact, there will be no dragons or monsters waiting for us, but much more difficult enemies that each of us has faced in some way in our lives. Punishments, interrogations, and tasks to be done as soon as possible. We have all been children like Demetrio, and seeing the world through those eyes again was interesting.
The plot revolves around a crime to be solved. The suspects will be different and, as usual, the adults have already decided who is to blame. It will be up to us to decide whether to get involved and help those who, without having done anything, have already been chosen as the culprits.
Review of the Mechanics of Non Sono Stati Loro
This gamebook has a really simple regulation, which is based on the use of letters to define whether or not certain paragraphs can be read.
For example, at the end of reading a certain paragraph we will be asked to mark the letter A on our card. This will then allow us to access a certain paragraph at other points in the game book. Nothing complicated, given that the central theme is narrative and the author has decided not to burden it with dice rolls or statistics to compare.
Conclusions of the Review
Non Sono Stati Loro is a really interesting gamebook. In addition to allowing me to delve deeper into certain aspects of Jewish culture, it allowed me to step into the shoes of a twelve-year-old for the first time.
As I have already said, the gamebook will show us without ever exaggerating the most absurd aspects of discrimination and mistrust caused by fear and ignorance.
I recommend Non Sono Stati Loro to all those who want to try a different investigative adventure than usual.
