A Man of Few Words
The Bricklayer of Auschwitz Who Saved Primo Levi
Will be published approx. on 6. November 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
256 pages
978-1-908906-65-6 (ISBN)
Description
'Nobody knows how much I owe that man,' Primo Levi said of the bricklayer who saved his life at Auschwitz-Birkenau. For six months, Lorenzo Perrone risked his own life to smuggle food, letters and clothing to prisoners. Without Perrone, Levi could not have survived and the world would have been deprived of his writing.
In A Man of Few Words, Carlo Greppi pieces together the life of Perrone, a near destitute labourer with little formal education. Despite their stark differences, Levi and Perrone's friendship continued until Perrone's tragic death. Levi never forgot Perrone. He tried persistently to preserve the memory of this man of few words who had saved his life, but who left few traces of his own behind.
Compassionate, worldly and prescient, Greppi brings to light a universal story about an individual who kept hope alive in one of the darkest times and places known to man.
In A Man of Few Words, Carlo Greppi pieces together the life of Perrone, a near destitute labourer with little formal education. Despite their stark differences, Levi and Perrone's friendship continued until Perrone's tragic death. Levi never forgot Perrone. He tried persistently to preserve the memory of this man of few words who had saved his life, but who left few traces of his own behind.
Compassionate, worldly and prescient, Greppi brings to light a universal story about an individual who kept hope alive in one of the darkest times and places known to man.
Reviews / Votes
'Much to admire ... an intriguing study of Lorenzo Perrone, the bricklayer who helped the famous author survive Auschwitz.' -- The Observer 'Lucid, carefully researched pages ... Greppi's biography, from start to finish a marvel of sympathetic insight, is a valuable addition to Levi's writings on the human infamy that was Auschwitz.' -- Time Literary Supplement 'This is a great book: scrupulously researched and superbly written.' -- Ian Thomson, author of Primo Levi: A Life 'Read it twice, this splendid book: the first time to get to know Lorenzo and his story; the second time to get to know yourself and your memory.' -- Francesco Filippi, author of Mussolini Also Did a Lot of Good 'A thoroughly moving read. Out of utter degradation, this inspiring story emerges to remind us that the spark of human decency can never be crushed.' -- Julia Boyd 'Sheds light on an unsung hero ... a fluent retelling.' -- The Jewish Chronicle 'Levi's greatest piece of luck in Auschwitz was meeting Lorenzo, who kept him alive when he was hanging on to life by a thread.' -- Literary Review '[A Man of Few Words] is a meticulously researched biography.' * The Gibraltar Chronicle *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Saqi Books
Illustrations
17 Illustrations, black and white
Dimensions
Height: 198 mm
Width: 129 mm
Thickness: 40 mm
Weight
350 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-908906-65-6 (9781908906656)
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Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Carlo Greppi (1982) is a historian at the University of Turin and author of numerous essays on the history of the twentieth century. For Laterza, he is the editor of the series 'Fact Checking: History Under the Test of Facts'. His latest book is Il Buon Tedesco (2021, Fiuggi History Award 2021; Giacomo Matteotti Award 2022) which sold 10,000+ copies.
Howard Curtis (1949) is a British translator of French, Italian and Spanish fiction. He has translated works by the likes of Gianrico Carofiglio, Lluis Quintana-Murci, Beppe Fenoglio and Georges Simenon. His translations have won the John Florio Prize, Premio Campiello Europa, the Marsh Award for Children's Literature in Translation, and been shortlisted for the Independent Foreign Fiction Prize, Oxford-Weidenfeld Translation Prize and Best Translated Book Award among many others.
Howard Curtis (1949) is a British translator of French, Italian and Spanish fiction. He has translated works by the likes of Gianrico Carofiglio, Lluis Quintana-Murci, Beppe Fenoglio and Georges Simenon. His translations have won the John Florio Prize, Premio Campiello Europa, the Marsh Award for Children's Literature in Translation, and been shortlisted for the Independent Foreign Fiction Prize, Oxford-Weidenfeld Translation Prize and Best Translated Book Award among many others.