Eva schläft

A story of belonging and of independence.
Of a mother and her daughter, and of a whole region.

South Tyrol / Aldo Adige was given to Italy after the first world war. Over the next couple of decades Italy tried to rule over and make sense of this new province that looked and sounded so very Austrian. In a typical first move for annexed territories worldwide the Italian government moved in a bunch of Italians to dilute the population, and tried to suppress the local language (mainly German, but also Ladin). Locals reverted to secret schools to teach their children their mother tongue. The second world war and Austria's annexation by Hitler presented the South Tyrolians with an ultimatum of loyalty (the ‘option'), and the 60ies and 70ies were marked by attacks from terrorist groups fighting for the region's independence.

Guiding us through the history of the region is the story of Gerda and Eva. Beautiful Gerda who stands up against conventions and raises her daughter Eva fatherless. And Eva who follows her mother's example of independence, but who also secretly laments the loss of the only man she every came close to regarding as a father.

As people constantly questioned to choose their allegiance (see WWII options, or the ‘Sprachgruppenzugehörigkeitserklärung' in the 70ies), I really liked the answer the novel ultimately gives: that South Tyrolians see themselves as neither Austrian nor Italian, but rather belonging to the Alpine folk of this wider region that encompasses South Tyrol, Tyrol and even some of Bavaria.

As an Austrian who grew up after South Tyrol's fight for independence made waves, this was a fascinating and very educational read for me. Even though I found Vito's story came a bit late, considering how much of Eva's travel hinges on it, the ending ultimately really got to me.