An Italian Adventure (The Italian Saga, Vol. 1) — Audiobook

"A lighthearted but affecting narrative of childhood’s many changes." Kirkus Reviews

International Book Awards Finalist

Readers' Choice Book Awards 5-star ribbon Winner

Readers' Favorite Honorable Mention

From award-winning author and Ph.D. Gaia B Amman, comes a tale of chosen family, love, and resilience.

"Anne of Green Gables meets The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood."

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Narrated by the Author, Gaia B. Amman, Ph.D.

Experience the award-winning, Kirkus-Recommended "Coming-of-Gender" Story in the Author's Own Voice.

An adult magazine at eight?!

1980s Northern Italy. Lee (Leda Balni) is a tomboy whose carefully ordered world is shaken on the eve of her First Confession. When her nemesis, a Sicilian transplant named Nico, shares the startling discovery of an adult magazine, a firestorm of shame triggers questions about an identity Leda doesn't yet have a name for. And how is she going to confess seeing pornography to a priest—at 8?!

As fate forces these two outcasts together, a fierce antagonism slowly tempers into a rare kinship. Together, they navigate a cultural landscape defined by silence, rigid tradition, and hypocrisy to find a truth all their own.

Nonbinary Anne of Green Gables meets The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood.

Why Listen to the Audiobook?

• AUTHENTIC "OWN VOICES": Hear the story exactly as it was meant to be told. Narrated by author Gaia B. Amman, Ph.D., this performance brings the nuances of Italian culture and the emotional weight of Lee’s journey to life with unrivaled intimacy.
• 80s NOSTALGIA: A vivid, immersive audio trip to Northern Italy during a decade of analog secrets and transition.
• POIGNANT & HUMOROUS: An astute, lighthearted, yet deeply affecting narrative of childhood’s many changes.

Product Details:

• Format: Digital Audiobook (MP3)
• Length: 5 hr 27 min
• Delivery: Instant delivery via BookFunnel. Listen on any device using the BookFunnel App (available on iOS, Android, and Kindle Fire for free).
• Series: Volume 1 of The Italian Saga.

🎧 + 📖 Bundle & Save! Get 20% off when you buy the Ebook and Audiobook together. Check the bundle offer here to start your journey.

Critical Praise for An Italian Adventure:

“…Amman’s novel astutely examines such themes as religion, sexuality, family relations, and gender…A lighthearted but affecting narrative of childhood’s many changes.”—Kirkus Reviews Magazine, recommended



“Gaia B. Amman’s An Italian Adventure is wonderful literary fiction, and Amman writes about childhood with the speed and embarrassment of actually being inside it. Her sense of place is one of the book’s greatest pleasures.”—Readers’ Favorite Awards, 5-star ribbon

“…A fresh take on realistic fiction for youth. Sociologically relevant.”—J. Hall, Professor of Education

“…I could not stop reading and can't wait for more!”—Amy Joslyn, librarian and children's literacy advocate

“…Absolutely delightful!”—L. Dickson, Books Direct

“Wide beyond her years. Excellent job. Side-splitting laughter…”—Angie Readaholic

“…Electrifying!”—5 Girls Book Reviews

“Leda has captured my heart! This was a wonderfully fun, well-drawn read…”—D. Munier, Author

“…Insightful and funny, I loved it!”—Paul Schwartzmeyer, Author

“…Touching and skillful, a masterful execution.”—Neil Daniel, Author 

“…I have never been to Italy, but the writing transported me there and moved the story along at the perfect pace. Laced with humor.”—G. Whyte, Author 

“…A wonderful read full of hope! This is a delightful 5-star novel that moves far beyond the play of childhood. Hard questions are posed as the plot unveils the possibilities.”—CB Ainsworthe, Author

“Well written, fun, real!”—S. Byrde, Author