ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Giovanni Toscano's novel 'Il guinzaglio' explores youth and relationships

publication · 2026-05-05

Giovanni Toscano's debut novel 'Il guinzaglio' (Fandango, 2021) follows Michele, a young man returning to the Pisan hills for summer after three years in northern Italy. His long-distance relationship feels strained, but his dog Ulisse leads him to Léa, a French-Italian girl, and her pool. A gathering with family and friends unfolds, marked by wine and conversation, while a wildfire threatens the area. The book examines the constraints of relationships in one's twenties.

Key facts

  • Giovanni Toscano wrote the novel 'Il guinzaglio'.
  • Published by Fandango in 2021.
  • Protagonist Michele returns to the Pisan hills for summer.
  • Michele's dog Ulisse leads him to Léa's house.
  • Léa is a French-Italian girl of the same age.
  • A wildfire endangers the group.
  • The novel explores doubts of being twenty and tied by 'guinzagli' (leashes) in relationships.
  • Article by Antonia De Francesco for MIfacciodiCultura.

Entities

Artists

  • Giovanni Toscano
  • Antonia De Francesco

Institutions

  • Fandango
  • MIfacciodiCultura
  • Artspecialday

Locations

  • Pisan hills
  • Italy

Sources