Antonio Casella

Antonio Casella was born in Italy and migrated to Australia with his family at age 15. Unable to speak English he took on a laboring job and studied English at night school. Ten years later he enrolled at the University of Western Australia to study Literature. Some years later he published his first novel.

Southfalia

This work, partly written during his university years, was an angry response to the sacking of Australian prime minister, Gough Whitlam. It’s a historical fantasy, set in the sixteenth century on an imaginary island, where consumerism and corruption prevail. It tells the story of a visionary leader brought down by greed and a corrupt system. Even though it was written long ago, the apocalyptic ending delivers an ominous message that’s terrifying, given the state of the world today.

Man Fragmenting (First published under the title of, The Sensualist)

This is a larger work that traces the life and downfall of a successful migrant, Nick Amedeo. Over three scorching summer days Nick’s life unravels. His childhood in Sicily and his adult years in Australia come back to haunt him. Over a slowly turning, roasting pig, images from the past peer around the edge of memory like buried dreams. Long-suppressed traumas advance inexorably and overwhelm him. Man Fragmenting is divided into three parts: The Dog, the Pig and the Crab, animals that embody defining traits of the main character. Man Fragmenting has been translated into Italian under the title, Uomo Infranto.

An Olive Branch for Sante.

This novel also is set in Australia and Italy. Young journalist, Sara-Jane is excited to be sent to Sicily on an assignment. Years before, her mother’s best friend fled back to Sicily in obscure circumstances. Sara-Jane is eager to trace her whereabouts. She discovers that her connection with that country is far stronger than she had imagined. What she uncovers is disturbing, but ultimately life-enriching.

Men and Fathers

This work, which is completed but not yet published, is about the fast-changing role of the male through the decades. Paul Jacobs goes looking for his biological father whom he has not seen since he was a small child, and is utterly shocked by what he finds.