About the book
It is 1756. In a mountain village outside Venice, 13-year-old Anna Maria Bonon lives with her grandmother and her father, Giacomo. In the daytime, she cards wool at the local mill. At home, she raises silk worms. Giacomo is one of the forestieri (outsiders) in the community, scrambling for work, drinking his sorrows away at the osteria, stealing by the cover of night. When he is arrested for attempted murder, Anna Maria discovers her voice and the courage to tell her story. She walks 29 kilometres to Vicenza and accuses him of rape. The Council of Ten arrive from Venice to investigate.Challenged by her grandmother and the priest, Anna Maria is torn between loyalty to her elders and telling her truth. She must decide whether to affirm her original story or deny it. Will she choose her own safety and justice over the survival of her family?Drawing closely on original trial documents from the Venetian archives, prize-winning novelist Christine Balint brings to life a court case unique for its time, with important echoes to the present day.
Editions of A Single Witness
- Paperback
- ISBN 9781922964342
Read an Excerpt
It is 1756. In a mountain village outside Venice, 13-year-old Anna Maria Bonon lives with her grandmother and her father, Giacomo. In the daytime, she cards wool at the local mill. At home, she raises silk worms. Giacomo is one of the forestieri (outsiders) in the community, scrambling for work, drinking his sorrows away at the osteria, stealing by the cover of night. When he is arrested for attempted murder, Anna Maria discovers her voice and the courage to tell her story. She walks 29 kilometres to Vicenza and accuses him of rape. The Council of Ten arrive from Venice to investigate.Challenged by her grandmother and the priest, Anna Maria is torn between loyalty to her elders and telling her truth. She must decide whether to affirm her original story or deny it. Will she choose her own safety and justice over the survival of her family?Drawing closely on original trial documents from the Venetian archives, prize-winning novelist Christine Balint brings to life a court case unique for its time, with important echoes to the present day.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is A Single Witness about?
It is 1756. In a mountain village outside Venice, 13-year-old Anna Maria Bonon lives with her grandmother and her father, Giacomo. In the daytime, she cards wool at the local mill. At home, she raises silk worms. Giacomo is one of the forestieri (outsiders) in the community, scrambling for work, drinking his sorrows away at the osteria, stealing by the cover of night. When he is arrested for attempted murder, Anna Maria discovers her voice and the courage to tell her story. She walks 29 kilometres to Vicenza and accuses him of rape. The Council of Ten arrive from Venice to investigate.Challenged by her grandmother and the priest, Anna Maria is torn between loyalty to her elders and telling her truth. She must decide whether to affirm her original story or deny it. Will she choose her own safety and justice over the survival of her family?Drawing closely on original trial documents from the Venetian archives, prize-winning novelist Christine Balint brings to life a court case unique for its time, with important echoes to the present day.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in A Single Witness?
Fiction > Historical fiction
Where can I read a sample of A Single Witness?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781922964342
How long is A Single Witness and how many pages does it have?
A Single Witness has 320 page(s)
Who is/are the Author/s of the book A Single Witness?
Christine Balint
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
A Single Witness is available as paperback(ISBN 9781922964342)
Where can I buy A Single Witness online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy A Single Witness from below
Is there a video of the book?
Watch a video about A Single Witness here
Where can I buy A Single Witness?