Why So Distant? — Giancarlo Gabbrielli

Giancarlo Gabbrielli was born in Florence, Italy, and went to school at the Istituto Tecnico Pacinotti of Pisa. Then, after a few years with a special department of the Italian Air Force, and Missiles training in the United States he emigrated to Canada where, after a few years at the University of Manitoba, he began a commercial activity. At the same time, he contributed editorials and socio-political essays to Italo-Canadian newspapers. He then began to write novels with historical content and has now completed his 13th manuscript. Of these, six are part of the Lanzis saga, three are love stories, two are collections of short stories and two relate the political and military struggle of Italy in the period of 1943-1945.

Why so Distant?

1964 to 1965

Disillusioned by his career in the Air Force and the bureaucratic corruption of "business Italian style," Roberto Lanzi dreams of a better life in Canada. He begs his wife Silvia to join him as soon as he can establish himself, and in spite of her fears for him and their unborn child, she reluctantly agrees.

Roberto sets out alone on his journey across the ocean, and discovers that despite his youth, technical qualifications and proficiency in English, no one wants to hire him. With funds quickly disappearing, he wonders if Canada will ever offer him a chance to prove himself.

This moving, deeply personal account of one man's struggle to adapt to a strange country reveals the strength, perseverance and determination required to build a new life. Through hard work and a little luck when he needs it most, Roberto discovers unexpected avenues to success, and what it means to create a home.