Monica Cantieni: The Encyclopaedia of Good Reasons

"My father bought me from the council for 363 francs," recalls the young female narrator in Monica Cantieni's debut novel The Encyclopaedia of Good Reasons, or Grunschnabel as it is known in its original language.  Set in the time of the 1970 Swiss referendum on immigration, Cantieni uses humour and warmth to introduce us to a host of colourful characters who struggle to make Switzerland their home: Eli, the Spanish bricklayer; Toni, the Lialian factory worker with movie star looks; Madame Jelisaweta, the Yugoslav hairdresser; and Milena, the mysteriour girl in the wardrobe.

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