Finding Eternal Connection: A Journey Through "Watching Over Her" by Jean-Baptiste Andrea

Watching Over Her (Veiller Sur Elle, in the original) by Jean-Baptiste Andrea is a historical novel set in 20th-century Italy, spanning several decades. It follows Michelangelo "Mimo" Vitaliani, a poor sculptor born with dwarfism, who discovers his genius for sculpting despite a harsh upbringing under an alcoholic uncle. Mimo’s life intersects with Viola Orsini, a bold and ambitious aristocrat who defies the societal constraints placed on her as a woman. The two form an unbreakable bond, marked by a deep, often platonic love, as they navigate the turbulent backdrop of Italy’s descent into fascism, two world wars, and the influence of the Vatican.

The story begins in 1986, with an elderly Mimo dying in a monastery, reflecting on his life while watching over his final work—a mysterious Pietà statue that stirs intense emotions in viewers. Through his memories, the novel explores themes of art, love, and resilience, as Mimo rises to fame as a sculptor while grappling with personal losses and the compromises he makes, including working with fascists. Viola, meanwhile, strives for independence, challenging the norms of her time. Their relationship, a "cosmic twinship," endures separations and reunions, ultimately inspiring Mimo’s greatest creation. The narrative weaves blends Italian history, artistic passion, and the enduring power of human connection.

As I turned the final page of Jean-Baptiste Andrea's Watching Over Her, I found myself sitting in silence, allowing the emotional resonance of this remarkable story to settle within me. This novel, winner of the prestigious Prix Goncourt in 2023, transported me through the tumultuous landscape of 20th-century Italy with such vivid clarity that I could almost feel the cool marble beneath Mimo's skilled fingers and taste the freedom Viola so desperately sought in the open sky.

What captivated me most about this journey was Andrea's nuanced portrayal of the connection between two souls from vastly different worlds. Michelangelo "Mimo" Vitaliani emerges from humble beginnings with hands that seem divinely gifted for sculpture, while Viola Orsini burns with unconventional dreams from within her gilded aristocratic cage. Their relationship challenges our cultural obsession with categorising human bonds, offering instead something rarer and perhaps more profound.

I found myself reflecting on my own relationships that defy simple labels, connections that have shaped my understanding of loyalty and enduring presence. Isn't this what it means to truly "watch over" someone? To witness their struggles, celebrate their triumphs, and remain steadfast despite time and circumstance?

Andrea's exploration of artistic expression as a pathway to transcendence resonated deeply with me. Mimo's journey from apprentice to master, culminating in his controversial Pietà, speaks to the power of creation to bridge social divides and challenge established norms. Through his protagonist's hands, Andrea examines how art can simultaneously honour tradition while questioning it—a delicate balance that mirrors the relationship between personal expression and societal expectations.

The scenes of Mimo surpassing his master and later facing both praise and criticism from the Vatican reminded me of those pivotal moments in my own creative journey when I've had to find courage to express truth as I understand it, regardless of reception.

The historical backdrop of World War I and fascism's rise provides more than setting—it becomes a character itself, shaping and redirecting the protagonists' paths. Yet Andrea maintains an intimate focus, showing how grand historical movements manifest in individual lives. This interplay between personal narrative and sweeping historical change creates a reading experience that feels simultaneously expansive and deeply intimate.

I was particularly moved by the episode where Viola attempts to invent a paraglider decades before its time. This beautiful metaphor for human aspiration—the desire to transcend limitations before the world is ready—encapsulates the novel's exploration of dreams that arrive too early for their era.

While some readers might find Andrea's pacing deliberate, I appreciated the thoughtful progression and rich descriptive passages that allowed me to fully inhabit this world. The novel unfolds like a sculpture being revealed from marble - with patience, precision, and reverence for the material.

His prose carries a poetic sensibility that transforms even ordinary moments into occasions for reflection. Through Mimo and Viola's eyes, we witness how the quality of attention we bring to our experiences transforms them from mundane to sacred—a reminder I carry into my daily life.

What ultimately makes Watching Over so affecting is how it invites us to examine our own lives through its narrative lens. As I followed Mimo and Viola through triumphs and setbacks, I recognised familiar emotions: the yearning to transcend circumstances, the struggle against societal expectations, the search for authentic connection in a world of appearances.

This novel, which has sold over 700,000 copies and sparked critical debate about its literary merits, offers something beyond masterful storytelling—it provides a mirror in which we might glimpse our own capacity for dedication, resilience, and unconventional devotion.

I believe this work deserves the widest possible audience, so should you stumble upon it, do not waste the opportunity and read it. For those who appreciate historical fiction that explores human connection with nuance and emotional intelligence, Watching Over Her promises to be a profound reading experience—one that continues to unfold within you long after the book is closed.

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