Fear of Paradise is a story of longing and missed opportunities, separation, the passage of time, and the unforeseen consequences of innocent decisions. Set against the rise of Fascism in 1920s Italy, Vincent Engel's haunting novel takes us on a journey through a wild and romantic landscape where two lonely adolescents forge a strange and wonderful friendship. Between the sea and the forest in the heart of Puglia lies the village of San Nidro, a village frozen in time. Here, Basilio and Lucia swear their love and loyalty until an irreparable act sets them on a collision course with the tragic reality of history.