Born in Como in 1934, novelist and essayist Giuseppe Pontiggia was editor of "Verri "and co-editor of "L'Almanacco dello Specchio. "He is the best-selling and award-winning author of numerous novels and a collection of essays. "Born Twice "was awarded a Strega Prize, Italy's most prestigious literary award, in 2001, and is his first major work to appear in English.