role model. Viola introduces Alice to Mattia, and Alice gets a tattoo of a violet as tribute. Viola soon ends their friendship, perhaps jealous of the closeness between Alice and Mattia. Later, Viola marries and seems to have softened, as Alice notes while photographing her wedding. Denis – a classmate of Mattia's and the closest person he has to a friend. An initially closeted gay man, he feels a deep attraction to Mattia which fades with time. Fabio Rovelli – the young doctor who treats Alice's mother. After a long courtship showcasing all his security and confidence, he marries Alice, but they separate following a dispute about her anorexia. Alberto Torcia – Mattia's Italian colleague whom he met at university abroad. He is married and has a son named Philip. Nadia – a friend of Alberto's who is introduced to Mattia midway through the novel; Mattia spends the night with her. Mr Della Rocca – Alice's father, an attorney whose first name is never stated clearly. He and Alice do not have a good relationship after the incident. Fernanda – Alice's mother who, towards the end of the book, dies of breast cancer. Giada Savarino, Federica and Giulia Mazzoldi Mirandi – Viola's friends with whom they form the group called "the four asses". Marcello Crozza – the photographer with whom Alice works, and who considers Alice almost like a daughter. Pietro and Adele Balossino – Mattia's parents, who struggle with Michela's mental disability, and whose relationship falls apart after Michela's disappearance. Riccardo Pelotti – the child who invites Mattia, and, more reluctantly, Michela, to his party. He is described as an unlikable child, appearing to have invited the twins out of courtesy rather than real interest. Walter – a cousin of Alice. Davide Poirino – a classmate of Alice in eighth grade. Alice unwittingly gives her first kiss to him, after he has been dared by his friends. References 2008 Italian novels Italian bildungsromans Novels set in Turin Novels about mathematics 2008 debut novels Strega Prize-winning works