Enter the cross-cultural tale of gusto and enchantment, adaptation and loss, preserving the old ways of making a life. Presented in six acts with intermissions and curtain calls, it is a new form of literature presented in interactive libretto form. Read it silently, read it out loud, or step upon the imaginary stage of all life to commandeer the operatic recitative called sing/speak. Il Vagabondo is a love story-an opera rusticana of the people, by the people, for the people. It is all true.

Author Glenn Carley was born in Trenton Ontario. He is the author of Polenta at Midnight: Tales of Gusto and Enchantment in North York (Vehicule Press, 2007), and Good Enough From Here (Rock's Mills Press, 2020) His stories have appeared in Italian Canadians at Table: A Narrative Feast in Five Courses (Guernica Editions, 2013) and in Accenti Magazine. Il Vagabondo: An Urban Opera is his third book. A retired chief social worker, Glenn lives in Bolton Ontario with his wife, Mary. Their family is blessed with a daughter, son, and daughter-in-law.

Glenn Carley's profile page

It was a pleasure to read [Carley's] book. I enjoyed it all. Thanks for bringing back some of the memories of my family, especially my grandparents and the style of life they brought. Il Vagabondo brought me joy and happiness remembering the simple things of roasting peppers and making sauce, while spending time with my family. I felt love, tragedy, the respect for each other and the welcoming arms of this family. […] Some can only hope for this love and passion. Every Italian and their extended families should read Il Vagabondo. This is truly a trip down memory lane.

Angelo Stellato, President of Club Castropigano