A VENETIAN RASCAL GOES TO AMERICA

Synopsis.

Johan Padan comes from an Alpine valley in Central Northern Italy, very poor lands. Johan is selfcentred rascal, a thief, a liar, tender, affectionate, sly, smart and willing to do anything in order to survive. The first part of the story takes place in Venice and Seville. In the early 1500s these two cosmopolitan cities were vital for commerce. Venice was the Old World’s most important centre for trade and cultural exchange, the meeting place between Europe and the Orient. Seville was the port where the interest in the discovery of the New World were converging. In Venice the protagonist falls in love with a girl accused of witchcraft. He escapes arrest when the guards throw the girl in prison. Johan flees Venice and reaches Seville. ohan's embarquement on the ship that will carry him from Europe to the Americas is an adventurous one, and so is his arrival to Florida. His encouter with the "indios" is exciting and very soon a relashionship of mutual trust is created between the savages and the young man. Johan convinces the indios to rebel against the violence of the Spanish soldiers who occupy their lands, which leads to war. In the end, the natives come out on top. Helped by hundreds of children from the many tribes, the manage to drive out the invaders and regain their freedom. Johan stays on with the indios, who have now become his family... his new world.

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