This zine is a sad, touching account of survival. Not of a big, epiphany-giving tragedy, but rather of a sequence of disappointments, failures and hard times that we call life. The zine takes us through Pilasti’s early life in Italy, her journey to Canada with the bulk of the story focusing on her struggle to provide for herself and her children. Work, love, literacy and peace and quiet are all things that we often forget don’t come easy to many people. The creator is newly literate, having only learned to read and write a year and a half ago. The stark, terse language combined with the strict chronological narration gives her story a powerful impact. Although the difficult relationships, factory work and poverty are accepted with a fatalistic attitude, there is hope in this story because she never evens considers giving up. It’s a good read and a testament to the powers of perseverance. (Heather Ball)
perzine, 11 pages, $?, Fernanda Pilasti, Toronto, [email protected]