The novel is set in Valdestali, a tiny mountain village in the Friulian mountains in north-east Italy, an area dear to artists and sculptors.

The area around the Val Colvera is famous for its charming villages, one of which - Poffabro – was elected the most beautiful village in Italy in 2002. For more information watch the movie or visit the website.

The story was inspired by the figure of Yglix Rigutto, a scuptor of Italian-French origin who lived in Valdestali before moving to La Rochelle in France, where he now resides.