To the Heights: A Novel Based on the Life of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati - Paperback

by Brian Kennelly (Author)

"To live life without faith, without a patrimony to defend, without a struggle for truth, that is not living, but existing." - Pier Giorgio Frassati Enter the heart of a passionate young man, who in his brief life reached the heights of adventure, friendship-and sanctity. Born to a wealthy family in Turin at the dawn of the 20th century, Pier Giorgio Frassati was good-looking, popular and athletic. He spent much of his youth climbing the rugged Italian Alps, disappearing into the clouds for days at a time. He was quick with a joke or a prank and enjoyed a good time. It seemed he was blessed with everything a young man could ask for. But he hungered for more. Despite coming from a family of such prestige, Pier Giorgio spent most days in the slums of Turin, visiting the poor and serving the sick. His love for Christ burned within him and brushed off on everyone he came into contact with - from lepers and orphans to college friends and political diplomats. He shared his Faith with kindness and charity, and defended it passionately against the evils of Fascism, even coming to blows with Mussolini's thugs on numerous occasions. Pier Giorgio touched the lives of thousands, yet his high-society parents remained unmoved by the life he led as they frowned upon his religious practices and charitable work. Reaching them would be his last challenge, his final mountain to climb. To the Heights is an unforgettable novel about Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati. Dig deeper than the biographical facts and discover the heart of a charismatic young man whose soul blazes brightly and uniquely among the host of heaven.

Back Jacket

"To live life without faith, without a patrimony to defend, without a struggle for truth, that is not living, but existing."
-- Pier Giorgio Frassati

Enter the heart of a passionate young man, who in his brief life reached the heights of adventure, friendship--and sanctity.

Born to a wealthy family in Turin at the dawn of the 20th century, Pier Giorgio Frassati was good-looking, popular and athletic.
He spent much of his youth climbing the rugged Italian Alps, disappearing into the clouds for days at a time.
He was quick with a joke or a prank and enjoyed a good time. It seemed he was blessed with everything a young man could ask for.

But he hungered for more.

Despite coming from a family of such prestige, Pier Giorgio spent most days in the slums of Turin, visiting the poor and serving the sick.
His love for Christ burned within him and brushed off on everyone he came into contact with - from lepers and orphans to college friends and political diplomats.
He shared his Faith with kindness and charity, and defended it passionately against the evils of Fascism,
even coming to blows with Mussolini's thugs on numerous occasions.

Pier Giorgio touched the lives of thousands, yet his high-society parents remained unmoved by the life he led
as they frowned upon his religious practices and charitable work. Reaching them would be his last challenge, his final mountain to climb.

To the Heights is an unforgettable novel about Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati. Dig deeper than the biographical facts and discover
the heart of a charismatic young man whose soul blazes brightly and uniquely among the host of heaven.

Author Biography

Brian Kennelly is the author of several novels, including Two Statues, To the Heights: A Novel Based on the Life of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, and The Island of Two Trees. He is also the co-author of Divine Mercy for Children: A Tour of the Museum of Mercy, and the co-writer of the Marian documentary, Queen of Heaven. He lives in Charlotte, NC with his wife and four children.