Andrea De Carlo was born in 1952 in Milan, Italy, where he grew up. After completing a degree in Contemporary History he traveled extensively, living for long periods of time in the United States and in Australia. He was discovered by Italo Calvino, who wrote the foreword to his first novel, Treno di panna. He has worked with Federico Fellini and with Michelangelo Antonioni, directing the short film, Le facce di Fellini, as well as a film based on his first novel. With Ludovico Einaudi he composed two ballets, Time Out and Salgari. A musician in his own right, he has recorded two albums, Alcuni nomi and Dentro Giro di vento. His novels have sold millions of copies and have been translated into twenty-six languages.