Separated from Santo: The True Story of an Italian-Canadian Internee During the Second World War

A poignant and eye-opening graphic novel chronicling one Italian-Canadian family's traumatic separation when their loving father and husband is interned as an "enemy alien" during the Second World War.

In 1933, disturbed by the rise of Mussolini's fascist regime, Santo and Alice Pasqualini left their native Italy and settled in Vancouver, Canada, to create a new life far away from the burgeoning madness of Europe. The couple opened a bakery and became naturalized residents of their new country, avoiding politics and concentrating on working hard and building a family.

Unfortunately, their refuge was short-lived, when Santo was arrested for being an "enemy alien" and interned first in Kananaskis, Alberta, and then in Petawawa, Ontario. Italian Canadians, similar to Japanese and German Canadians were considered a threat to the country and therefore, these individuals, mostly male, were imprisoned with no release date determined. Santo, a hardworking man who loved his family, lost his bakery, delivery truck, and house. Meanwhile, his wife and children struggled to get by, as he was interned for twenty-four months, with little to no communication between him and his family. Alice suffered a nervous breakdown due to the stress of the situation and was hospitalized, resulting in their two children being sent off to live with two separate families for nearly two years.

Told in dynamic graphic novel form, Separated from Santo depicts an individual who was mistreated, who persevered, and eventually was reunited with his family. Instead of being bitter towards adopted country, the family accepted the situation for what it was, and was thankful to build a home in such a great country. Decades later, apologies from the Canadian government acknowledged the injustice, though the incident reverberated through generations. Written by the great-grandson of Santo and Alice, this poignant and powerful story is a reminder to see the humanity behind every so-called "enemy."

Author: Brian Barazzuol
Publisher: Heritage House
Published: 10/28/2025
Pages: 128
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.65lbs
Size: 10.08h x 6.46w x 0.39d
ISBN: 9781772035629
Audience: Young Adult


Review Citation(s):
Booklist 10/01/2025

About the Author
Barazzuol, Brian: - Brian Barazzuol is a new media and digital learning teacher, specializing in digital media curriculum design and implementation. He is the great-grandson of Santo and Alice Pasqualini, who are the focal point of his debut graphic novel, Separated from Santo. Both sides of his family have Italian heritage, including members from Friuli and Treviso. Barazzuol lives in Port Moody, BC, with his wife and two children.Drysdale, Cam: - Cam Drysdale is an educator and former animator. He had a twenty-five-year career in the cartoon industry, storyboarding and animating locally and overseas on various productions, including X-Men, Silver Surfer, Inspector Gadget, Spiderman Unlimited, Dennis the Menace, Babar, and Teddy Ruxpin. Currently, he teaches art to secondary school students in Port Coquitlam, BC.Doftoreanu, Alex: -

Alex Doftoreanu is a secondary student in Port Coquitlam, BC, who is passionate about art and voice acting. With an artistic eye and fine attention to detail, they hope to continue their artistic passions moving forward, upon their graduation.

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