Fiore Buca's poignant novel, 'When the Mountain Was Ours,' delves into the deeply intertwined destinies of a community and the formidable landscape that shaped their lives. Set against a backdrop of historical shifts, the narrative skillfully weaves together threads of personal memory, collective identity, and the enduring spirit of a people facing profound change. The mountain serves not merely as a physical setting, but as a living entity, witnessing generations of triumphs, struggles, and the quiet erosion of traditional ways. Buca masterfully explores themes of belonging, loss, and the bittersweet resilience required to preserve one's heritage when the ground beneath your feet seems to shift. This evocative story is a powerful testament to the unbreakable bond between humans and their land.