A Handful of Happiness
Massimo Vacchetta
A feel-good memoir of a man and his hedgehog
Massimo Vacchetta, an Italian veterinarian specializing in large animals, is recently divorced and feeling heartbroken and depressed―until the day that someone brings an orphaned baby hedgehog into his clinic. As the tiny hedgehog cries and whimpers, Massimo immediately understands the extent of the animal’s vulnerability and isolation. Recognizing her helplessness and desperation in himself, he connects with her in a way he has never connected with any other animal.
In caring for this hedgehog, Massimo uncovers her vibrant personality and rediscovers his own. Soon, another sick hedgehog lands in his lap. And then another. As people begin to seek him out to heal and care for the injured or orphaned animals, Massimo finally discovers his life’s mission.
As other sick hedgies are healed and released, Massimo continues to dote on Ninna like a child, constantly fretting about her health and happiness, caring about her in a way he has never cared about anyone or anything else. But the cage that once kept her safe soon becomes a prison, and as much as it breaks Massimo’s heart to let her go, he knows she longs to be free.
Through this life-affirming story of a man and his hedgehog, we learn that no love is too great and no creature too small.
Duration - 4h 5m.
Author - Massimo Vacchetta.
Narrator - James Anderson Foster.
Published Date - Wednesday, 21 January 2026.
Copyright - © 2018 Massimo Vacchetta and Antonella Tomaselli ©.
Location:
United States
Description:
A feel-good memoir of a man and his hedgehog Massimo Vacchetta, an Italian veterinarian specializing in large animals, is recently divorced and feeling heartbroken and depressed―until the day that someone brings an orphaned baby hedgehog into his clinic. As the tiny hedgehog cries and whimpers, Massimo immediately understands the extent of the animal’s vulnerability and isolation. Recognizing her helplessness and desperation in himself, he connects with her in a way he has never connected with any other animal. In caring for this hedgehog, Massimo uncovers her vibrant personality and rediscovers his own. Soon, another sick hedgehog lands in his lap. And then another. As people begin to seek him out to heal and care for the injured or orphaned animals, Massimo finally discovers his life’s mission. As other sick hedgies are healed and released, Massimo continues to dote on Ninna like a child, constantly fretting about her health and happiness, caring about her in a way he has never cared about anyone or anything else. But the cage that once kept her safe soon becomes a prison, and as much as it breaks Massimo’s heart to let her go, he knows she longs to be free. Through this life-affirming story of a man and his hedgehog, we learn that no love is too great and no creature too small. Duration - 4h 5m. Author - Massimo Vacchetta. Narrator - James Anderson Foster. Published Date - Wednesday, 21 January 2026. Copyright - © 2018 Massimo Vacchetta and Antonella Tomaselli ©.
Language:
English
Opening Credits
Duration:00:00:26
Introduction
Duration:00:02:51
One
Duration:00:07:44
Two
Duration:00:06:02
Three
Duration:00:08:14
Four
Duration:00:07:36
Five
Duration:00:06:11
Six
Duration:00:08:47
Seven
Duration:00:05:55
Eight
Duration:00:07:06
Nine
Duration:00:06:48
Ten
Duration:00:07:05
11
Duration:00:06:48
12
Duration:00:07:15
13
Duration:00:08:07
14
Duration:00:06:47
15
Duration:00:08:48
16
Duration:00:07:27
17
Duration:00:08:01
18
Duration:00:08:11
19
Duration:00:08:40
20
Duration:00:08:28
21
Duration:00:07:24
22
Duration:00:07:02
23
Duration:00:06:45
24
Duration:00:08:02
25
Duration:00:07:19
26
Duration:00:03:15
27
Duration:00:09:16
28
Duration:00:06:58
29
Duration:00:06:03
30
Duration:00:10:30
31
Duration:00:11:58
32
Duration:00:05:18
Epilogue
Duration:00:00:47
Ending Credits
Duration:00:01:17