Your story in a few lines
Receiving a bachelors’ degree in literature I learned sign language and thought of becoming a teacher or an interpreter. But from the age of six I wrote, I was pretty good at composition and when I ended up following a seminar on writing at my university the others would photocopy my short stories. So at 26 years old I ended up writing one while working as a librarian at feltrinelli in Naples and sent it to minimum fax. They published it, the collection obtained success, and I became a writer.
Joys and pains of working as a writer
Great freedom in writing and in submitting my texts. A lot of questions on the job. You choose to which category my answers belong to.
Tell us about a special/unexpected/moving meeting
Naom Chomsky: I gave him my last book in which he was quoted. And a Milanesian dinner with Wim Wenders: he had just read one of the unpublished stories of mine, and he said to me: lovely reading!
What does society do for you?
It recognizes a talent in me.
What do you do for society?
The mother, the citizen, the writer. Then, I sometimes directly engage in politics.
A beautiful event which has occurred to you recently?
There was the moon, the 10h of August, full and closer to the Earth than usual.
A culinary passion
Raw seafood.
Your favorite drink
Still, dry red wine.
Where do you live and where would you like to live?
In Naples, in Naples.
The music or a book that is with you
The ‘Canti’ by Leopardi
A talent you have and one you’re lacking
I’m patient, I’m not modest.
What have you learnt from life?
To never ask myself that question.
Translation by Paolo Witte