It's official: Robin Edizioni, a historic independent publishing brand founded in 1989, has two titles in the first phase of the 2021 Strega Prize
Paolo Ferruzzi, professor of Scenography at the Albertina Academy of Fine Arts in Turin, a juror for many of the most prestigious international awards, chose Scacco all'isola by Alessandra Fagioli, with this motivation:
«…Checkmate to the Island is a novel that intertwines criminal investigations with interpersonal relationships and immortalizes an island, making it become a fascinating crime scene on several occasions. Different types of murder alternate with the adventures of the commissioner in charge of carrying out the investigations, forced to deal not only with the victims' relatives and colleagues in their hometowns, but also with a paraplegic husband, a drug-addicted daughter, a violent son and a friend who survived a shipwreck. A multiplicity of scenarios and characters thus gives life to a tight weave of unknowns and tensions, atmospheres and personalities, which also reflects on the nature of the detective genre, up to a final twist with unsettling implications. A dry, severe, pressing narration, more generous with the places than with the people».
Piero Mastroberardino, Professor of Economics and Business Management at the Department of Economics, Management and Territory of the University of Foggia and a well-known industrialist in the wine sector, has highlighted La piazza by Angela Vecchione, accompanying his choice with a timely critical judgment: «Angela Vecchione's debut novel is entitled "La piazza" and has as its protagonist Rosa, a woman surrounded by family affections that turn out to be unjust, domineering, dishonest and criminal. A single woman who takes on serious and contradictory choices, fighting the violence of life. In the Naples of the 80s marked by the presence of organized crime, the book addresses issues that still have a strong social impact today: sexual abuse, heroin addiction, abortion, the Camorra. An all-female story characterized by a clear and raw, extremely realistic style. In its harshness emerges the humanity of a world that manages to love itself despite everything, leaving hope intact».
Carola Messina, editorial director of Robin Edizioni, understandably satisfied, comments: «The editorial project of our publishing house – which has more than 1.000 titles in its catalogue and is known for the scouting activity that has allowed us to bring to the market precious unpublished works of the cornerstones of world literature – has always included researching and promoting new voices in Italian literature. And this is why we are proud that two of our authors, Alessandra Fagioli and Angela Vecchione, and their novels have been presented at this first stage of the Strega Prize; we hope that this can be the first of many subsequent goals for their literary careers and for our publishing house».
Article published on March 5, 2021 - 18pm
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