Recommended book this week for the Campania d'Autore column: “Storia pettegola di Napoli” by Chiara Tortorelli, published by New Compton Editori.
Tortorelli was born in Prato, but lives in Naples where she works as an editor and – already known as an author of novels, short stories and poetry books – she works in communications.
This book is a mix of essays and fiction, which presents the protagonists of art, culture, politics of a Naples between the end of the nineteenth century and the beginning of the twentieth century; their personality, private life and their stories that really happened. Those that the films and magazines of the time have never told and that only the people have passed down to us.
It is also a book of love, especially of what is love for Naples, told in the alleys, whispered in the historic neighborhoods. It is the gossip in which malice does not emerge, but emotions resurface.
A book that therefore offers – as stated by the author herself – “a parade of humanity, color and wisdom, a symphonic carpe Diem with many voices”. It is perfect to take on holiday for moments of relaxation. Through “Storia pettegola di Napoli” we explore the reality of the Neapolitan city of those times, as well as the places that have become emblems and testimony of the same. A text that satisfies curiosity through history.
Dropped into the pages of this book, the reader has the impression of being in the company of the narrator, who for the occasion has become a person and who, between one sip and another of a good coffee, recites the story of Neapolitan popular culture. As if it were a real creature, destined to arrive everywhere.
Spicy and unpublished, strange and exciting events enliven the pages of this volume of passion typical of the Neapolitan twentieth century. The places frequented in our current times – the Caffè Gambrinus for example – are rediscovered as refuge and delight of characters like Benedetto Croce. Here, and not in the classic history books, the tormented love between Eduardo Scarfoglio and Matilde Serao is revealed, founders of the newspaper “Il Mattino”, whose first printing dates back to March 16, 1892.
Illustrious figures follow one another, such as Salvatore Di Giacomo and Ferdinando Russo, first friends and then protagonists of a contrast that saw them forever opposed to each other. Up to the Poet, the Don Giovanni: Gabriele D'Annunzio, friend of the Scarfoglio – Serao couple, who arrived in Naples, at first, for a visit in passing. Then come figures closer to the present day, such as Sophia Loren, the shipowner Achille Lauro, Totò, Eduardo De Filippo.
Tina Pica and even Maradona are part of this captivating literary journey proposed by Tortorelli, who knows how to entertain readers by teasing, in a subtle and effective way, curiosity and interest. The sensation that you perceive at the end of reading is precisely that of reviewing the story while having fun at the same time.
“Naples is a city of art, social life and journalism […] two are the key places: the Caffè Gambrinus and the Salone Margherita. In one you can breathe the most fertile air of Neapolitan intellectuals. In the other, the first in Italy to exhibit can-can dancers, the show is told.”
Article published on 6 August 2022 - 10:29
