Neapolitan writer Mario Volpe returns to the spotlight with his new novel, "Casa Paradiso," published by Capponi Editore. A story that revolves around the themes of loneliness and family dynamics, it centers on Benito Gramaglia, a retired Swiss railway engineer, and his three children.
After his wife's death, Benito chooses to move to a retirement home in the mountains of Ticino, giving up all his assets. The story intensifies when the bond with his children weakens, leaving him alone with a sudden form of dementia. However, thanks to the cunning and advice of the elderly companions of the home, Benito devises a plan: he lets his children believe that they possess a residual part of the fortune, to force them to get closer to him again.
Strategies and Lies
Benito's plan wreaks havoc on the lives of his children, who rush to rebuild their lost bond. "I wrote this book because I wanted to test the extent to which it is permissible to resort to lies and artifice for the greater good," says Mario Volpe. His observations on family dynamics, from conflicts over inheritances to the weight of money, come to life in this novel that is not afraid to explore the human soul and its limits.
Solitude and Connections
“Casa Paradiso” focuses on an increasingly current theme: loneliness in a seemingly connected world. “It seems paradoxical that in a hyper-connected world, where it is possible to speak face to face thousands of kilometers away as if you were neighbors, men and women feel increasingly alone,” highlights the publishing house. The book, through the stories of its characters, delves into the depths of isolation and the importance of memory and authentic human relationships. Between lies and hidden truths, this novel ultimately reveals itself as an opportunity to confront the true values of human existence, inviting readers to reflect on family ties, memory and the emotional legacy we leave behind. Mario Volpe, with “Casa Paradiso”, offers an intimate look at how to deal with loneliness and rebuild human connections.
