Roberto Saviano residing in a guarded environment due to threats on his life.
Revamped Piece:
Life Under Lockdown: Roberto Saviano Battles Torment and Loneliness
By Andrea Affaticati, Milan
Italian author Roberto Saviano, renowned for his work on the Neapolitan mafia, confesses that he's wrestled with self-doubt over his safety measures. For two decades, Saviano has been living under constant police protection, a reality that only the initiated can truly comprehend.
Born and bred in Naples, Saviano turned 44 this year. His international fame blossomed in 2006 with the publication of his groundbreaking book "Gomorrah," exposing the complex structure and activities of the Camorra. The book, however, attracted the wrath of Camorra boss Francesco Bidognetti, alias Cicciotto di Mezzanotte, and his lawyer, who declared that Saviano had five years left to live.
Love, Loss, and Living on the Edge
The interview, conducted with Aldo Cazzullo, delves into Saviano's feelings of guilt towards his family, particularly the funeral of a recently deceased aunt who was very close to him. He explains, "It wasn't even a funeral. No one was at the cemetery. My parents, who used to reside in Caserta (near Naples), were once forced to relocate to northern Italy as early as 2006, on account of me. They never truly settled there."
Truthfulness or Theatre?
Naples respondents divided between those wishing Saviano dead and ordinary Neapolitans unable to forgive him for the negative image he painted of their city. Saviano, one of the co-opted intellectuals, finds himself amidst political propaganda. The left champion him, while the right loathes his name. Matteo Salvini, Italy's national-populist Deputy Prime Minister and Lega chief, wishes to strip him of his police protection.
Saviano's interviewee questions the extended police protection, with no incidents to date, leading to the query: why is he under protection for decades without any trouble?
Mirror Reflections
In the interview, Saviano compares his predicament with that of Indian-British writer Salman Rushdie, who received a fatwa for his book "The Satanic Verses." Rushdie is a constant target of global Muslims, with a million-dollar bounty on his head. Rushdie, once granted protection, eventually decided to reject the danger and live freely again. This stint lasted for a while, until the summer of 2022, when he was severely injured in a stabbing attack, losing his eye.
Saviano notes the irony: "Now, Rushdie feels relieved. No one can claim that the fatwa was mere theatrics anymore."
Living under police protection means dealing with criticism for exaggerating the danger and seeking attention, and questioning whether to break free from this confinement. Saviano experiences panic attacks and roaming anxiety, especially at 5 a.m. when his anxiety peaks, inquiring, "Now what? Where do I go?"
Shadows of Loneliness
Saviano shares his anguish about the Easter holidays, when his family and friends were with him until 7 p.m., enjoying the festivities in Naples, while he had to remain homebound. Both personal relationships and love affairs are hindered by his confined lifestyle. "Love demands freedom," Saviano laments, "which I don't have."
His confession that Philip Roth, the renowned author, expressed envy towards Saviano's predicament, reveals Saviano's yearning for a more ordinary life. However, he grapples with whether he has squandered his life, a question that has yet to be answered.
[1] Living under constant protection from organized crime groups: an overview of the long-term effects and challenges for authors such as Roberto Saviano, including psychological stress, limited freedom, social isolation, career impact, ongoing threats, and public perception.
- The community policy for authors under threat from organized crime, as exemplified by Roberto Saviano, should address the long-term psychological stress, isolation, and impact on their careers.
- Employment policies should consider the unique risks faced by authors like Saviano who are under constant threat, ensuring adequate support for their mental health and personal growth.
- In neighborhoods similar to Naples, where the safety of outspoken authors is compromised, it's crucial to implement neighborhood safety measures as part of the community policy.
- Roberto Saviano's anecdote of the isolation he faces living under police protection raises questions about the role of science in understanding and mitigating the psychological effects of such a lifestyle.
- As part of the health-and-wellness focus, fitness-and-exercise programs might be beneficial for authors living in similar circumstances, aiding in stress management and promoting mental health.
- Education and self-development are essential for authors like Saviano, not just for career development but also for personal growth and coping mechanisms amidst ongoing threats.
- The impact of living under constant protection can affect an author's career development, as was observed in the case of Roberto Saviano who grappled with feelings of wasted potential.
- The world of sports, including sports-betting and sports-analysis, could offer an alternative career path for authors like Saviano, whose lives have been limited by organized crime threats.
