ISCHIA AND ITS DOCTOR PAGLIUCHELLA

ISCHIA AND ITS DOCTOR PAGLIUCHELLA

Sep 2, 2026 | BOOKS

First of all, I would like to thank Laura Mattera Iacono, author of the book Ischia and Its Doctor Pagliuchella, published by La valle del tempo  for the copy of the book.

Ischia is Laura’s “home,” and Dr. Pagliuchella is Agostino Mattera Iacono: her father.

I loved this book.
Those of you who follow me know I don’t say this often, but this time I had the opportunity to discover a story that is as true as it is precious for what it represents.

We’ve already gotten to know Laura together as the translator of Bergsøe’s books: The Singing Stone and The Lucky Family. 

In describing the Doctor of Ischia, Laura also tells her own story, with the stern judgment of someone who grew up with a great man as a father.

Setting aside generational differences, there’s a lot of Agostino in Laura: that total, all-consuming commitment to doing every task to the best of her ability.

It is extremely difficult to “capture” a figure like Dr. Mattera Iacono: the kind of doctor we’d all like to meet.

Yet Laura has managed to be measured and ruthlessly honest, letting her father’s actions speak for themselves.


An example for us all and an important message to pass on: the aspiration of a man who never stopped thinking about young people.

Ischia and its Dr. Pagliuchella, the story begins right from the title.

Ischia, the hot springs, the treatments seen as opportunities for research aimed at providing the best possible health and therapeutic care.

Ischia, the island that has transformed over the years.

The chapter that, in my opinion, perfectly captures the essence of Ischia’s transformation, and of our lives in general, is “The Beach.”

I recommend you discover it for yourself and continue following Laura through her blog Al tavolo di Amalia. 

I’ll conclude by quoting a piece of advice from Dr. Agostino Mattera Iacono: per aspera ad astra.

I WOULD HAVE GONE CRAZY IF

I WOULD HAVE GONE CRAZY IF

Aug 19, 2026 | BOOKS

I Would Have Gone Crazy If is Alessandro Depegi’s most recent piece.

I’ve already told you about him, he’s a writer and blogger, when I read his book Tutto Vero. 

Thanks to his blog, Quarchedundepegi’s Blog, a friendship was born and allowed me to learn so many things.

Quarc turned ninety in May, I’d say that fact alone is enough to give you an idea of the wealth of experience he loves to share.

I’ve learned more about history from him than I did in all my years of schooling; Alessandro is also an anesthesiologist and has a wide range of expertise gained in other fields.

I read I Would Have Gone Crazy If, a collaborative work by two Fugadapolisti, which underscores the importance of being viewed as individuals rather than cases, or worse, numbers.

If there is one certainty in the world, it lies in diversity: just as I find equality in rights essential, I also believe that we are not merely flesh and blood, we are not armies of clones, but microcosms of cells that take on entirely personal characteristics.

The image summarizes the story of Alessandro and his wife, but it also vividly illustrates how many branches and diversifications can arise as a result of individual events.

At the center: a heart. 

Alessandro Depegi describes I would have gone crazy if as a “booklet” and hopes it will be shared; for those who are not yet familiar with Quarc, you can find him here. 

FINGERSMITH

FINGERSMITH

Apr 18, 2026 | BOOKS, BOOKS

*Fingersmith* by Sarah Waters, published by Ponte alle Grazie, is yet another book for which I am grateful to Monica.

At the end of the first part, there’s a plot twist I hadn’t suspected in the slightest, so I was delighted to find myself surprised, since, all things considered, this doesn’t happen very often

Fingersmith is the protagonist, but once I reached the end of her story, I’d say that the thief is someone else and that the “theft” is far more serious—indeed, despicable.

Roles taken for granted and surrogates who take on the honor and burden of being the sole anchor of affection to cling to in a sea of loneliness and pain.

I’ve spoken of mothers many times, always in a positive light, but here we go beyond the boundaries of good or evil…

But to stick to the theme stated in the title: what kinds of thieves do you know?

SHADOW WINGS

SHADOW WINGS

Mar 28, 2026 | BOOKS, BOOKS

I would like to thank the author, Paola Petrillo, and Manuale di Mari for the copy of the book *Shadow Wings*.

Paola Petrillo, a writer and creator of candles, ceramic objects, and wedding favors, has chosen a mysterious title.

Ali d'ombra

I was very struck by how the book stems from a dream.

Paola felt an immediate urge to write upon waking.

By now, you know well about my soft spot for dreams. 

I always hope to remember as much as possible whenever I happen to dream, and this happens when I wake up early in the morning, have time to fall back asleep, and manage to do so.

On this subject, I was recently chatting with Un cielo vispo di stelle, who rightly argues that dreaming is a serious matter. 

It certainly was for Paola Petrillo.

And for you?

What is our insomnia if not the maniacal obstinacy of our intelligence to manufacture thoughts, chains of reasoning, syllogisms and definitions of its own, its refusal to abdicate in favour of the divine foolishness of eyes shut fast or the wise madness of dreams?
Marguerite Yourcenar

Is yours a mind that abdicates?

QUELLI DEL CIVICO 21 – THOSE AT NUMBER 21

QUELLI DEL CIVICO 21 – THOSE AT NUMBER 21

Feb 28, 2026 | BOOKS

Quelli del civico 21 – Those at Number 21 is the third book written by author Andrea Francavilla, which I read with pleasure, and for which I am very grateful.

Once again, the edition is edited by Manuale di Mari. 

After Racconti nani non democristiani – Non-Christian Democrat Dwarf Tales,  Andrea Francavilla reconfirms his talent for recounting ordinary yet unique characters, intertwining their moments and destinies.

And if Racconti nani were limited to a specific time frame, Quelli del civico 21 are contained within a defined space that does not, however, enclose them.

Those at number 21 immediately takes us to the protagonists’ home, an eight-apartment building.

A condominium that could be like the one where I live, or where you live.

He thought continually about the apartment building, a Pandora’s Box whose thousand lids were one by one, inwardly opening.
James Graham Ballard

What do you associate with the idea of a condominium?

Is your experience negative or positive?

When my husband and I got married, we lived on the first floor of a building with only five apartments.

An intense and, above all, fun friendship developed on our landing, to the point that our moments of sharing intersected a bit like in the TV series Friends. 

We moved away a long time ago, but Luisa who lived on the ground floor and I, still call each other every Sunday just to see how things are going.

No Pandora’s boxes at that address, just dishes and glasses 😉

And you, what’s your number?

I GIORNI DI VETRO (THE DAYS OF GLASS)

I GIORNI DI VETRO (THE DAYS OF GLASS)

Feb 14, 2026 | BOOKS

I giorni di vetro, written by Nicoletta Verna for Einaudi, was a sharp book for me, if you’ll pardon the pun.

I found this reading disturbing at times.

Nevertheless, I am grateful to Monica because, on my own initiative, I would probably have made excuses and diverted my interest elsewhere.

The novel begins with the murder of Matteotti and traces the subsequent unfolding of events until Liberation.

Castrocaro is at the center of everything, indeed “the epicenter.”

At the end of the book, the author informs us that the characters and events are fictional, but History, the one we all know, remains looming.

And even if the lives narrated in I giorni di vetro have no real counterpart, I couldn’t help but read with the awareness of how many terrible things happened to so many people.

This thought meant that for most of the book I was afraid to find out what would happen on the next page.

Unfortunately, I am unable to free myself from the anguish caused by cruelty. 

At the same time, however, I felt the need to continue reading, hoping that my fears were wrong.

Nicoletta Verna’s book does not leave you indifferent; it is a divisive read, even with regard to the conflicting opinions among readers.

When you think of the title: I giorni di vetro (The Days of Glass), what do you imagine?

Have you ever suffered while reading?

But even more frightening is witnessing the ease with which war becomes part of every state’s plans: the arms race, increasingly heated rhetoric.

Everything that has been is forgotten, trampled on, wiped out.

As if suffering, broken lives, and horror were evanescent, a bubble to be blown away.

“The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn’t exist. And like that… he’s gone”. 
Verbal Kint (Kevin Spacey)

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