Life Under a Shadow: Roberto Saviano's Constant Struggle with Loneliness and Fear
Roberto Saviano resides with a high level of security due to threats against him.
By Andrea Affaticati, Milan
When the infamous Neapolitan mafia hit Roberto Saviano's doorstep, his life took a drastic turn. Today, he lives in a world of constant danger, plagued by self-doubt and yearning for a sense of connection. In an intimate interview with Corriere della Sera, the acclaimed author shares his raw emotions and the never-ending struggle in his life under police protection.
At 44, Saviano is no stranger to the glare of the international spotlight. With his groundbreaking book, "Gomorrah" (2006), he laid bare the inner workings of the ruthless Camorra, the Neapolitan mafia. This act of courage placed him squarely in the crosshairs of the criminal underworld, and he has been under police protection ever since, a situation that even the bravest among us could scarcely fathom.
A Death Sentence and Decades of Fear
In his 20s, Francisco Bidognetti, also known as Cicciotto di Mezzanotte, and his lawyer made it clear to Saviano that he would not live beyond five years if he didn't cease his investigations. Today, 16 years since that chilling threat, the case against the mafia boss is still unresolved.
Saviano reveals his guilt over his family's suffering, particularly the absence of his parents who were forced to leave their home in Caserta and resettle in northern Italy due to the constant danger. He was unable to attend his aunt's funeral, left to mourn alone.
A Question of Authenticity
Alongside the Camorristi who wish him dead, there are also ordinary Neapolitans who cannot forgive Saviano for painting their city in such a grim light. Yet, his undeniable courage in shining a light on the horrors of organized crime has undoubtedly led to safer neighborhoods in Neapolis.
As a co-opted intellectual, Saviano has become a political pawn, admired by the left and feared by the right. Matteo Salvini, Italy's national-populist deputy prime minister, would relish the opportunity to strip him of his police protection. The question of why Saviano has lived in protective custody for decades without evidence of harm remains unanswered.
A Cruel Mirror: Salman Rushdie's Strength
In the interview, Saviano draws a parallel between his own situation and that of his longtime friend, Salman Rushdie. Rushdie, an Indian-British author, faced a fatwa after publishing "The Satanic Verses" in 1988. His life has been in danger ever since, marked by a multi-million-dollar bounty on his head. Despite the constant threat, Rushdie has chosen to confront his fears and live a more normal life. This option, however, was tragically shattered when he was severely injured in a stabbing attack in the summer of 2022.
The Bitter Taste of Freedom
Living under protective custody comes with its own set of burdens. Saviano feels the relentless weight of suspicion from those who accuse him of exaggerating the danger for attention. He is constantly wrestling with the challenge of escaping this self-imposed prison.
Panic attacks are a constant companion for Saviano, especially in the early hours of the morning. He grapples with the enormity of his situation, torn between the risks he takes to expose the truth and the loneliness that has become a part of his everyday life.
Loneliness finds its way into every aspect of Saviano's existence, even his romantic relationships. The demands of his precarious situation make it nearly impossible for him to forge meaningful connections.
When asked if he feels any sense of envy towards ordinary people, Saviano shares an anecdote about Philip Roth, who once told him, "I would never be jealous of a shitty life like yours." The sentiment resonates with Saviano, who yearns for a different life, free from the burdens of fear and isolation. Yet, the answer to his questions of wasted potential and self-doubt remains elusive.
Sources: ntv.de, theguardian.com, theneapolisunderground.com
Italy (Country)
Mafia (Organized Crime)
Camorra (Neapolitan Mafia)
- Saviano's life is a constant struggle, haunted by self-doubt and longing for a sense of community, despite living under police protection in a world of danger.
- The infamous Neapolitan mafia, the Camorra, issued a death sentence on Saviano, threatening him with harm if he didn't cease his investigations.
- In the interview, Saviano discussed his feelings of guilt over his family's suffering, particularly his inability to attend his aunt's funeral due to the constant danger.
- Some ordinary Neapolitans view Saviano negatively for painting their city in a grim light, but his courage in exposing organized crime has led to safer neighborhoods.
- Saviano has become a political pawn, admired by the left and feared by the right, with national-populist leaders like Matteo Salvini aiming to strip him of his police protection.
- Living under protective custody, Saviano feels the weight of suspicion from those who accuse him of exaggerating the danger for attention and wrestles with the challenge of escaping his self-imposed prison.
- Panic attacks are a constant companion for Saviano, especially in the early hours of the morning, as he grapples with the enormity of his situation and the risks he takes to expose the truth.
- Loneliness permeates every aspect of Saviano's existence, even his romantic relationships, making it nearly impossible for him to form meaningful connections.
- Saviano yearns for a different life, free from the burdens of fear and isolation, echoing the sentiment expressed by Philip Roth who said he would never be jealous of Saviano's 'shitty life'.
- Books on health-and-wellness, personal growth, education-and-self-development, and mental-health might offer solace for Saviano in his long battle with loneliness and fear.
- Saviano, like Salman Rushdie, faces constant danger due to his work, with the dark reality of organized crime looming over their lives.
- In the realm of fitness-and-exercise and sports, professional athletes face challenges similar to Saviano, risking injuries and overcoming obstacles to achieve their goals.
- In today's world of social media, entertainment, celebrities, politics, pop-culture, general-news, crime-and-justice, and sports-betting, the threat of loneliness and fear is not limited to those like Saviano and Rushdie, but is a universal struggle faced by many individuals.
