Roberto Saviano on Life's Toll: Constant Danger, Loneliness and Existential Dilemmas
Roberto Saviano resides under protective measures, confined in a secure environment due to threats against his life.
By Andrea Affaticati, Milan
In an exclusive interview with "Corriere della Sera," Roberto Saviano confesses that he's pondered the idea of taking his own life a few times. The urban author has lived under police protection for two decades, a grueling life of constant danger and isolation.
Roberto Saviano, a native Neapolitan now 44, earned international acclaim with his groundbreaking book "Gomorrah" in 2006, detailing the inner workings of the Neapolitan mafia, the Camorra, and sparking a wave of negative attention from organized crime.
Living with a Death SentenceThe notorious Camorra boss, Francesco Bidognetti, aka Cicciotto di Mezzanotte, and his lawyer made it abundantly clear Saviano could expect an early demise. He had only turned 26 at the time, and the trial against the mafia boss has remained ongoing for 16 years.
Speaking with interviewer Aldo Cazzullo, Saviano opened up about the guilt he felt towards his family, vividly recalling the burial of an aunt who had a significant impact on his life. At her cemetery, there were no attendees—his parents had been forced to relocate to northern Italy due to both his fame and the threats against him.
The Question of Reality
Naples is a city torn between two sides—one consisting of ordinary citizens who resent Saviano for his portrayal of the city, and the other who acknowledges the positive changes brought about by his bravery and persistence.
The author belongs to a group of intellectuals turned political pawns. On the political spectrum, Saviano is neither loved nor admired, with the left leaning on him and the right recoiling at the mere mention of his name. Matteo Salvini, the influential Deputy Prime Minister, is among those who advocated for withdrawing Saviano's police protection, citing the author's unfazed existence despite two decades of protection.
A Parallel Fate
Reflecting on the estranged Indian-British writer Salman Rushdie, Saviano notes their shared circumstances—both having faced fatwas and lived under constant threat. Despite Rushdie's attempted attack in 2022, Rushdie now sees the fatwa as less of a performance and more of a dire reality.
Saviano finds his predicament to be twofold: he's criticized by some for exaggerating the threats and seeking attention, while simultaneously wrestling with the question of how to free himself from his protection.
Panic Attacks and Existential Anguish
Asked about the panic attacks, Saviano responds frankly. He finds it nearly unbearable at 5 a.m., questioning his purpose and future. He feels crushed by the burden of risking his life and the burden of simply living.
Loneliness gnaws at Saviano, as well, especially during significant events like holidays. Friends and family gather and revel in the night, leaving Saviano behind at home.
His relationships have been affected by his limitations, too. Romantic relationships pose particular challenges, as love demands freedom, a luxury Saviano does not have.
A Shared Envy
Saviano remembers an anecdote about his friend, the late Philip Roth, who once said to him that he wouldn't be jealous of Saviano's gloomy life. It's a sentiment Saviano understands—he, too, longs for a different life and questions if he's wasted his time.
Despite his struggles, Saviano remains resilient, channeling his isolation into his writing and continued activism against organized crime. Through his work, he finds purpose and connection, if not freedom.
- Roberto Saviano's community policy, underlined by his dedication to combating organized crime, has been subject to significant risks and challenges.
- Despite the emotional toll of his constant danger and isolation, Saviano continues to adhere to his employment policy, leveraging his personal experiences to write books focusing on health-and-wellness, education-and-self-development, and mental-health.
- In an expression of solidarity, Saviano draws parallels between his own situation and that of the Indian-British writer Salman Rushdie, both sharing the same employment policy of being subjected to fatwas and living under constant threat.
- Saviano's dilemmas extend beyond his work, as he grapples with personal-growth and goal-setting, often questioning the purpose of his existence and the path his life has taken.
- Taking solace in books and fitness-and-exercise, Saviano attempts to cope with his mental-health struggles and the loneliness that gnaws at him, even during entertainment-focused events like holidays.
- In the realm of workplace-wellness, Saviano's lifestyle presents unique challenges, particularly in the realm of romance, where the demands of love and freedom present an insurmountable obstacle.
- Anecdotes, like the one shared with Philip Roth, offer a glimpse into Saviano's emotional journey, with Roth expressing envy of Saviano's lifestyle, and Saviano, in turn, questioning if he has wasted his time.
- The science of sleep provides a temporary escape for Saviano from the constant danger and existential anguish that consume him, with the quiet night serving as a rare moment of respite.
- Amidst of the chaos, Saviano maintains a connection with pop-culture and celebrities, using Whatsapp to stay informed and engaged with the world beyond his isolated existence.
