Criminal Confession: An Extraordinary Account of Wrongdoing and Retribution in Naples
Taking a Raw Look at Naples: A Gritty Tale of Crime and Redemption
Jumping right into it, let's talk about Francesca Maria Benvenuto's mind-blowing debut novel, So People Know It's Me. It takes you on a wild ride through the heartrending streets of Naples, Italy - a city that thrives on grandeur, community, and spirituality, yet is shadows with poverty, crime, and amorality.
Reading this book took me back to "The Incident at Naples," an essay by Francis Steegmuller, where he recounts being mugged in the city in 1983. The brutal act of violence was met by the unwavering human solidarity of the locals. Prepare to experience a similar rollercoaster of emotions with Benvenuto's short, sharp story.
The protagonist of our dramatic yarn is Zeno Iaccarino, a 15-year-old scooter-riding hooligan, serving time for murder in Nisida island prison for minors in the Gulf of Naples. Set in the chilly winter of 1991, the narrative unfolds through Zeno's diary entries, penned for his prison teacher, Ms Martina.
Zeno's life has been anything but ordinary. Raised by a prostitute mother in shocking poverty, their "home" was more like a "zuzzuso shithole," as he puts it. With only a bed, two chairs, a table, and furniture owned by a loan shark, their dwelling lacked any sense of comfort or affirmation.
As we follow Zeno's heartbreaking tale, we witness his descent into the criminal underworld. Taken under the wing of a client, he becomes a bag-snatcher and drug dealer. His success draws the attention of a rival gang, culminating in a violent confrontation that leaves him in jail.
But Zeno isn't all bad. He pines for his girlfriend and shares his dreams of exploration, yearning to see the beauty of the world beyond his narrow existence. At times, his youth and innocence are heartbreakingly evident, as when he ponders, "I'm young but I'm also kinda old."
The novel's authentic voice is a testament to Elizabeth Harris's expert translation from Italian. Zeno's character comes to life through a delicate balance of what is told and what remains unspoken. His bravado serves as a guard against the pain he hides deep within.
So People Know It's Me takes inspiration from Benvenuto's mother, who served as a teacher at the real juvenile detention center on Nisida. As a Neapolitan native and Paris-based criminal lawyer, Benvenuto brings a keen eye to the complexities of crime and the limitations of traditional punishments. The novel combines moving emotion with thought-provoking insights, making it a contender for prizes and book clubs alike.
Ready to dive into a story that captures Naples' splendor and squalor while chronicling a life cut short by crime? Give So People Know It's Me a read and join us in discussing it in our online book group on Facebook, FT Books Café. Don't forget to also follow us on Instagram, Bluesky, and X!
After immersing ourselves in Francesca Maria Benvenuto's gripping debut novel, So People Know It's Me, we find ourselves yearning for a shift in perspective. While the plot revolves around crime and redemption in Naples, it's fascinating to explore other aspects of life that this city offers.
Let's delve into the diverse lifestyle of Naples, where fashion-and-beauty, food-and-drink, home-and-garden, relationships, pets, travel, cars, education-and-self-development, and shopping intertwine vividly. The city is known for its vibrant street style, passionate cooking, authentic architecture, loving community, charming pets, picturesque landscapes, luxury automobiles, intellectual discourse, and bustling markets.
Moreover, Naples proudly showcases its rich sports culture, with spectators eagerly cheering for their favorite teams amidst the ever-changing weather patterns. It's a city where everyday life displays a captivating blend of change and continuity, which is as intriguing as the characters in So People Know It's Me. So, let's celebrate Naples in its entirety, acknowledging its beauty and raw spirit, much like we celebrate the multifaceted life of Zeno Iaccarino.
