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| Isabella Santacroce, the pride of the writer: “I am a cannibal and I am proud of it” |
Isabella Santacroce, after nearly four years of maintaining a profound silence, has chosen to emerge into the public eye once more. In a recent interview with Repubblica, the acclaimed writer sheds light on various aspects of her life and career. Central to the discussion is her latest literary creation, 'Magnificat Amour' (the Assayer).
In correspondence with the Repubblica reporter, Santacroce reflects on her prolonged absence, describing it as a period reminiscent of Dickinsonian solitude, yet personally transformative. She elucidates, "For me, solitude is a state of grace." Regarding her writing process for 'Magnificat Amour', Santacroce reveals a deeply immersive experience, often writing through the night by candlelight, attuned to its flickering presence. She recounts, "I spent up to thirteen hours with him. Sometimes I went to sleep and then came back almost as if I heard him calling me."
'Magnificat Amour', according to Santacroce, delves into the realm of the sacred, where dichotomies such as saint and sinner coalesce, epitomizing the transcendence of boundaries. She elucidates, "Literature is height, and requires height. Writing for me is not a passion, but a consecration."
In a poignant moment of reflection, Santacroce reminisces on her literary journey, particularly her association with the 'cannibalistic' writers during the mid-nineties, notably Aldo Nove, Tiziano Scarpa, and Niccolò Ammaniti. She proudly acknowledges her involvement in what she perceives as the final wave of the Italian literary movement, expressing fond memories of camaraderie with Nove and Ammaniti. She recounts, "The first time we met Aldo was giving everyone sweets while Niccolò was talking about horror films."
