History always houses those nooks and crannies to discover, like a gigantic cathedral in which to discern among its ashlar details that end up being universes. Something like this happens with Fiume, a kind of Baratarian island brought to life in the harsh 20s of a Europe between wars.
The question is to get to novel it as Fernando Clemot, with that point of exclusivity that has the rediscovery of its real value. Because that ashlar marked by the stonemason on duty has a long history until it was placed there. In the same way, Fiume's Free State (as free as it is fleeting) concentrates a story today between extravagant, epic, sinister and at the same time enlightening of the strange foundations of all forced and forced nationalism.
So let's get ready to travel to today's Croatian Rijeka to discover how capricious the flags are dyed with ideology and blood. Thus they end up explaining things that still frighten today when observed from the outside, but that ignite when they are seen on the side of those who tighten the cloth and sing hymn stanzas. An interesting historical fiction.
Synopsis
Fiume September 1919. Two hundred volunteers led by the writer Gabriele D'Annunzio occupy a city on the Croatian coast with the intention of forming their own state attached to Italy: the Free State of Fiume. For fifteen months the writer will try to create a government "of free and heroic men" and will develop all the speech and paraphernalia that fascism will use for its ascent in the following two decades.
Thirty years later Tristam Vedder, a correspondent for the New York Tribune at that time, returns to Italy accompanied by his family to see the place where his youngest son died, in the recent campaign in Italy. The encounter with the scenes of yesteryear will make Vedder relive that time in Fiume, the rise of fascism, his initial attachment to it and everything that has changed his life that time. He will reflect on the consequences of totalitarianism and war while trying to piece together some of the pieces that were lost thirty years ago.
You can now buy the novel Fiume, by Fernando Clemot, here: