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A review by anusha_reads
The House on Via Gemito by Domenico Starnone
sad
medium-paced
4.0
BOOK 6. THE HOUSE ON VIA GEMITO, DOMENICO STARNONE Tr. OONAGH STRANSKY, LONGLISTED FOR #INTERNATIONALBOOKER2024
The book opens with the impactful line, “WHEN MY FATHER TOLD ME HE HIT MY MOTHER ONLY ONCE IN TWENTY-THREE YEARS OF MARRIAGE, I DIDN’T EVEN BOTHER REPLYING.”
Set in post-war Naples, the story is narrated by Mimi, the eldest son of Federi, a railway station ticket vendor with an artist's soul. Mimi harbours shame and fear towards his father due to his explosive temper.
“HE SUFFERED AND HE MADE US SUFFER. WHY HE MISTREATED US MERELY BECAUSE HE WAS MISTREATED STILL CONFUSES ME, AND I WISH I UNDERSTOOD IT BETTER.”
Mimi witnesses his father’s abusive behaviour towards his mother and his disrespect and disregard for his close relatives. Though he narrates various incidents from his father’s life, he is not sure of the truth behind it as he talks about how his father keeps narrating different versions of the same incident, fabricating stories, to justify the physical abuse or boasting about his accomplishments.
Federi feels frustrated by the lack of recognition and for not being able to give enough time for art. Federi took to painting from a very young age and felt that he would become a famous artist.
“IT REALLY IS TRUE—MY FATHER, WHO WAS ALSO HAPPY, SAID—WOMEN ARE BROODMARES. IT’S PART OF THEIR NATURE. THEY’RE ONLY HAPPY WHEN THEY’RE FOALING.”
Rusine, Mimi’s, beautiful, popular, creative, and dreamy mother, sacrifices her dreams for Federi’s ever-controlling, abusive, possessive nature. Mimi observes everything as a child but never does anything. Federi blames her for anything and everything.
“I WAS ALWAYS SULKY. I LAUGHED AND SMILED BUT, ON THE INSIDE, I NURTURED ONLY UNKIND SENTIMENTS. ALWAYS ON THE LOOKOUT: WHAT AN ANNOYING ALLUSION. IT SEEMED EVEN WORSE THAN THE BEATINGS HE GAVE RUSINÈ.”
The book poignantly depicts the impact of parental conflicts on children like Mimi.
One impactful scene from part two of the book involves Mimi posing uncomfortably for his father’s painting, symbolizing the fear and eagerness to please his ill-tempered father. The painting is the infamous painting called The Drinkers, which is also the cover of the book. It is the author’s father’s painting.
The story behind the possession of the titular house was also very interesting.
The narrative weaves flashbacks from Federi's life without a strict chronological order.
Many believe that Domenico Starnone is the writer behind the pseudonym Elena Ferrante. (source: Wikipedia)
The book is divided into three parts and, while lengthy, could benefit from fewer repetitions and verbal outpourings from Federi.
Despite its length, the storyline is beautifully written, with a spectacular translation that sparks curiosity about the original Italian phrases.
The book opens with the impactful line, “WHEN MY FATHER TOLD ME HE HIT MY MOTHER ONLY ONCE IN TWENTY-THREE YEARS OF MARRIAGE, I DIDN’T EVEN BOTHER REPLYING.”
Set in post-war Naples, the story is narrated by Mimi, the eldest son of Federi, a railway station ticket vendor with an artist's soul. Mimi harbours shame and fear towards his father due to his explosive temper.
“HE SUFFERED AND HE MADE US SUFFER. WHY HE MISTREATED US MERELY BECAUSE HE WAS MISTREATED STILL CONFUSES ME, AND I WISH I UNDERSTOOD IT BETTER.”
Mimi witnesses his father’s abusive behaviour towards his mother and his disrespect and disregard for his close relatives. Though he narrates various incidents from his father’s life, he is not sure of the truth behind it as he talks about how his father keeps narrating different versions of the same incident, fabricating stories, to justify the physical abuse or boasting about his accomplishments.
Federi feels frustrated by the lack of recognition and for not being able to give enough time for art. Federi took to painting from a very young age and felt that he would become a famous artist.
“IT REALLY IS TRUE—MY FATHER, WHO WAS ALSO HAPPY, SAID—WOMEN ARE BROODMARES. IT’S PART OF THEIR NATURE. THEY’RE ONLY HAPPY WHEN THEY’RE FOALING.”
Rusine, Mimi’s, beautiful, popular, creative, and dreamy mother, sacrifices her dreams for Federi’s ever-controlling, abusive, possessive nature. Mimi observes everything as a child but never does anything. Federi blames her for anything and everything.
“I WAS ALWAYS SULKY. I LAUGHED AND SMILED BUT, ON THE INSIDE, I NURTURED ONLY UNKIND SENTIMENTS. ALWAYS ON THE LOOKOUT: WHAT AN ANNOYING ALLUSION. IT SEEMED EVEN WORSE THAN THE BEATINGS HE GAVE RUSINÈ.”
The book poignantly depicts the impact of parental conflicts on children like Mimi.
One impactful scene from part two of the book involves Mimi posing uncomfortably for his father’s painting, symbolizing the fear and eagerness to please his ill-tempered father. The painting is the infamous painting called The Drinkers, which is also the cover of the book. It is the author’s father’s painting.
The story behind the possession of the titular house was also very interesting.
The narrative weaves flashbacks from Federi's life without a strict chronological order.
Many believe that Domenico Starnone is the writer behind the pseudonym Elena Ferrante. (source: Wikipedia)
The book is divided into three parts and, while lengthy, could benefit from fewer repetitions and verbal outpourings from Federi.
Despite its length, the storyline is beautifully written, with a spectacular translation that sparks curiosity about the original Italian phrases.