How difficult is it being a writer firstly, a crime writer secondly especially in a difficult market like the Italian one?

It's not easy. A lot of energy that could be used more productively, both qualitatively and quantitatively, has to be directed elsewhere to produce income.

Currently in Italy there is a boom in mystery/detective fiction. Is there a specific reason?

There is. Noir fiction has become an extraordinary tool for the analysis of reality and readers have understood this. Another reason is that people are now weighting differently daily delinquency. This has determined a desire for knowledge and an understanding of the phenomenon in a society where there is crime and anticrime.

In the States there are many authors, famous as well as almost unknown, that have their own web site which they use to publicize themselves. In Europe and Italy this is still rather rare. Do you think it is snobbery or backwardness? And whose fault is it, the authors, publishers or is it a question of mentality?

Mentality. The Italian publishing world is rather traditionalist. As a matter of fact I am currently working on my own site.

What makes it so difficult for a non-English language author to reach the Anglophone market?

There is a tendency to privilege a market that produces a notable quantity of detective fiction and also a homecise choice of linguistic domain.

In your novels there is an evident lack of trust concerning institutional justice, which in your case is rather normal. At the same time though your characters have a strong ethical feeling, moral codes that even if non-orthodox must be considered "right". There is no JUSTICE but many little justices. Do you always write what you want or do you sometimes stop yourself?

I always write what I want, then my lawyers tell me to change things because I often based myself on real cases. I choose the latter not only for the "beauty" of the stories but also for what I can tell (denounce or remind) people.

Which is the first mystery book do you think someone should read?

He died with his eyes open by Derek Raymond.

Which book has surprised you more either positively or negatively?

Hannibal. Bad and racist against the people of Sardinia.

What five books would you take with you to a desert island?

I would not be able to choose. I'd take the first five at hand. The time needed for the choice I would spend selecting five bottles of calvados venerable.

What countries/cultures fascinate you more?

Those that I meet walking around the world. I've finished America and now I'm moving to Japan, home of my great maestro Takeshi Kitano.

Thank you very much.

(Translated by Simon Basten)

© Copyright Bastulli Mystery Library 2000