Confessions of an Idiosyncratic Mind: Mario Spezi arrested

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Ian MacKenzie: City of Strangers: A Novel
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Megan Abbott: Bury Me Deep
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Paula Froelich: Mercury in Retrograde
This is possibly the most perfect novel for today's economically challenged times. Why? Because it has plenty of glitz and glamor and blind items, as befitting a narrative by the deputy editor of Page Six, but Froelich isn't arch or snarky or acid-tongued in the slightest. Her trio of protagonists land in all manner of embarrassing situations but they aren't played for mean-spirited laughs. The New York here is something of a fantasy-land, but not so far off the mark that it's completely unbelievable. Most of all it's clear Froelich remains sincere and optimistic about her chosen city, and has retained her sense of fun. So no need to check your brain at the door, but sometimes it just needs to chill out and relax.

April 10, 2006

Mario Spezi arrested

Some weeks ago, along with many others, I posted about thriller writer Douglas Preston's legal troubles in Italy which led to his detainment and the threat of charges against himself and his writing partner, journalist Mario Spezi. Well the news has worsened, as Spezi has been arrested on charges of slander and defamation, disturbing the public order, and obstructing a criminal investigation, according to press accounts.

Preston's statement appears here, and Angolo Nero links to Italian coverage of Spezi's arrest here. But the final words Preston writes bear repetition:

I ask all of you, please, for the love of truth and freedom of the press, come to Spezi’s aid. This should not be happening in the beautiful and civilized country that I love, the country that gave the world Galileo and the Renaissance. Many of you belong to organizations such as PEN or other writer’s organizations that could bring pressure to bear. Others of you have blogs that could spread the news.

Letters (always respectful in tone) should be addressed to:

Roberto Castelli
Il Ministro della Giustizia
Via Arenula, 70
00186 Roma
Italy

Giuseppe Pisanu
Il Ministro dell’Interno
Piazzale Viminale
00184 Roma
Italy

Italians care a great deal what Americans think. I have seen early press reports in Italy and much of it is filled with dismay at this treatment of one of Italy's most respected journalists. This is not "business as usual" in Italy and it can be reversed, if we make a big enough noise.

Hear, hear.

Posted at 10:30 AM in Literary minded | Permalink

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Comments

Thanks for reporting this, Sarah. Wouldn't have known it otherwise. Time to spread the word...

Posted by: Olen Steinhauer | April 10, 2006 at 12:13 PM

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