“Memory is a great novelist,” Linda Ferri declared to Ansa when she presented her brand new memoir Our kingdom(160 pages, 16 euros) released by Gramma, the brand that Feltrinelli inaugurated to enhance the potential of writing.
THE CHOSEN REGISTER by the author to make her own autobiographical memory is that of the intimate voice, of the incessant flow of a narrative that continuously mixes memory, investigation and transfiguration of memory, or rather the process necessary to feed the “other than you » the internal dialogue with which everyone faces the work of mourning.
The movement is twofold, on the one hand there is the search for “all the things I didn’t ask you when you could still have answered me”, as we read in the book, on the other the attempt to cross a boundary discovered at the time with lucidity from Virginia Woolf:
«Everyone has their own past locked inside themselves like the pages of a book learned by heart and of which friends can only read the title»
THIS ATTEMPT to describe oneself beyond the title, at least as regards the relationship with one’s parents, seems to be a generational fact, connected to the unprecedented tension between fathers, mothers and children that spanned much of the twentieth century. In fact, other authors have recently dedicated their books to their parents. Like Dario Voltolini with whom Linda Ferri spoke in the edition of Bookcity Milan last November 17th.
Ferri, born in 1957, confesses it in some way in the book, when in his comings and goings between the USA, Tuscany and Rome, together with his mother he will also breathe the air of Paris in May ’68 for a long time. However, the label of family novel could appear skimpy or even lazy to define a book without an epic: the “kingdom”, in fact, is a family, matriarchal and bourgeois context which almost – and I underline almost – does not seem to be conditioned by social upheavals and cultural events that occurred between two centuries.
HERE IS THE POWER constituent of the writing is modulated to intercept all the possibilities of rediscovering the connection with the mother and carrying out that excavation work, without narcissism, with sobriety, almost looking straight in the eyes (the cover image, «The listener» by Jennifer Yoswa) a plurality of interlocutors moving fluidly from I to you to the third person. Dealing with your mother may be a generational thing but it is still a love story.
Linda Ferri arrived at fiction in 1997 with Incantesimi, published by Fetrinelli who a few years later would also print the stories of Il tempo che resta, followed by the other novel Cecilia, released in and/or in 2008, but we know about her also that she is an illustrator of children’s books, translator and screenwriter with Giuseppe Piccioni (Light of my eyes), Kim Rossi Stuart (The life I would like) and Nanni Moretti (The son’s room).
Among the author’s next presentations: today at 6pm with Filippo La Porta at Gli Explorers, via Trionfale 88 (Rome); Thursday at 6.30pm with Oxana Markova at Libreria Azami, Via Quattro Martiri 1 in Ivrea.
How does Ferri’s use of a “sober” and non-narcissistic writing style contribute to the overall impact and message of “Our Kingdom”?
## A Conversation with Linda Ferri: Exploring Memory, Family, and the Power of Narrative
**Introduction**
Welcome to World-Today-News.com. Today, we delve into the intricate world of memory and family relationships with acclaimed author Linda Ferri, whose new memoir, *Our Kingdom*, has garnered significant attention. Joining us is [Name of Guest 2], a [Guest 2 Credentials] who will offer insights into the themes explored in Ferri’s work.
**Section 1: The Intimate Landscape of Memory**
* **Linda**, your book emphasizes the intimate voice of autobiographical memory. Can you elaborate on the narrative choices you made in “Our Kingdom” and what you hope to achieve through this highly personal lens?
* **[Guest 2]**, how do you see the use of “intimate voice” impacting the reader’s experience? Does it create a sense of immediacy and vulnerability, and how effective is this in conveying complex emotions related to family?
**Section 2: Bridging the Gap of Generations**
* **Linda**, your memoir touches upon the generational tension between parents and children, a theme that resonates strongly today. What motivated you to explore this dynamic in your writing?
* **[Guest 2]**, do you see a trend in contemporary literature where authors are increasingly engaging with their parents’ stories? What societal shifts or cultural influences might be driving this phenomenon?
**Section 3: Deconstructing the “Kingdom”: Family and Societal Shifts**
* **Linda**, you describe your “kingdom” as a matriarchal and bourgeois family context, seemingly shielded from broader social upheavals. Was this a conscious choice, and how does it contribute to the central themes of the book?
* **[Guest 2]**, does the concept of a closed-off “kingdom” reflect a wider societal trend, or is this a unique aspect of Ferri’s personal narrative?
**Section 4: The Power of Reconciliation through Narrative**
* **Linda**, your writing style has been described as “sober” and non-narcissistic. How important was it for you to maintain this balance while exploring deeply personal and potentially fraught emotions?
* **[Guest 2]**, what impact can literature have on our understanding of familial relationships and the process of reconciliation?
**Concluding Remarks:**
Thank you, **Linda** and **[Guest 2]**, for sharing your insightful perspectives. *Our Kingdom* offers a powerful exploration of memory, family, and personal growth. We encourage our readers to delve into this compelling memoir and engage with its thought-provoking themes.
