Mariella Gattini

I really appreciate and enjoy the work of others. Although they are different from me and my way of thinking, I get inspired by their talent and sensitivity.

When I think of films, Nanni Moretti comes to mind, and his Caro Diario, one of my favorites of his. But I have to say that his more recent We Have a Pope is hilarious and moving at the same time. Talking about moving stories, Giuseppe Tornatore’s film Baarìa is definitely a masterpiece.

My statistics professor recommended the film Pane e Tulipani (Bread and Tulips) by Silvio Soldini to me; I watched it, and I got hooked on it. I have to watch it from time to time—I’ve been doing that for over ten years now. Everything about that movie is interesting, entertaining, funny, and a profound in-depth of the Italian culture, but it especially is an excellent representation of the Italian ability to love. Licia Maglietta’s character is very credible because I had friends like her in Italy, friends who had a tremendous influence in my way of thinking.

In terms of books, I do not have a style and I don’t look for a specific story. In general, I guess I mostly gravitate towards biographies, autobiographies, and memoires.

Books that I’ve read the past few months:

1Q84 by Haruki Murakami. This novel, which really is three novels in one, introduced me to a completely different world, but totally connected to the universality of things. I got so fascinated with Murakami that I couldn’t talk about anything other than him and the Japanese culture. So much so, my husband, who doesn’t read novels, got inspired and now he is learning how to speak Japanese.

House Rules by Jodi Picoult. This is a novel for young adults, but it piqued my interest because it’s the story of an autistic boy accused of murder. I’m a fan of murder-mystery stories and considered myself a connoisseur, but I had never found a writer like Jodi. I think she is one of the best trial writers, besides she has an extraordinary use of the English language.

Just Kids by Patti Smith. I got very close to Patti Smith after I finished reading her book; I believe we are kindred spirits. I’m not entirely sure if Mapplethorpe deserves all the attention she gives him in the book, but she made me love him anyway.

Happy Accidents by Jane Lynch. I love her; she is funny, intelligent, and delivers a very honest account of her balancing act in the difficult world she lives in.

Daily Rituals by Mason Currey. Although he is talking about other writers and their way of facing their everyday-writing lives, he himself is a very precise and skillful writer. I love his usage of the language.

Girl in a Band by Kim Gordon. I actually got her book at the McNally Jackson bookstore in New York City, the one located on 52 Prince Street, and that very same weekend I had the opportunity to visit Northampton, Massachusetts, where she lives now. It’s an enchanting town. I like her direct and sincere confrontation with the blank page. I was particularly moved when she said: “…it’s hard to write about a love story with a broken heart.”

Jerusalem, Chronicles from the Holy City by Guy Delisle. It’s a graphic novel, a clear current depiction not only of Jerusalem, but also of Israel and its relation with the Gaza Strip. It’s a good thing that it is graphic because the subject is rather heavy and complex, but Delisle’s storytelling is of great intelligence, sense of humor, and strength.

Books that I’m reading:

Ringo, With a Little Help by Michael Seth Starr (not related to the artist). Michael engaged me from the very first page. His description of Ringo’s Liverpool is eerily similar to the Valparaíso of the sixties. In those days, I was a little girl deeply in love with Ringo.

It’s always good to have a little Sartre in my life. I’m reading The Philosophy of Existentialism by Jean-Paul Sartre again, but in English this time. It’s incredible what memory does to us, or rather the lack of thereof. We forget that we can always count on good thinkers. Real thinkers never die. I’m taking little sips of Sartre again; the best medicine.

Other outstanding authors:

My favorite English writer, who comes immediately to mind, is Nick Hornby. What strikes me the most is his sense of humor, and his direct and moving prose.

Among Chilean writers my favorite is José Donoso, and my favorite novel of his is Este domingo (This Sunday). He is extremely critical of his environment, and his storytelling is visceral and unapologetic. Yes, Donoso is my favorite, but I have to say that Palomita blanca (Little White Dove) by Enrique Lafourcade is a work of art, and that the sociologist Pablo Huneeus is pretty up there as a writer, one of the best.

Going back in time, my favorite writer of all is Louisa May Alcott, who even today is underappreciated. I guess it is because she was forced to write books for girls, and girls are still underappreciated. She reached great economic success through her work, more than the most revered male writers of her time, but for me Louisa was—and still is—a deep, long inspiration, especially after learning about her life. Her work and personal hardship keeps me strong and willing to face whatever it is that I have to endure with strength, perseverance, focus, and profound appreciation for my fellow human beings. She has been, and is now more than ever, a light in the obscure and unpredictable road that lies ahead. Her life taught me that what matters is the work, the work you do as a writer has a tremendous impact on others. Everything else, including the recognition, or lack of thereof, is useless and unimportant. What matters is the direct connection, from mind to mind, that’s a bond that remains somehow, somewhere, and strengthens over time. It never goes away because it’s real, and pure, sincere affection.