The State of Absence
ABOUT
THE BOOK
These “Mafia Tales,” written after a long journey through southern Italy and Sicily, capture reality in all its depth, complexity, and ambiguity far better than any journalistic investigation could. The writer, seemingly from another world, sees and feels things that the inhabitants themselves, overwhelmed by horrors, silenced by a code of silence, and paralyzed by fear, no longer perceive. Each of these short stories, often based on true events, conveys the distress, the shock, and the inertia of a population held hostage by the Mafia, abandoned by a powerless, if not complicit, state. But all bear witness to the revolt, the courage, the tenacity, and the generosity of individuals whom violence has transformed into anonymous heroes, designated victims but never resigned.
Original title in French La Pri`ere de l’absent, publisher Éditions d Seuil
ABOUT
THE TRANSLATOR James
Kirkup
James Kirkup (1918-2009) was a prolific English poet, playwright, and translator, born on April 23, 1927, in South Shields, County Durham. He began writing poetry during his school years and published his first collection, “Indications,” in 1942. Kirkup’s works often reflect his diverse experiences, influenced by his extensive travels and teaching stints in various countries, including Japan, Sweden, and Spain. Notable for his engagement with themes of identity and place, one of his acclaimed collections is “Japan Marine,” published in 1965.
In addition to poetry, Kirkup’s career included teleplays for the BBC and numerous autobiographical works. He garnered several prestigious awards, such as the Atlantic Award in Literature and the International Literary Prize for “Japan Marine.” A significant moment in his career was the 1977 blasphemy trial regarding his poem “The Love That Dares to Speak Its Name,” which led to his departure from England. Kirkup’s legacy includes a rich body of work that explores complex themes and a profound engagement with cultural narratives.
James Kirkup (1918-2009) was a prolific English poet, playwright, and translator, born on April 23, 1927, in South Shields, County Durham. He began writing poetry during his school years and published his first collection, “Indications,” in 1942. Kirkup’s works often reflect his diverse experiences, influenced by his extensive travels and teaching stints in various countries, including Japan, Sweden, and Spain. Notable for his engagement with themes of identity and place, one of his acclaimed collections is “Japan Marine,” published in 1965.
In addition to poetry, Kirkup’s career included teleplays for the BBC and numerous autobiographical works. He garnered several prestigious awards, such as the Atlantic Award in Literature and the International Literary Prize for “Japan Marine.” A significant moment in his career was the 1977 blasphemy trial regarding his poem “The Love That Dares to Speak Its Name,” which led to his departure from England. Kirkup’s legacy includes a rich body of work that explores complex themes and a profound engagement with cultural narratives.