Mafia Orders a Hit on Italian Author

Posted on October 23, 2006

Bestselling Italian author Roberto Saviano is in fear for his life. He wrote a bestselling nonfiction book about the Mafia in Naples, Italy and he named names. Now the mafia has issued what some are calling the "Mafia Fatwa" on the author. The Naples Mafia is infamous for its harsh dealings with traitors and critics and Saviano is in serious danger.

Roberto Saviano says his life has changed since his first novel, "Gomorra," came out in May. On the one hand, he told Italian TV, his book has been a success. Indeed, the book spent months on the bestseller lists, won this year's prestigious Viareggio Prize and has sold more than 100,000 copies in Italy. "On the other hand," the 28-year-old author says, "there is a feeling of great loneliness and irritation."
The trouble for Saviano is that "Gomorra" takes a detailed look at the Camorra, as the Naples mafia is known. In fact it's a play on words, comparing Naples to the sinful Old Testament city. But Saviano -- who has also written about the mob for the Neapolitan paper L'Espresso -- doesn't merely describe the mafia's influence in Naples. He also provides detailed descriptions of the inner workings of the criminal organization. And he names names.
The result has been death threats and numerous ominous signs that Saviano has become persona non grata in his native Naples. The mafia fatwa threatens to turn him into an Italian Salman Rushdie. Saviano was finally granted police protection earlier this week. Writers, too, have begun rallying to his side.

Saviano has been turned away from local restaurants and even his local baker, because the owners are scared their establishments will be targets for the Mafia. Saviano (unlike his baker) is a courageous man. Let's he lives long enough to write another book.