THE celebrations for the patronal feast of San Vito is in full swing in Polignano a Mare and Marshal Gino Clemente, who has just been transferred to his country of origin, think only of retirement. Waiting for him instead is his first real investigation of life that he will do without much desire and the country will follow as if it were the yellow of summer. It all begins with the invitation of Matilda, former Mrs. Scagliusi, for the aperitif in honor of the birthday of her granddaughter Gaia, an invitation declined by his wife Felicetta who prefers to stay at home with a friend and by the same husband. Clemente convinced that there is nothing more beautiful than celebrating San Vito with a nocturnal parmigiana. Too bad that something will go wrong at the party.
Wives are always right by Luca Bianchini, Mondadori pp. 240, € 18.50.
Next to the marshal, the extended family of the Scagliusi is back to complete in Wives are always rightthe new novel by the Turin-born Luca Bianchini: from Ninella to Don Mimì, from the Peruvian delicacies of Adoración, the family’s handyman nanny, to all the other protagonists of I who love only you. And Bianchini’s return to the beloved Apulian town is sealed by a beautiful title-manifesto.
A witty tribute to the female world?
Yes, and since I am demodé I would never have replaced “wives” with “women”. However, it is true that you must agree with your wife even if she does not have it, it is a sort of gallantry. Or at least: in the south you have to give it to her, in the north she is recommended. In Puglia, then, it is she who holds the true power of the couple.
By the way, did they by chance adopt it in Polignano?
Yes, it happened after the presentation of a book set in Venice, we went to dinner and I met people who then also invited me to a wedding of relatives unknown to me. I took the plane and went. I gave away a voucher for books to spend, I think I made a gaffe. I love the Apulians, they always think big like me, they love challenges, they know how to laugh and share. I love that land and not being born there helps me to tell the beauties that are taken for granted for them.
Luca Bianchini born on 11 February 1970 in Turin. Author of many novels, he is also one of the voices of Mangiafuoco on RaiRadio 1. Photo: Claudio Sforza
The north-east wind, the deep blue sky, the waves, the eggplant parmesan: this comedy is also his first thriller.
Yes, that into a new genre was the only trip I could take from home during the pandemic. I got excited. I started reading everything about Agatha Christie and not wanting to talk about contemporaneity, I made a virtue of necessity.
Gino Clemente loves his labrador, the undershirt, karaoke but also his wife Felicetta: long live marriage, in essence.
Turning a blind eye, forgiving, avoiding confrontation and seeking compromise: all this pays off in the long run. We are convinced that we come first and we can afford everything. In reality, love is transformed and marriage wins if we accept ourselves even when we are wrong.
Go for the reason to the wives, but the dedication is for your father: is he sometimes right too?
I would actually say almost always!
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