Author Nicoletta Verna on 'Glass Days': Nothing in it is true, yet nothing is invented

Nicoletta Verna's novel "Stiklo Dienos" (Glass Days) plunges readers into one of Italy's most harrowing historical epochs, spanning from the consolidation of fascism in 1924 to the conclusion of World War II in 1945. The narrative centers on the intertwined destinies of two vastly different women: Redenta, raised in poverty and superstition, who is married off to the notoriously cruel fascist, Stiklo; and Iris, an educated and courageous woman who becomes involved in the anti-fascist resistance and partisan warfare.

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I write since I was a child, writing has always been my greatest passion. But only as an adult did I "tame" the instinct so that I could also use technique when writing. So that I could speak not only to myself but also to others.

Through their distinct voices, Verna confronts not only the realities of fascism and those who opposed it but also delves into the pervasive violence against women, the constraints of a patriarchal society, Italy's colonial past, and the profound choices individuals face when confronted by brutal historical forces. The novel also touches upon the passion for writing and the creative process itself.

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Without a doubt, it is Elsa Morante. I read this writer's novel "History" for the first time when I was very young, and over the years I picked it up again and again. That novel is immense, and it most inspired me to write "Glass Days". The novel "History" proves how literature can help to understand and penetrate the most shameful pages of history.

In an interview with Lithuanian literary translator Rasa Di Pasquale, Verna shared insights into her journey as a writer. She revealed a lifelong passion for writing, which she honed with technical skill after reaching adulthood. Her debut novel, "Il valore affettivo" (The Affective Value), was published when she was forty-five. Verna cited Elsa Morante's novel "History" as a profound influence, stating it inspired "Stiklo Dienos" and demonstrated how literature can illuminate even the most shameful chapters of history.

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I am very interested in delving into the cracks, depths, and fragility of the human soul. I care more about losses than victories, mistakes than successes, because, in my opinion, that is what defines us as people.

Verna acknowledged the challenges aspiring writers face in Italy but expressed belief in the possibility of success through determination. Her own path included participating in the prestigious Italo Calvino Award competition for emerging writers, reaching the final ten, which led to an offer from the Einaudi publishing house. Her work consistently explores the "cracks, depths, and fragility" of the human soul, focusing on losses and mistakes as defining human characteristics. "Stiklo Dienos" specifically examines cruelty as an inherent human necessity, a theme that resonated widely, earning the novel numerous awards in Italy, including the European Union Prize for Literature.

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I certainly did not expect such success and especially such reader attention. I am extremely happy, it proves that the Resistance, the roots of Italian and European democracy, born from the fight against Nazism and fascism, still matter to many people.