“Gooseberry”, the debut novel by Monica Acito, published by Bompiani, won the 2023 Massarosa Literary Award, presented on Saturday, November 18, during the final ceremony at the Teatro Vittoria Manzoni.
The evening, rich in speeches and interventions, took place in a lively and engaged atmosphere. Among the guests this year were representatives of local and regional institutions, the president of the technical jury, and of course Giuseppe Scibetta, founder of our Foundation, which has supported the award for many years.
The 2023 shortlist included: Gooseberry by Monica Acito (Bompiani), Ask the Night by Stefania Auci (Nord), The Night Trembles by Nadia Terranova (Einaudi), Distractions by Federico Baccomo (Giunti), and Blue Hunger by Anna Giurickovic Dato (Fazi).
The novel is set in Naples and revolves around a visceral family bond, told in a vibrant and unusual language. The protagonist, a young woman struggling with her identity and the wounds of her childhood, moves through a raw and sensual environment, where the body is both a battleground and a refuge.
Gooseberry has been described as an “urgent” book, for its ability to tackle desire, pain, and the ambiguity of relationships with a powerful, uncompromising style. Monica Acito – born in Naples in 1991 – made her debut with this novel, immediately revealing an original and personal literary voice, capable of combining density with lyricism.
Her victory at the Massarosa Award confirms the value of a work that successfully addresses pressing contemporary themes with bold and fearless writing.
