(ANSA) - ROME, NOVEMBER 17 - The distance that is often created between politics and culture, the intrusiveness of prejudice in the flat and short-sighted application of a rule, the infinite contradictions of history.
This and much more is discussed in "The Bontempelli case - an Italian story", the book by Paolo Aquilanti just published by Sellerio (page 185) which re-proposes a case that caused much discussion in the 1950s: that of Massimo Bontempelli writer, intellectual, poet and playwright who in 1937 distanced himself from fascism - even refusing the chair of Literature at the University of Florence removed, after the racial laws, from Attilio Momigliano - but who was once revoked from his mandate as parliamentarian elected senator on the PCI list, because in 1935 he had edited the anthology for middle schools "Oggi", judged to be of fascist propaganda.
Aquilanti's book is the story of that day in February 1950 when the hall of Palazzo Madama voted by secret ballot against the validation of his election as senator.
And from reliving those 24 hours that forever marked the life of Bontempelli, Aquilanti, a magistrate of the Council of State for years an official in the Senate, takes inspiration to narrate the life of the writer and the great love that bound him to the writer Paola Masino, author unfortunately forgotten about an important book for feminist literature such as 'Birth and death of the housewife' (1945).
Bontempelli, a still very current figure, lived on his skin the paradox to which every 'free thinker' is condemned: that of not being able to homologate in any camp, thus becoming a 'foreign body' for both sides.
Contested by the fascists, with whom he had fought in the beginning, but from whom he then distanced himself and disliked those who, in the new Parliament, could not go beyond his past.
In short, Bontempelli's is truly an Italian story (as we read in the subtitle of the small but precious volume) full of contradictions, summary judgments and rancor, but in which great feelings also dominate.
Like the love for his life partner Paola and the friendship of Tommaso who, in the end, out of solidarity with 'Massimo', will also make an extreme choice.
The book, written with skill and elegance, can be read in one go.
Not only for the rhythm, the plot and the intensity of the character, champion of books and culture (as senator Bontempelli proposed to change Article 1 of the Constitution with: "Italy is a Republic founded on work and on culture ") but also because it is a significant insight into the history of those years, the logic that animates the buildings and a sense of dignity and decorum that has now dramatically disappeared. (ANSA).