E io qui, nuda
(And I'm here, naked) Book not yet available in English
Summary:
Stella is a rebellious and unconventional girl who only listens to punk music and feels unbreakable. She never smiles. She doesn’t want a steady boyfriend, and when she meets Jacopo, she resists him. But love wins out. Just when Stella seems to be overwhelmed with happiness, an illness threatens to plunge her into darkness. Stella tries to shut herself away only wanting to be alone. But she is not alone. By her side there is a loving grandmother who understands her and helps her not to drop out of university. By her side there is Jacopo, who loves her and desires her beyond all prejudice. And then there are Carolina, her best friend, and her friends’ group: Raja, Sofia, Shao, Pino, Ajub, and Simone. Not even Simone will be able to save himself alone. A story of love and friendship. A story of transformation, recognition, and freedom.
Edited by: Centro MeTRa - Università di Bologna (Italy)
Comment:
“E io qui, nuda” by Cristina Obber is an intense and sensitive coming-of-age novel that tackles crucial issues of adolescence: the relationship with the body, the construction of one’s identity, love, and friendship. The protagonist is Stella, a rebellious girl who is convinced she is self-sufficient and impervious to feelings. She lives life without nuance, rejecting the idea of a stable relationship. Her encounter with Jacopo, a kind boy far removed from toxic masculinity, gradually shatters her certainties. A tender love slowly grows between the two, based on listening and mutual care. Just when Stella seems to accept this new situation, she is struck by a sudden illness: alopecia. The loss of her hair affects her deeply, exposing both her body and her identity and opening a rift that is difficult to bridge. For a girl who has always flaunted her confidence, the illness becomes a mirror in which she is forced to confront the fragility and fears she had always ignored. However, she is surrounded by caring figures: her group of friends, each one with their own uncertainties, and above all her grandmother, an affectionate and patient presence, capable of breaking through her granddaughter’s toughest defenses. Thanks to them, Stella discovers that loneliness is not the only path and that vulnerability can be shared. Obber delicately tackles some complex issues: accepting one’s body outside of imposed models, the value of equal relationships, the taboo of illnesses, sexuality as a space for respect and intimacy. Without moralizing, the novel highlights the effort and beauty of growing up, showing how love and friendship can become places of recognition and freedom. “E io qui, nuda” is a story of transformation: Stella learns to see herself with new eyes and to allow herself to be fragile; Jacopo learns to stay by her side without wanting to change her. It is a novel that touches deep chords and speaks to everyone, not just teenagers, because it tells of the strength that comes from accepting to show your true self.