The author’s new book will be released on June 14th Luisa Battilanatitled THEthe heart at school. I was expecting a student but a son arrived (Pesciolinorosso publisher). The novel, set in an Italian high school, has as its protagonist Giulia, a difficult student who experiences the full torment of adolescent malaise. Her co-protagonist is her teacher Rita, who supports Giulia with discretion and with calibrated listening. Reflections arise in which parents and adults are perceived by children in a particular way, between expectations and disappointments.
The book is therefore a journey into the world of adolescence and the universe of contemporary school, told by the gentle voice of an attentive teacher capable of touching the hearts of her students. We interviewed Luisa Battilana to find out more about her book.
How was it born?‘idea of writing “The heart at school. I was expecting a student but a son arrived”?
“The idea came to me because I wanted to share the main contents of the texts written by teenage students and which I have been reading for years. Their perception of the world. We live in a predominantly gerontocratic society, leaving little space for the voice of young people.
And I also wanted to talk about school: now the only place of education and social aggregation.”
The protagonist of your novel and‘ Giulia, a young woman going through the ordeal of‘adolescence. Can you talk to us a little‘ better than this girl and the generation of young people you deal with every day in class?
“Giulia’s story is inspired by some stories of one of my students that I had years ago. Giulia, like many kids today, feels alone, misunderstood at home, uncomfortable at school, with her friends and in crisis in her relationship as a couple. She is looking for a look at herself that she will only find in her teacher. Today’s generation of young people is fragile, (fears, anxiety, panic attacks) they struggle to get in touch with their emotions. She is afraid of the judgment of others, so she conforms. She prefers virtual life to real life. There are many “good” kids, but they hardly communicate and express themselves with concrete and original initiatives.”
You are a‘ you teach and have worked in the world of schools for years, there is a bit‘ of you in Rita, the teacher co-protagonist of the book?
“Yes of course. In many parts of the novel I refer to situations and reflections that I experience daily. Furthermore, the choice of name is not random. Rita was my literature teacher at secondary school who made me fall in love with the “word” read and written.”
Why did you choose to write a novel about school? What message would you like to be conveyed from your text?
“Because when we talk about school we do it mainly through non-fiction. I wanted to liven up the school topic, because following the stories of the two protagonists of my novel, you feel more involved. There are three messages I would like to be conveyed. Learning to intercept and listen to the needs of adolescents. Adults (parents and teachers) must become more aware of their great responsibility in promoting the well-being (or the opposite) of adolescents. Kids don’t have to suffer the consequences of unresolved adults.”
