It’s Mario Desiati with Spatriate (Einaudi) to conquer the first place among the finalists of the Strega prize, announced at the Roman Theater of Benevento on the notes of Nessun dorma. With 244 votes Desiati was the most voted. In second place Claudio Piersanti with That damned Vronsky (Rizzoli, 178 votes); third Marco Amerighi with Stray (Bollati Boringhieri, 175 votes, Gems group). Veronica Raimo, winner with Nothing true (Einaudi) of the Strega Giovani, is fourth with 169 votes. In fifth place an ex aequo: Fabio Bacà (NovaAdelphi) and Alessandra Carati (And then we’ll be safeMondadori) with 168 votes.
A seventh book has been added to these six finalists (and it is the first time). Because the Strega regulation provides that if there are only large publishers in Cinquina, as in this case, the most voted among the small-mediums has the right to repechage. Here then is added to the sestina, Veronica Galletta with Nina on the embankment (minimum fax, 103 votes). It had never happened in the history of the Witch that 7 books reached the final.
Getting to the selection of the twelve eligible candidates was not easy considering that there were seventy-four titles in the running. Among these, three came from the pen of authors of Apulian origins: Michela Marzano with Bloodline and shame (Rizzoli), Andrea Donaera with She who never touches the ground (Nne) and Mario Desiati with Spatriate (Einaudi). And it is Desiati, born in 1977, from Martina, the only Apulian remaining in the race in the dozen.
For Desiati this is not the first time: this candidacy, in fact, comes eleven years ago Ternitti, who in 2011, as a finalist, had collected 63 votes, finishing in fourth place. And in this edition there are those who bet on him for the victory, even if Veronica Raimo is also very popular. But we will have to wait until July 7 to find out the winner of the LXXVI edition of the most anticipated literary competition.