Os escribiré

Long before becoming the celebrated creator of the beloved Inspector Salvo Montalbano, the Sicilian Andrea Camilleri was a witty and ambitious young man taking his first steps in the world of theater. A scholarship recipient at the Academy of Dramatic Arts in Rome, he combated loneliness and distance from his family—and his hometown of Porto Empedocle—through an intense and regular correspondence, especially with his mother. In these poignant letters, written between 1949 and 1960, the most intimate and unknown side of an author whom millions of readers have come to love thanks to his unforgettable stories is revealed. Through his words, we follow his formative journey, from his tentative beginnings as a student to his first literary forays as a poet and critic. With a fresh, direct, and vibrant style, Camilleri speaks to us of his passions, friendships, hopes, and disappointments, opening the doors to his daily life: financial hardship, romantic choices, and the vibrant Roman theater scene. We also discover the importance of three key figures in the Italian stage: his special relationship with Orazio Costa and Vittorio Gassman, and the more complex one with Silvio d'Amico, all of whom profoundly influenced his career. Previously unknown to Camilleri's devoted readers, these letters allow us to glimpse the deep roots of his talent and better understand the richness of a writing style capable of creating lively plots and memorable characters. A vital and invaluable literary testament that illuminates the formative years of one of the most beloved storytellers of the 20th century.