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Zorro
A Hermit on the Sidewalk
by Margaret Mazzantini
Released in 2004, it presents itself as a potential theatrical script mostly tailored for her husband/actor Sergio Castellitto, it consists of only 66 pages but manages to encompass both the life of a homeless man (who became so by his own choice dictated by circumstances related to an unintentional accident) and the death of an assistant gas station attendant named Mario.
Zorro is actually not the name of the homeless man, but rather the dog left orphaned by its owner and for this reason temporarily adopted.
The short story unfolds over a few snippets of days connected to the past and present of the protagonist, his family and work life, including the transition to a "free" homeless person. No matter how much his situation might seem preferable compared to what he calls the "cormorants" of so-called "civil" society, the only thing he truly desires is to return to living with Anna, his wife, who honestly prefers to have nothing to do with him... despite the abandonment of Zorro in an attempt to reconcile with his beloved.
Reading this book, one can get a limited idea of the freedom/restriction in the way of thinking of many who face a life full of hardships with few glimpses of a "happiness" snatched from continuous discomfort...
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Summary by Bot
Margaret Mazzantini's 'Zorro. A Hermit on the Sidewalk' is a brief but evocative story focused on a homeless man who embraces freedom born from tragic circumstances. The narrative explores his past, his strained family ties, and his dog Zorro’s role as a symbol of hope. Though only 66 pages, the story captures the complexities of hardship and fleeting happiness in challenging social contexts.
Margaret Mazzantini
Margaret Mazzantini (born 27 October 1961 in Dublin) is an Italian novelist, screenwriter and actress. She is married to actor and director Sergio Castellitto.02 Reviews
