Massimo Carlotto & Mama Sabot
Perdas De Fogu

THE REVIEW

After the convincing historical digression of the previous "Cristiani di Allah," Massimo Carlotto returns to narrating current events.

The result of an in-depth investigation carried out by the author from Padua in collaboration with nine Sardinian writers grouped under the collective name "Mama Sabot," this noir casts a spotlight on a reality not much publicized by our media: that of "Perdas De Fogu," a place name indicating a small Sardinian village between Quirra and Ogliastra that "hosts" the largest firing range in Europe.

Although most of the action takes place in Cagliari, the village and the military area—present only in the form of lethal consequences—hold a crucial importance in the book as the setting of some fundamental events for the start of the story, the center of interests, and the fulcrum of the actions of the characters who will alternate throughout the narrative.

The plot is woven on a narrative structure as solid as it is classic; the action unfolds with a cinematic cut that makes the reading exciting and fluid; while essentially framing the characters within interest games that limit their personal actions, the authors manage to paint them with incisive strokes that undeniably compel the reader to take sides and participate; finally, for all those who wish to find them, they could read between the lines some valid reasons for concern regarding the chilling repercussions of a use of the territory that unfortunately has little romanticized.

At the end of the book, the reader finds themselves battered but holding two small rough diamonds: anger and indignation. It is up to the individual to decide what to do with them. The authors, opening with the following quote from the mercanti di liquore, seem to offer their personal suggestion:

"...siamo fuggiti e ancora fuggiremo,

chè la libertà contempla diserzione"