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I discovered John Domini with the Italian translation of Earthquake I.D., published in 2009 by Tullio Pironti Editore, translated by Stefano Manferlotti, under the title Terremoto napoletano. I was immediately struck by the Nabokovian richness of the language and the absence of stereotypes usually associated with the representation of Naples. John was an original thinker and the vitality of the man poured into the vitality of his writing, captivating in every sentence. Domini’s writing is never dull and instead reveals a quality rare in many writers: the joy of writing. We’ll miss that joy. Fortunately, good artists have an advantage over others—they continue to produce strong emotions, aesthetic pleasure and consolation in those who remain and benefit from their art. Read John Domini’s books! Not because he is no longer with us or is in a place we don’t know—but because they are alive, warm, and beautiful.
Emanuele Pettener was born in Venice, Italy, and has lived in the United States since 2000. He teaches Italian language and literature at Florida Atlantic University, where he received his Ph.D. in Comparative Studies in 2004.