"Writer Pursued by Murderer" on the pages of Tallone's New Noir Publication
Unholy Alliances and Dark Paths: An Interview with Massimo Tallone
Get ready to dive into the world of Piemonte noir with Massimo Tallone's latest book, "Only God is Not Enough." This thrilling tale takes place in a modern society where polytheism reigns supreme, all thanks to a famous Greek mythology tome. But how does this strange circumstance tie into the story? Let's dig in!
"This twist sets the stage for our protagonist, Sirio, an atonement-seeking individual who's compelled to take on a grisly assignment: assassinating the book's author." Tallone shares, describing the eerie encounter between Sirio and the mysterious man who seems to know his deepest secrets.
As the plot unfolds, readers are treated to a wild ride, with stops in Venice, Milan, Como, and Brittany—but Turin, Tallone's hometown, is intentionally left out. "I do often set my stories in Turin, but I enjoy exploring various locales based on real experiences and meticulous research," he explains.
So, what genre does Tallone focus on? "Noir, all the way. Crime fiction usually seeks a neat resolution, restoring order after a chaotic event, but in noir, we can stray from the beaten path, delving into chaotic situations without relying on a tidy resolution."
But don't expect to find a recurring investigator in Tallone's works. "I prefer to put characters in distressing situations and observe how they navigate their way out," he reveals. Despite the absence of a familiar sleuth, some recurring elements have captured readers' hearts, like 'the Cardo,' a homeless alcoholic who, for a time, held a special place in Tallone's stories.
Beyond noir, Tallone has dabbed his pen in various genres, even tackling the art of peaceful dialogue in "A Bottega da Maestro di Cazzeggio" and the therapeutic potential of literature in a book on life's problems. "If I make silly choices like Emma Bovary, I'm likely to end up in a mess, but if I emulate Elizabeth Bennet, things will turn out for the better," he wisely notes.
Fancy yourself a Wordsmith? Tallone believes writing skills can be honed through practice and studying useful guides like Chekhov and Fruttero & Lucentini. And Tallone's own journey began at a tender age, as he tackled Dostoevsky and other Russian authors at thirteen.
Lastly, Tallone shares that he once worked as a chemist, though he left the science world early, inspired by Robert Louis Stevenson's "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde." Today, he channels his inner Jekyll into crafting captivating narratives that keep readers guessing.
- Massimo Tallone's latest book, "Only God is Not Enough," delves into a society ruled by polytheism, a strange circumstance linked to a famous Greek mythology tome.
- Tallone's thrilling story, "Only God is Not Enough," features a protagonist named Sirio who is tasked with assassinating the book's author.
- Rather than setting his stories in Turin, Tallone enjoys exploring different locales, basing his descriptions on real experiences and meticulous research.
- While Tallone's works don't feature a recurring investigator, he often introduces characters in distressing situations and observes how they navigate their way out.
- Tallone advocates for improving writing skills through practice and study of guides like Chekhov and Fruttero & Lucentini, having started his own writing journey at a young age by reading Dostoevsky and other Russian authors.
