Antonio Manzini wins the Chiara Prize

Antonio Manzini is the winner of the 2016 Chiara Prize. His Five investigations for Rocco Schiavone got 54 votes from the jury. Valeria Parella is the runner-up, with Troppa importanza all’amore, which got 47 votes, and third place, with 44 votes, has gone to Giorgio Pressburger, with Racconti Triestini. The Press Award has gone to Giorgio Pressburger.

The book by Manzini, which is published by Sellerio, brings together stories published in various anthologies which, collected together, build what may be called the background to a character that now has a great deal of literary fame, the Assistant Police Commissioner, Rocco Schiavone. A rather eccentric policeman that is far from well-meaning, in the role of the enemy of crime. In the morning, to give himself a boost, he lights up a joint; when opportunity arises, he does not object to accepting stolen goods from a foiled theft. He is rude to everyone, brutal with his enemies, impatient with women but nevertheless those who read his adventures would want him as a friend.

The final trio was selected by 11 members of the so-called “grand jury” from a list of 66 books. The winner was then declared on the basis of the votes cast by the popular jury, 150 people who had read all of the three books in the final. In accordance with tradition, the counting took place on the final evening, on Sunday, 23 October, in the Sala Napoleonica of Ville Ponti.

For the first time, the winners of Chiara Youth Prize were also awarded during the evening. The winner this year was Fabrizio Maroni, from Lozza, the son of Roberto Maroni, and author of the story Il cartone del latte. Second place, with only 3 votes’ difference, went to Giorgio Delodovici, with Il tempo del ricordo. Third place was a tie between Tommaso Benzoni, with Il tuffo, and Giulio Grisotto, with A passo d’uomo.