Daniele Martino's 'Frenesia del nulla' Novel Reviewed by Anita Romanello

Anita Romanello reviews Daniele Martino's novel 'Frenesia del nulla,' published by Einaudi in 2026. The 125-page book is attributed to an anonymous 'Autore del XXI Secolo.' The only character with a substantial physical presence is Apollinaire, a male cat purchased for 500 euros, described as '95% black, with a small white patch between its hind legs.' The cat is extremely well-fed and well-cared-for, living full-time in the apartment of the young protagonist, who works in marketing and communication at the Schoppissimo shopping center. The novel unfolds as a diary of a single evening at home after work, following the protagonist's frenetic stream of words. The protagonist has read mainly American authors of recent decades: Ellis, McInerney, Roth, and Wallace. Apollinaire enjoys belly rubs from his roommate and, feeling content, often half-closes his eyes while looking at him. The review, published on October 12, 2026, at 03:00, also mentions a magnetic resonance imaging scene that occurs a few weeks earlier, though the excerpt cuts off before further details. The book's title translates to 'Frenzy of Nothingness,' and its experimental style and anonymous authorship are central to the review's discussion.