Lorenza Gentile on Her Bancarella-Winning Novel 'La volta giusta'

Italian writer Lorenza Gentile, born in Milan in 1988, has won the 2026 Premio Bancarella for her novel 'La volta giusta', published by Feltrinelli. The book follows Lucilla, a thirty-year-old woman who wins a competition with her partner Enrico to manage a small inn in a village in the Maritime Alps. When Enrico fails to arrive, she stays alone in the mountains, grappling with a project meant for two and a dream that may not be her own. The story explores themes of self-discovery, the transformative power of solitude, and the resilience of small villages facing depopulation. In an interview with Artribune, Gentile discusses the significance of the Bancarella prize, which is awarded by booksellers, and reflects on how crises can lead to personal growth. She emphasizes that love should not be confused with the need for approval, and that the mountain setting forces her protagonist to confront her true self. Gentile also touches on her own experiences living in Milan, Florence, and an ashram in Puglia, which taught her the importance of being present. She explains that her writing starts from pain but seeks to find light, and that the 'right time' for change is when we choose ourselves. The interview was conducted by Ginevra Barbetti and published on Artribune.