Sebastiano Mauri Publishes Third Novel 'La Nuova Terra'

Sebastiano Mauri (Milan, 1972) has released his third book, 'La Nuova Terra' (Guanda, Milan 2021, 416 pp., €19). In an interview with Arianna Rosica, the artist-turned-writer discusses the novel's themes of inner journey, self-rediscovery, and humanity's relationship with nature. Mauri traces his inspiration to a 2014 trip to the Amazon rainforest at the invitation of his cousin Leonor Caraballo and filmmaker Matteo Norzi, who were shooting the film 'Icaros: A Vision'. There he participated in traditional Shipibo ceremonies involving ayahuasca, a psychoactive decoction that he says forces introspection and reveals personal and collective truths. Mauri emphasizes that indigenous peoples, representing 5% of the global population, protect 80% of biodiversity, and argues that developed nations must learn from their ecological balance to address climate catastrophe. The novel's protagonist, Leone Amedo, is described as 'unprepared but available, cowardly but adventurous, stern but loving'. Mauri addresses toxic masculinity, stating that machismo harms not only women but also men, linking it to violence, suicide (the leading cause of death for men under 45 in the UK), and other forms of discrimination. He uses irony and comedy to tackle sacred or anxiety-inducing topics, aiming to engage readers without overwhelming them. Mauri continues to write but is not yet ready to discuss new projects.