Thanks to the adventures of the protagonist, Nicholas Emmerich, readers were able to understand the fighting, fiery, and just nature of Evangelisti. If he was one of the most important Italian writers in the field of fantasy literature, he was also a tireless fighter against fascism. After a long battle to preserve his health, he passed away on Monday, April 18 at the age of 69.
Valerio Evangelisti, originally from Bologna, was certainly a writer, but also an academic, political scientist, and communist activist. for him Course on the Grand Inquisitor Nicholas Emmerich, which has been translated to fifteen countries and comprising twelve volumes, made him famous in the world of literature. It chronicles the travels of Emrich, the stubborn and tormented man who was investigating heretical events in medieval Europe on behalf of the Catholic Church.
Through his books, Evangelisti conveyed his culture, his aggressiveness and his convictions in a unique blend of historical facts, horror and science fiction. His French publisher, Mathias Echenay, describes him as a literary and political figure, with multiple commitments:
“He was tall, spoke impeccable French, always with a smile and a ferocity to debate and fight.”
Although his works were published until very recently, Evangelisti was not limited to the literary field only. He devoted his last moments to supporting the anti-liberal left political movement Potere al popolo. Upon announcing his death, his readers mourn the writer, but they all mourn for the man and for his political fervor.
Photo: © Gattoni / Opale
