"Malnata" encourages defiance.

"Malnata" promotes defiance

Trouble seems to follow Maddalena, but Francesca can't help but be drawn to her. In "Malnata," Beatrice Salvioni describes a friendship during the time of fascism, filled with fear, courage, and women's resistance - all reminiscent of Ferrante.

A dramatic start: wounded and soaking wet, two girls desperately try to conceal a body by the Lambro in Monza, Lombardy. The young man's jacket bears a pin with the tricolor and the fascists' fasces.

The story takes place in the mid-1930s when Italy is gearing up for its invasion of Abyssinia, now Ethiopia. Francesca and Maddalena, the narrator, develop a secret friendship months before the opening scene. "She had the devil in her body, and I was not to speak to her under any circumstances."

Maddalena is nicknamed "Malnata," meaning the ominous one, due to the trouble that seems to flourish in her presence. Horror stories circulate about her brother's death, her father's injury, and a teacher's severe wounds. "Malnata then sticks her tongue out at them and simply laughs away the insults." Meanwhile, her mother adds only two plates and two spoons to their meals.

While Maddalena resides in a dilapidated sixth-floor tenement with shared living quarters and a toilet that's a hole in the floor, Francesca enjoys a more comfortable life in a middle-class family with a maid. Her father owns a hat factory and is often absent, while her mother chases her dreams of acting and remains at home to embody the well-dressed lady.

Contrasting Worlds

Francesca's world revolves around rules and prohibition, with good manners taking priority over education. She's frustrated with her life, so she yells her anger while hiding in her father's clean shirts. She's enthralled by Maddalena, who lives carefree and disregards societal norms, running barefoot, skirt up, and legs in mud along the Lambro, alongside a communist's son and an esteemed fascist's son.

"In the world of Malnata, people competed to be scratched by cats, pain was simply licked off their skin along with the blood." Feeling caught up in Maddalena's world, Francesca wants to join it fully.

When Maddalena steals cherries and Francesca lies for her, they become friends. Francesca sneaks away from home whenever possible to spend time with Maddalena, learning her methods, becoming confident, defying injustice, and understanding the power of words.

Salvioni's "Malnata" exposes the harsh realities of a violent regime suppressing critical thought and disrespecting women's worth. Here, boys are taught to dominate female bodies. Francesca and Maddalena's older sister both face this issue.

Transforming Vulnerability

Malnata is a complex character, embodying vulnerability and rebellion. Despite her unconventional appearance—crooked hair and a still gaze—Maddalena refuses to let society dictate her life. She contradicts herself, acts independently, and isn't scared of anything. She carries the weight of her family's deaths.

"Malnata" is often compared to "My Ingenious Friend" by Elena Ferrante due to the similarities in plot, including fascism and male-driven power structures. Ferrante's friendship between the two girls, however, is more complex and conflicting.

The story revolves around the friendship of two girls: Francesca and Maddalena. Set against the backdrop of fascism in Italy, Francesca, a young girl of a well-off family, is bewildered by the free-spirited Maddalena, nicknamed 'Malnata' due to the trouble that seems to follow her. Maddalena has a remarkable ability to confront injustice and inspire courage in those around her, evident when she steals cherries with Francesca's help. Despite the dangerous reputation that precedes her, she emanates boldness.

Anja Nattefort artfully employs the distinct backgrounds of her characters to illustrate two distinct viewpoints: Francesca's relatives eagerly align with the town's fascists in order to gain prominence. Her father even joins the party to boost his hat sales, remarking he would have joined the "ladies' gymnastics group or the sewing circle" if it would have assisted him. Conversely, Maddalena's family expresses growing anti-fascist sentiments. Unlike the sons of influential party members, her brother was compelled to participate in Mussolini's war and didn't support any of them. Maddalena sparks a commotion when she declines to praise "the Duce" at the morning rally, a tradition drilled into the children from childhood.

Electrifying and Alluring

Interestingly, Anja Nattefort has not only linked this narrative to Elena Ferrante, as she has translated several of her early works into German and also "Malnata." She employs a vivacious, imaginative language to bring the story to life and maintains a subtle sense of Italian melodies. This fluidity transitions effortlessly into the audiobook version, where Rike Schmid has narrated with a methodical rhythm. As she has done with other books she's read, her striking, eerie voice draws you in and makes it impossible to break your concentration.

The specific events surrounding and following Lambro's attempted rape will not be divulged here. We'll just say this: the two pals eventually decide not to remain silent and endure male domination. "Being a grown woman and a female had nothing to do with the menstrual blood or the flattering remarks or fancy garments," Francesca concludes. "Being a grown woman meant looking a man in the eye when he exclaimed, 'You are mine,' and responding with, 'I belong to no one.'"