The Solitude of Prime Numbers (Italian: La solitudine dei numeri primi) is a novel by the Italian author Paolo Giordano and published in Italian in 2008 by Mondadori. The book was translated from Italian to English at some point by Shaun Whiteside. The book was released in English by Doubleday in Britain in 2009, and by Pamela Dorman Books in the United States in 2010, also in English.
This book won the 2008 Strega Prize. A cinematic adaptation of the novel was directed by Saverio Costanzo and released in 2010.
Contents
Overview
The novel narrates the childhood and early adulthood of a boy and girl who were each exposed to traumatic situations that followed them into adulthood. Both are described as outsiders, similar to how two prime numbers, like 11 and 13, "seem connected because of their proximity, but are not." Their relationship unfolds in a similar way, as they befriend each other and become very close but never romantic. Their relationship appears to have run its course, but circumstances bring them together again and while they clearly love each other, they are unable to express their emotions. This relationship is compared to prime pairs: always together, but never touching.
Although the setting is never mentioned explicitly, references to Gran Madre Church, the Basilica of Superga, the Maria Ausiliatrice hospital, and to Fraitève and Monte Fraiteve identify the locale as Turin.
Plot
As a seven-year-old girl, Alice Della Rocca is forced by her father to take skiing lessons, although she hates the ski school and has no particular aptitude for the sport. One morning, Alice is separated from the rest of the group and falls off a cliff, sustaining serious injuries. Alice will remain crippled for the rest of her life.
Mattia Balossino is a gifted and intelligent child, unlike his twin sister Michela, who has an intellectual disability. Isolated from the rest of his peers because of his uncomfortable sister, Mattia lives his childhood in solitude. When he and his sister are invited to a classmate's birthday party, Mattia leaves Michela in a park so he can attend the party without her. Upon his return to the park a few hours later, Michela has disappeared, perhaps drowned in a nearby pond, and is never found despite a police search and investigation.
These events deeply affect the lives of both Alice and Mattia. During adolescence, Alice has anorexia nervosa and is snubbed by boys as a cripple. With no social life, Alice draws the attention of Viola Bai, a popular but cruel girl in her class, who toys with Alice and briefly allows Alice into her circle of friends. With Viola's encouragement, Alice meets Mattia. Mattia is difficult to get along with; he is not interested in social interactions and has an unhealthy tendency to cut himself.
Alice and Mattia form an unusual friendship: each of them carries on with their own lives; however they return to look for one another. They continue to "date" even after high school. Both attend a university, where Mattia studies mathematics, and where Alice drops-out to pursue her passion for photography. When Alice's mother Fernanda is hospitalized for cancer treatment, Alice meets Fabio Rovelli, a young doctor who takes an interest in her. Mattia, meanwhile, completes his degree and receives an offer to teach at a university in Northern Europe (probably in Norway). While he is debating whether to leave Italy and take the job, Mattia finally tells Alice about Michela, and the two kiss for the first time. However, an argument between them convinces Mattia that leaving is the right decision. Later, Fernanda dies and Alice marries Fabio, while Mattia lives alone abroad.
The marriage between Fabio and Alice gradually disintegrates. Fabio wants a child, but Alice, who hasn't menstruated for years because of anorexia, cannot get pregnant and refuses to change her eating habits. The couple separates and Alice falls into depression.
Secondary characters
Soledad Galienas – the Della Roccas' Ecuadorian maid. She shows a maternal affection towards Alice, who does not always reciprocate, not only refusing food with anger but even blackmailing her to make her pretend to be Alice's mother, and as such allowing Alice to get a tattoo, what Alice's real parents would not do.
Viola Bai – a rich and popular girl who, despite her cruel behavior, becomes Alice's role model. Viola introduces Alice to Mattia, and Alice gets a tattoo of a violet as tribute. Viola soon ends their friendship, perhaps jealous of the closeness between Alice and Mattia. Later, Viola marries and seems to have softened, as Alice notes while photographing her wedding.
Denis – a classmate of Mattia's and the closest person he has to a friend. An initially closeted gay man, he feels a deep attraction to Mattia which fades with time.
Fabio Rovelli – the young doctor who treats Alice's mother. After a long courtship showcasing all his security and confidence, he marries Alice, but they separate following a dispute about her anorexia.
Alberto Torcia – Mattia's Italian colleague whom he met at university abroad. He is married and has a son named Philip.
Nadia – a friend of Alberto's who is introduced to Mattia midway through the novel; Mattia spends the night with her.
Mr Della Rocca – Alice's father, an attorney whose first name is never stated clearly. He and Alice do not have a good relationship after the incident.
Fernanda – Alice's mother who, towards the end of the book, dies of breast cancer.
Giada Savarino, Federica and Giulia Mazzoldi Mirandi – Viola's friends with whom they form the group called "the four asses". Alice meets Giada and Giulia again at Viola's wedding.