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La tempesta di Sasà
IL RISCATTO DA UN DESTINO CHE SEMBRAVA SEGNATO PER SEMPRE«Mai arrendersi, perché nella vita tutto è possibile e Salvatore Striano ne è la prova vivente.»la RepubblicaNella vita possiamo perderci, e molto spesso ci perdiamo. Ma non è mai per sempre. Salvatore Striano a quattordici anni aveva la guerra in testa, la cocaina nel sangue e due pistole infilate nei calzoni. Era uno dei leader delle Teste matte, una banda di ragazzini terribili che si sono fatti camorristi per difendersi dalla camorra. Vita di strada, anni di sangue. Poi il carcere, non ancora trentenne. Un destino segnato, il suo. Invece è proprio dal punto più basso e disperato che la vita stravolge. Grazie a un amore che resiste nonostante tutto. Grazie alla scoperta magica dei libri e della letteratura, di Shakespeare che inizia a scorrergli nelle vene come una droga che non uccide ma salva. Proprio lui che a scuola non ci è mai andato.Questo romanzo racconta la sua rinascita, dall’inferno del carcere spagnolo di Valdemoro (Madrid), passando per Rebibbia e diventando, oggi, uno dei più sorprendenti e stimati attori italiani. Una storia che parla di noi, della paura di cadere e, se cadiamo, di non farcela a rialzarci, di tradimento, perdono, vendetta, dell’irresistibile desiderio di libertà, dei sentimenti lieti e tristi che ci accompagnano quando viviamo davvero e del deserto che invece ci governa quando ci lasciamo vivere pensando che sia già tutto deciso, chissà da chi e chissà dove.LA TEMPESTA DI SASÀ è un libro sul potere delle parole e della letteratura, sull’amore per i libri che può cambiare la vita. Sasà ne è la prova vivente. La sua personale e travolgente tempesta, la testimonianza più vera e più bella.
- GenresNonfiction
162 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 22, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
February 21, 2025
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View my full review on: diaryofdifference.com/2018/04/20/set-...
This is a story about an Italian prisoner that tells us how the prison system works, all the unfairness in it, and this is also a story that tells us how a person can still turn up good into a bad environment, and I was very happy that I witnessed that change from one chapter into another.
The way it was written was quite good, even though at times it felt a bit blunt and boring. Shakespeare was used in the book a lot, and sometimes he was overused and was in places where he shouldn’t have been. I believe that Shakespeare had influence over Sasa, but not as much as the theatre itself. I believe it was the theatre that made Sasa free, and not Shakespeare in particular. At the end of the day, I actually think that Sasa made himself free… Sometimes you only need a little push and nothing else.
I loved Sasa’s character, and I loved the way he sees life. I love how he sees the positive in all the negative, and besides all, he still wants to be a better person. We are all human, and we all make mistakes, and sometimes people know they made mistakes, regret them and want to become better. That is exactly what Sasa did, in an unfair environment.
I thought the prison was presented a bit unrealistic, as we all know what happens inside, and as much as Sasa wouldn’t hurt anyone if not necessary, almost 90% of the other inmates would – on regular basis. This was a little fact that annoyed me a bit. Other than that, I really enjoyed the book and can’t wait to read another book from Salvatore Striano.
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View my full review on: diaryofdifference.com/2018/04/20/set-...
This is a story about an Italian prisoner that tells us how the prison system works, all the unfairness in it, and this is also a story that tells us how a person can still turn up good into a bad environment, and I was very happy that I witnessed that change from one chapter into another.
The way it was written was quite good, even though at times it felt a bit blunt and boring. Shakespeare was used in the book a lot, and sometimes he was overused and was in places where he shouldn’t have been. I believe that Shakespeare had influence over Sasa, but not as much as the theatre itself. I believe it was the theatre that made Sasa free, and not Shakespeare in particular. At the end of the day, I actually think that Sasa made himself free… Sometimes you only need a little push and nothing else.
I loved Sasa’s character, and I loved the way he sees life. I love how he sees the positive in all the negative, and besides all, he still wants to be a better person. We are all human, and we all make mistakes, and sometimes people know they made mistakes, regret them and want to become better. That is exactly what Sasa did, in an unfair environment.
I thought the prison was presented a bit unrealistic, as we all know what happens inside, and as much as Sasa wouldn’t hurt anyone if not necessary, almost 90% of the other inmates would – on regular basis. This was a little fact that annoyed me a bit. Other than that, I really enjoyed the book and can’t wait to read another book from Salvatore Striano.
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May 10, 2019
‘We are such stuff As dreams are made on, and our little life Is rounded with a sleep.’
Prospero in The Tempest Act IV, Scene I
I knew I would like this book.
Demonstrating how culture can save life is one of the most beautiful things that can happen in this world and Salvatore Striano tells us about his experience as a prisoner-actor in the prison of Rome. The stage gives new life to the inmates, who can get out of their miserable lives, putting the role of celebrities like those of Shakespeare's comedies. Speaking through the sentences of these figures helps the prisoners to better understand themselves and the world that has condemned them. Studying the work of old Masters helps to know humanity and human thought, to become human, to discover our potentials and/or our shortcomings, our faults.
I would have underlined the entire book, because every thought the author expresses is a little pearl of wisdom, a little truth that makes the heart open or makes you sad. Shakespeare speaks of feelings, hearts, love and jealousy: they are the same things and emotions that men have around the world, whether they are locked up or not in a prison. If the prison removes humanity from a person culture can give hope to those who have lost it, thanks to the magic of words. Words have the power to break chains and, at the same time, have the power to create chains that connect every human being who reads those words of Shakespeare, words that make you feel the shiver.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for sending me an ARC
Prospero in The Tempest Act IV, Scene I
I knew I would like this book.
Demonstrating how culture can save life is one of the most beautiful things that can happen in this world and Salvatore Striano tells us about his experience as a prisoner-actor in the prison of Rome. The stage gives new life to the inmates, who can get out of their miserable lives, putting the role of celebrities like those of Shakespeare's comedies. Speaking through the sentences of these figures helps the prisoners to better understand themselves and the world that has condemned them. Studying the work of old Masters helps to know humanity and human thought, to become human, to discover our potentials and/or our shortcomings, our faults.
I would have underlined the entire book, because every thought the author expresses is a little pearl of wisdom, a little truth that makes the heart open or makes you sad. Shakespeare speaks of feelings, hearts, love and jealousy: they are the same things and emotions that men have around the world, whether they are locked up or not in a prison. If the prison removes humanity from a person culture can give hope to those who have lost it, thanks to the magic of words. Words have the power to break chains and, at the same time, have the power to create chains that connect every human being who reads those words of Shakespeare, words that make you feel the shiver.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for sending me an ARC
March 14, 2018
*Disclaimer. I received an advance copy of the English translation courtesy of The Text Publishing Company and Netgalley in exchange for a fair review*
I've read my fair share of translations. Not one of them has made me wish I could read in another language quite like this. Brigid Maher's translation is fantastic, but knowing how beautiful a language Italian can be, I can only imagine how stunning the original text of this fantastic novel would be.
Based closely on author Salvatore "Sasa" Striano's real life experiences as a prisoner (he's now a successful actor as well as an author) this is the story of a career criminal whose discovery of theatre and in particular Shakespeare changes the entire trajectory of his life.
It's a short novel that manages to convey so much growth in such a small amount of pages that I just couldn't help feeling every emotion Sasa described. Starting out as a prison novel is a perfect way to suck the reader in before the chance to join a theatre troupe in the maximum security wing sees Sasa start to see life in a different way.
This is the simple story of how a love of the stage and a long dead English playwright put a man on a different path. It may be simple, but it's beautiful in its simplicity.
I've read my fair share of translations. Not one of them has made me wish I could read in another language quite like this. Brigid Maher's translation is fantastic, but knowing how beautiful a language Italian can be, I can only imagine how stunning the original text of this fantastic novel would be.
Based closely on author Salvatore "Sasa" Striano's real life experiences as a prisoner (he's now a successful actor as well as an author) this is the story of a career criminal whose discovery of theatre and in particular Shakespeare changes the entire trajectory of his life.
It's a short novel that manages to convey so much growth in such a small amount of pages that I just couldn't help feeling every emotion Sasa described. Starting out as a prison novel is a perfect way to suck the reader in before the chance to join a theatre troupe in the maximum security wing sees Sasa start to see life in a different way.
This is the simple story of how a love of the stage and a long dead English playwright put a man on a different path. It may be simple, but it's beautiful in its simplicity.
May 12, 2022
Una testimonianza davvero interessante di quanto la letteratura e il teatro possano fare per cambiare le nostre vite. Attraverso il racconto in prima persona della sua esperienza di malavitoso prima, di latitante in seguito e di carcerato infine, Salvatore Striano delinea in maniera chiara ed evidente le lacune che il sistema carcerario italiano porta con sé.
La sua vita è cambiata nel momento in cui ha incontrato i libri, il teatro e Shakespeare. Ma è stato un caso, una fortuna. Molti non hanno avuto la sua fortuna. Di questo Striano è ben consapevole ed è forse questo il messaggio più forte di questo libro-testimonianza. Non è giusto che sia tutta una questione di fortuna. Dobbiamo lavorare perché sempre più persone abbiano la possibilità di cambiare la loro vita, di scoprire il loro vero essere, di trovare storie e parole che le aiutino a modellare la loro esistenza.
Per Striano è stato Shakespeare e la sua Tempesta incontrata per caso in carcere nella versione di Eduardo De Filippo, mi piace credere che per ognuno esista un autore o un'opera in grado di cambiare la vita.
La sua vita è cambiata nel momento in cui ha incontrato i libri, il teatro e Shakespeare. Ma è stato un caso, una fortuna. Molti non hanno avuto la sua fortuna. Di questo Striano è ben consapevole ed è forse questo il messaggio più forte di questo libro-testimonianza. Non è giusto che sia tutta una questione di fortuna. Dobbiamo lavorare perché sempre più persone abbiano la possibilità di cambiare la loro vita, di scoprire il loro vero essere, di trovare storie e parole che le aiutino a modellare la loro esistenza.
Per Striano è stato Shakespeare e la sua Tempesta incontrata per caso in carcere nella versione di Eduardo De Filippo, mi piace credere che per ognuno esista un autore o un'opera in grado di cambiare la vita.
December 21, 2017
Probably the best book I have read in 2017. This is clearly a true story which belongs to the author. It is an inspiring story of how the power of reading and acting - literature in general - brings the main character, Salvatore, to a new mind set, a contentedness away from a life of leading gangs.
I loved the wit and intellect of the first person narrative and the way the voice just fills the page with a passion for theatre and Shakespeare.
Contrasting with this is of course the harsh reality of prison and of the crime system.
Drugs and Shakespeare? This is THE book.
I loved the wit and intellect of the first person narrative and the way the voice just fills the page with a passion for theatre and Shakespeare.
Contrasting with this is of course the harsh reality of prison and of the crime system.
Drugs and Shakespeare? This is THE book.
June 2, 2018
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
Shakespeare has long been seen as a literary genius but can his work be redemptive and transformative? According to the author of this memoir, Salvatore Striano, it can. In this translation of his book from its original Italian, Striano tells how his life of crime and membership of a gang called the Hotheads leads to his incarceration for various offences. He is looking at 14 years in a maximum security prison with nothing to get him through the day.
After a bereavement Striano turns to prescription drugs to get him through and it looks as though he will spend the rest of his sentence high as a kite, until a fellow inmate entices him to join the prison theatre group. To his sincere surprise Striano is a natural. He is able to give himself entirely to the performance. It is wonderful to see how this man who has lost all hope, who has spent a lifetime at war with himself and others, opens up, surrendering himself to the power of literature. Once he starts he cannot stop and his deepest affection is for Shakespeare – his performance as Ariel in The Tempest is devastating as he plays a character shackled but promised freedom.
Striano’s testimony makes a strong case for prison reform. His participation in theatre led him to literature and from then his involvement as a positive force for change within the prison was set. He comes up with numerous initiatives to improve conditions, to improve the prisoners and to improve himself. Prison as rehabilitation is demonstrated as better for everyone – if the prisoner is rehabilitated they are far less likely to reoffend and far more likely to be able to contribute to society. This is an extraordinary work. Striano is upfront about his crimes, about the person he was and the realities of prison life but has written an inspirational work about change and the cleansing, transformative power of literature.
Shakespeare has long been seen as a literary genius but can his work be redemptive and transformative? According to the author of this memoir, Salvatore Striano, it can. In this translation of his book from its original Italian, Striano tells how his life of crime and membership of a gang called the Hotheads leads to his incarceration for various offences. He is looking at 14 years in a maximum security prison with nothing to get him through the day.
After a bereavement Striano turns to prescription drugs to get him through and it looks as though he will spend the rest of his sentence high as a kite, until a fellow inmate entices him to join the prison theatre group. To his sincere surprise Striano is a natural. He is able to give himself entirely to the performance. It is wonderful to see how this man who has lost all hope, who has spent a lifetime at war with himself and others, opens up, surrendering himself to the power of literature. Once he starts he cannot stop and his deepest affection is for Shakespeare – his performance as Ariel in The Tempest is devastating as he plays a character shackled but promised freedom.
Striano’s testimony makes a strong case for prison reform. His participation in theatre led him to literature and from then his involvement as a positive force for change within the prison was set. He comes up with numerous initiatives to improve conditions, to improve the prisoners and to improve himself. Prison as rehabilitation is demonstrated as better for everyone – if the prisoner is rehabilitated they are far less likely to reoffend and far more likely to be able to contribute to society. This is an extraordinary work. Striano is upfront about his crimes, about the person he was and the realities of prison life but has written an inspirational work about change and the cleansing, transformative power of literature.
October 13, 2025
This was quite a unique read and I really enjoyed the change of style.
Set Me Free was written about AND by Salvatore Striano, a former Italian prisoner who through the introduction of theatre into his prison had his life changed.
This is a very easy read and touches on some tough topics, but is generally light hearted in nature.
Set Me Free was written about AND by Salvatore Striano, a former Italian prisoner who through the introduction of theatre into his prison had his life changed.
This is a very easy read and touches on some tough topics, but is generally light hearted in nature.
April 1, 2018
[Congrats to the translator : this book has been successfully translated in a most readable style.]
I have read many books about Italians in prison, but none like this where the inmate himself is telling his story.
And what a story - quite different from the 'norm', this is a progression of positive changes : it really is possible!
No-one is beyond redemption, & in this case it comes in the most surprising of ways.
There are moving moments - when a prisoner reveals he cannot act being in love as he has been in prison since the age of 18, & never experienced a loving relationship with anyone. Or the writer's state of mind on losing his mother - criminals are sons, too...
It is surprising to find that a book about a gang criminal imprisoned for his crimes, turns out to be a heartwrenching journey of hope. This helps us to remember that prisoners are also humans - we need to identify with them, & search for the real person hidden inside the bad behaviour. If they had been given different opportunities, different examples, early in their life...what a different outcome there may have been.
I knew that Shakespeare has universal appeal - I have read of his popularity amongst Indian students - but am still amazed at his power to touch the soul of an unschooled Italian, & literally change his life.
A book written from the heart, & reaching the heart : well worth reading! May we learn compassion for those who have been following the only path which seemed possible to them, & always remember : 'there but for the grace of God go I.'
I have read many books about Italians in prison, but none like this where the inmate himself is telling his story.
And what a story - quite different from the 'norm', this is a progression of positive changes : it really is possible!
No-one is beyond redemption, & in this case it comes in the most surprising of ways.
There are moving moments - when a prisoner reveals he cannot act being in love as he has been in prison since the age of 18, & never experienced a loving relationship with anyone. Or the writer's state of mind on losing his mother - criminals are sons, too...
It is surprising to find that a book about a gang criminal imprisoned for his crimes, turns out to be a heartwrenching journey of hope. This helps us to remember that prisoners are also humans - we need to identify with them, & search for the real person hidden inside the bad behaviour. If they had been given different opportunities, different examples, early in their life...what a different outcome there may have been.
I knew that Shakespeare has universal appeal - I have read of his popularity amongst Indian students - but am still amazed at his power to touch the soul of an unschooled Italian, & literally change his life.
A book written from the heart, & reaching the heart : well worth reading! May we learn compassion for those who have been following the only path which seemed possible to them, & always remember : 'there but for the grace of God go I.'
March 19, 2017
Io Sasà Striano l'ho incontrato un giorno nel carcere di Marassi. C'ero andato a vedere uno spettacolo messo su da una compagnia di reclusi, lui c'era per leggere dei passi da un adattamento de La Tempesta tradotta in napoletano da Eduardo. Era la prima volta che entravo in un carcere, ed era la prima per lui che ci tornava da uomo libero. Eravamo emozionati tutti e due, solo che io non ho dovuto raccontare al microfono come mi sentivo a essere lì. E meno male, perché io non avrei suscitato nel pubblico quella commozione che lui invece mi ha tirato fuori.
Sarei andato ad abbracciarlo, dopo, ma sono schivo e me ne sono venuto via.
Il libro me l'ha regalato Drusilla, che era con me allora e capisce le cose, ed è un libro onesto. Parla di vita in prigione e di gestione del sistema carcerario, che sono argomenti interessanti, ma parla anche di teatro, che mi tocca da vicino, e parla di rapporti umani difficili, di perdono e di empatia, e su quello non ho mai imparato abbastanza. Drusilla capisce molto più di quel che dice.
Sarei andato ad abbracciarlo, dopo, ma sono schivo e me ne sono venuto via.
Il libro me l'ha regalato Drusilla, che era con me allora e capisce le cose, ed è un libro onesto. Parla di vita in prigione e di gestione del sistema carcerario, che sono argomenti interessanti, ma parla anche di teatro, che mi tocca da vicino, e parla di rapporti umani difficili, di perdono e di empatia, e su quello non ho mai imparato abbastanza. Drusilla capisce molto più di quel che dice.
January 4, 2018
Ancora una volta un libro molto interessante di Salvatore Striano.
L'entusiasmo che trasmette l'autore e' molto coinvolgente, S.Striano' oltre ad interpetrare i valori di questo testo, si presenta anche da persona altruista, ad esempio quando cerca di coinvolgere altre persone a partecipare al gruppo teatrale del carcere, per tener viva la loro anima.
Non ho mai letto Shakespeare, ed ammetto che dopo aver letto La Tempesta di Sasa', sono molto tentato a leggere anche "The Tempest" di W. Shakespeare.
Consiglio di leggere questo libro di S. Striano, che e' una grande testimonianza di come non c'e' bisogno di magie e grandi opere per trasformare il male in bene, ma bensi' la forza di volonta' , la passione, e la letteratura.
L'entusiasmo che trasmette l'autore e' molto coinvolgente, S.Striano' oltre ad interpetrare i valori di questo testo, si presenta anche da persona altruista, ad esempio quando cerca di coinvolgere altre persone a partecipare al gruppo teatrale del carcere, per tener viva la loro anima.
Non ho mai letto Shakespeare, ed ammetto che dopo aver letto La Tempesta di Sasa', sono molto tentato a leggere anche "The Tempest" di W. Shakespeare.
Consiglio di leggere questo libro di S. Striano, che e' una grande testimonianza di come non c'e' bisogno di magie e grandi opere per trasformare il male in bene, ma bensi' la forza di volonta' , la passione, e la letteratura.
February 22, 2018
I really liked how this was written as Striano had a great lyrical prose style. The story was told in a way that was well done and it was a very addicted story to follow. I couldn't put it down and just wanted to know what happened next. The use of the theatre was a great tool as it is one of my main passions and Striano utilises it in a way that shows how things like drama therapy can help as a rehabilitation tool.
I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
June 23, 2019
This is a wonderful book! I think I have more understanding of Shakespeare now than ever before in my long life. Although there are many books about a Shakespeare play being produced in an unusual stetting with novice actors, this book has a uniquely fascinating voice and has a true story at it's heart. Read this book and you will be pleased you got to know Salvatore Striano, and "his" Shakespeare.
May 17, 2016
Ci sono libri che parlano di uomini e ci sono uomini che sono già libri basta metterli su carta.
Una meravigliosa biografia con al centro i temi che amo e su cui lavoro: carcere, teatro e Shakespeare.
Da leggere assolutamente anche per scoprire che le prigioni non sono solo quella fisiche con le sbarre ma esistono anche quelle della nostra mente.
Una meravigliosa biografia con al centro i temi che amo e su cui lavoro: carcere, teatro e Shakespeare.
Da leggere assolutamente anche per scoprire che le prigioni non sono solo quella fisiche con le sbarre ma esistono anche quelle della nostra mente.
August 31, 2019
Iš įdomios perspektyvos parašyta knyga. Stebina tai, kad rašantysis savęs neteisina, bet stengiasi į viską žiūrėti objektyviai, analizuoja save remdamasis literatūra. Ypatingai jį paveikia ir susimąstyti priverčia Šekspyro kūryba.
Nori ar nenori, knyga priverčia apmąstyti kai kuriuos dalykus. / A book written from an interesting perspective. It is surprising that a writer does not justify himself, but tries to look at everything objectively and analyzes himself based on literature. Shakespeare's work was of special importance to him.
Like it or not, the book makes you think about some things.
Nori ar nenori, knyga priverčia apmąstyti kai kuriuos dalykus. / A book written from an interesting perspective. It is surprising that a writer does not justify himself, but tries to look at everything objectively and analyzes himself based on literature. Shakespeare's work was of special importance to him.
Like it or not, the book makes you think about some things.
June 15, 2020
Keista knyga. Parašyta vyresnių klasių moksleivio rašinėlio-interpretacijos stiliumi: analizuojamas iš esmės Šekspyras, jo dramą pritaikant kalinčio žmogaus situacijai.
Trečią žvaigždutę pridedu tik todėl, kad istorija tikra ir, matyt, išgyvenimai taip pat. Jeigu menas tikrai taip keičia gyvenimus, tuomet puiku. Bet šiaip knyga man per primityvi.
Trečią žvaigždutę pridedu tik todėl, kad istorija tikra ir, matyt, išgyvenimai taip pat. Jeigu menas tikrai taip keičia gyvenimus, tuomet puiku. Bet šiaip knyga man per primityvi.
April 15, 2020
Review:
"Set Me Free: The Story of How Shakespeare Saved A Life" By Salvatore Striano
I enjoyed this one.
Sasà is a Neapolitan criminal who by the age of fourteen is leading a gang of wild boys involved in street violence and drug dealing in the Spanish quarters of Naples. He's in prison by the age of thirty, his life all but mapped out. That's when Shakespeare steps in.
At Sasá's most hopeless point, he is persuaded to join the prison's drama troupe. In Shakespeare's Tempest, Sasá stumbles on what he needs to explain the world which has defined his own life. Set Me Free is a story about betrayal, forgiveness and, above all, the transformative power of reading.
This book combines 2 sides of a Man. One is really tough and dangerous, the other one is poetic and sensitive.
I do believe, that every man has these 2 sides inside them. Here I speak only for men, because the main character is a very serious man. A person who was involved in Mafia wars and drug dealing.
So you could only imagine what world surrounds him.
Please do some research on the internet, because there are plays and movies in which Salvatore plays in.
Rating: 9/10
"Set Me Free: The Story of How Shakespeare Saved A Life" By Salvatore Striano
I enjoyed this one.
Sasà is a Neapolitan criminal who by the age of fourteen is leading a gang of wild boys involved in street violence and drug dealing in the Spanish quarters of Naples. He's in prison by the age of thirty, his life all but mapped out. That's when Shakespeare steps in.
At Sasá's most hopeless point, he is persuaded to join the prison's drama troupe. In Shakespeare's Tempest, Sasá stumbles on what he needs to explain the world which has defined his own life. Set Me Free is a story about betrayal, forgiveness and, above all, the transformative power of reading.
This book combines 2 sides of a Man. One is really tough and dangerous, the other one is poetic and sensitive.
I do believe, that every man has these 2 sides inside them. Here I speak only for men, because the main character is a very serious man. A person who was involved in Mafia wars and drug dealing.
So you could only imagine what world surrounds him.
Please do some research on the internet, because there are plays and movies in which Salvatore plays in.
Rating: 9/10
January 10, 2019
Parte bene, molto bene! Poi l'autocompiacimento e la retorica hanno ammazzato il libro.
July 31, 2019
Mintis įdomi, žmogaus gyvenimas irgi atrodo labai spalvingas. Pati knyga parašyta labai "sugreitintai", nuobodžiai, buvo galima daug labiau išsiplėsti, leistis į detales.
September 17, 2020
Super interesting book - mostly novel and part autobiography. Smartly written.
December 25, 2018
I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review some time ago but due to several circumstances hadn't come around to reading and reviewing it earlier.
Unjustly so as it turns out, because it is a waste to leave this little gem unread on your ereader, iPad or traditional bookshelf. It turned out to be a really interesting and well written book.
The name Salvatore Striano didn't ring a bell for me until I started reading the book, which is actually the real life story about his capture and imprisonment in Spain and later in the Rebibbia jail in Rome.
Striano was a small time Cammorista from an early age who fled to Spain but in the end was discovered and send jail. After the relatively moderate regime in the prison in Madrid he is send to the infamous Rebibbia prison in Rome where at first he has difficulty adapting, until he joins the prison's theatre company, which is a turning point in his life.
At first they play a piece by the Italian writer Eduardo de Filippo, and Sasá as he is called turns out to be a really talented actor.
when the prison librarian lends him the complete works by Shakespeare he has really found his destiny and he doesn't rest until the next play they perform is the tempest by Shakespeare.
In the end the theatre and his love for Shakespeare really sets him free and on the path of a successful actor. That's when I remembered why the name Salvatore Striano sounded so familiar, among others he played a role in the film Gomorra.
The book is really beautifully written. I received the English version from the publisher but I am very curious how the Italian version "sounds"and I think I will have a peek at the Italian version as well.
Full credits for this book
Unjustly so as it turns out, because it is a waste to leave this little gem unread on your ereader, iPad or traditional bookshelf. It turned out to be a really interesting and well written book.
The name Salvatore Striano didn't ring a bell for me until I started reading the book, which is actually the real life story about his capture and imprisonment in Spain and later in the Rebibbia jail in Rome.
Striano was a small time Cammorista from an early age who fled to Spain but in the end was discovered and send jail. After the relatively moderate regime in the prison in Madrid he is send to the infamous Rebibbia prison in Rome where at first he has difficulty adapting, until he joins the prison's theatre company, which is a turning point in his life.
At first they play a piece by the Italian writer Eduardo de Filippo, and Sasá as he is called turns out to be a really talented actor.
when the prison librarian lends him the complete works by Shakespeare he has really found his destiny and he doesn't rest until the next play they perform is the tempest by Shakespeare.
In the end the theatre and his love for Shakespeare really sets him free and on the path of a successful actor. That's when I remembered why the name Salvatore Striano sounded so familiar, among others he played a role in the film Gomorra.
The book is really beautifully written. I received the English version from the publisher but I am very curious how the Italian version "sounds"and I think I will have a peek at the Italian version as well.
Full credits for this book
May 11, 2022
Lettura veramente interessante. Racconta la storia di Sasà Striano, prima scugnizzo e poi detenuto. Sembra che la sua vita sia già segnata, ma proprio in carcere trova la forza di cambiare le sue sorti tramite la letteratura e il teatro. Lui ci dimostra che non importa dove nasciamo, chi siano i nostri genitori e quali siano le nostre amicizie, il volere è potere, possiamo fare tutto ciò che desideriamo però solo se c’è la volontà (oppure come dice Silente:“se solo si ricorda di accendere la luce”).
September 18, 2020
Set Me Free is the story of how Shakespeare saved Salvatore Striano’s life. Salvatore, an Italian prisoner who grew up in a gang in Naples, discovers a love of reading and theatre while in prison which completely changes his life. The story shows what Salvatore was like before he discovered reading. I enjoyed this part of the novel. I found his explanations of the prison system interesting. By showing his life before reading and then the changes in his life as he starts to read and then after a love for reading has developed we are able to see his growth as a person.
While I enjoyed watching the growth of Salvatore there were a few things that made this a difficult reading for me. The writing was very simple. This book is a book in translation and I don’t know if the simple writing is the author’s style or translation. The narrator had a very self righteous manner and there were way to many pages of personal opinions. There were also a lot of instances where it felt like he was bragging about all the people who looked up to him which turned me off. The author had good points to make. I just prefer not to be lectured when I read a book but to figure things out on my own.
I did love reading about how much Shakespeare means to the author. He has the ability to get way more out of Shakespeare than I ever have. He knows how to apply characters in Shakespeare’s plays to his life and is able to learn from them which I find very admirable.
My copy of Set Me Free was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks!
While I enjoyed watching the growth of Salvatore there were a few things that made this a difficult reading for me. The writing was very simple. This book is a book in translation and I don’t know if the simple writing is the author’s style or translation. The narrator had a very self righteous manner and there were way to many pages of personal opinions. There were also a lot of instances where it felt like he was bragging about all the people who looked up to him which turned me off. The author had good points to make. I just prefer not to be lectured when I read a book but to figure things out on my own.
I did love reading about how much Shakespeare means to the author. He has the ability to get way more out of Shakespeare than I ever have. He knows how to apply characters in Shakespeare’s plays to his life and is able to learn from them which I find very admirable.
My copy of Set Me Free was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks!
December 15, 2017
‘An interesting and lively story of an individual who rediscovers his dignity’
Otago Daily Times
Otago Daily Times
February 25, 2022
[3.5 stars] An uplifting story of redemption through reading and Shakespeare.
March 4, 2018
I got this book from Netgalley for an honest review.
I did not finish this book; I found the tone and pacing difficult to follow and couldn't connect with the narrator at all. The setting of prison felt unrealistic and didn't seem to have an impact on the narrator at all, except to reassure him that no other prison is like this. While every chapter started with a quote from Shakespeare, it didn't seem to relate to or reflect what was within the chapter.
I'm afraid I didn't find this book as interesting as the blurb suggested.
I did not finish this book; I found the tone and pacing difficult to follow and couldn't connect with the narrator at all. The setting of prison felt unrealistic and didn't seem to have an impact on the narrator at all, except to reassure him that no other prison is like this. While every chapter started with a quote from Shakespeare, it didn't seem to relate to or reflect what was within the chapter.
I'm afraid I didn't find this book as interesting as the blurb suggested.
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March 26, 2018Sasa has spent the earlier part of his life committing criminal acts. He has gotten caught in the act several times and nothing has stopped him from living his life of crime. Until he has to go away for fourteen years. He starts in a cushy jail in Spain, and hopes to be able to stay there, until he is moved to Italy, where the crimes were committed. He is unsure of how he will be able to stay out of trouble at home. He knows that he was ratted out, but not by who. He has no idea who else is in the jail and how safe he will be there, but it is what it is, and he has to go. During his time in jail, he joins a theatre group. He is a star in the initial show. Afterwards, the troupe is introduced to Shakespeare and it changes his life and his perceptions of the past, the present and the future. Shakespeare allows for Sasa to see who he is and how the people around him are in relation to the prison system. Currently rehearsing for The Tempest, he becomes Ariel, and has all manner of feelings around the word freedom. He is not sure how his life will look when he is free, but he wants the chance to move through his sentence in the best way possible. I really enjoyed this book. It brought new life to Shakespeare for me, and the explanations of what is being said were spot on.
September 12, 2018
Salvatore Striano is the well-known Italian actor who appeared in the films and television shows, Gomorra and Cesare deve morire (based on William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar).
Salvatore was involved in a gang in the street violence and drug dealing in the Spanish quarters of Naples, carrying pistols. He was in prison when he first discovered William Shakespeare and was suggested to join the prison troupe.
This story was about the changes in Salvatore’s behaviour. There was also betrayal and forgiveness.
I applaud the actor’s true biography and hope to see the new Shakespeare’s plays in the Italian versions.
Caesar 13
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review
Salvatore was involved in a gang in the street violence and drug dealing in the Spanish quarters of Naples, carrying pistols. He was in prison when he first discovered William Shakespeare and was suggested to join the prison troupe.
This story was about the changes in Salvatore’s behaviour. There was also betrayal and forgiveness.
I applaud the actor’s true biography and hope to see the new Shakespeare’s plays in the Italian versions.
Caesar 13
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review
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