The presentation of Paolo Sorrentino's novel "Everybody’s Right" took place at "Zangak" bookstore (photos)

A captivating, ironic, and charming novel that delves into the essence of Italy, the world, and the individual experience. The presentation of Sorrentino's acclaimed book, recipient of prestigious awards such as the "Oscar," "Golden Globe," and BAFTA, unfolded at the "Zangak" bookstore as part of Newmag's month. The event was skillfully led by film expert Karen Avetisyan, who highlighted Sorrentino's unique approach to storytelling, likening it to the artistry of cinematography translated onto the pages of his script.

“In any case, it's a fact, that is, the writing was with Sorrentino from the beginning, certainly not the fame that came after he became a film director. It was a big challenge in the Italian reality because Italy is considered one of the superpowers of auteur cinema in the 20th century."

Avetisyan mentioned Fellini and how he described Sorrentino. "It was the brightest, the most impressive, which tried to rely on the traditions of Italian cinema, realizing that it is difficult to create something new, as its forefathers in cinema once did."

The cinematographer identifies the crisis in Sorrentino's filmography, which permeates his literary work as well. It is the crisis, the process of confrontation, overcoming, and all that tragicomic process.

According to Anna Bakhshyan, the editor of the book, the novel is written in a rather complicated language. "There is a lot of art-house philosophy and aphoristic judgments, the author sometimes provides long philosophical reflections. The novel has a chaotic structure, like its films. Even the age interval, the author is 40 years old at the beginning of the novel, and 70 years old at the end."

Anna Bakhshyan noticed that both Sorrentino's films and this novel contain a lot of sarcasm and humor, which he presents quite masterfully. In one of his interviews, he was asked why he decided to write a book at 53. He answered that he had free time and didn't know what to do, and he decided to write a book because literature allows him to do what he cannot do with cinema.

"Although he wrote, he did not stop being a director, because the hero of the novel comes from his films. The hero, the famous pop singer Tony Pagoda, is the character of his 2001 film "One Man Up", which he matured and presented in the novel. If we compare Sorrentina's films with Fellini's films, literary critics have been quick to compare this novel with Hemingway's, Marcel Proust's book "In Search of Lost Time".

It's about a phenomenon called the Lost Generation. This novel is also about the generation of the 70s who lived in an environment of hot and dirty, drugs, sex, and cocaine and were on the way to finding the meaning of life. Tony Pagoda was somehow Sorrentino's alter ego decades ago because he didn't have the opportunity to face himself, to be honest with himself. That's why Sorrentino tried to introduce himself in the book."

Why did "Zangak" bookstore initiate the publication of the book? Astghik Ohanyan, head of the literary programs, has the answer to the question. "There are books in demand that need to be printed in Armenian. In the case of Sorrentino, we paid a little tribute to our taste, and desires, because we have a group of readers who love good art, cinema, and intellectual literature. In a way, we also want to bring this culture forward, and we are very happy that the Newmag publishing house met our step by translating and publishing the book."

According to Astghik Ohanyan, modern literature requires consistent steps, as well as interest in films. According to her, everyone has a desire to read the book, to get to know the intellectual from that side as well. Artak Aleksanyan, the CEO of the Newmag publishing house thanked the "Zangak" for initiating the publication of the book.

"We are grateful that "Zangak" initiated the Armenian edition of Paolo Sorrentino's book "Everybody’s Right". Do we want to translate this book, yes. Would we translate it without "Zangak"? No. Why? Because we would not find a sponsor for it."

The speakers assured that the book will not leave readers indifferent. Especially since there are many links here that will introduce the reader to new authors.