In 17 short chapters, Amok tells the story of an adolescent’s search for love, recognition, happiness and a place in today’s society. Via the use of often crude language, Tullio Forgiarini convincingly reflects the prevailing problems of social isolation, neglect, lack of perspective, behavioural disorders and senseless violence. Sharp dialogue, realistic depictions and a poetic economy in the carefully placed dream sequences distinguish Amok as a decidedly contemporary novel in both form and content. It leads the reader into an exploration of everyday realities that are often absent in the media as well as in public discourse. The reader is thrust into the imaginary and ingeniously crafted dream worlds of the protagonist that stand for his doomed attempts at escaping an unmanageable reality. They convey the sense of tragedy of the protagonist at simultaneously failing to negotiate and escape it.
