Novecento. Un monologo Summary & Key Insights

Alessandro Baricco's Novecento: A Monologue unfolds as a single, captivating narrative delivered by an unnamed narrator recounting the life story of Novecento, a prodigious pianist born and raised aboard the Virginian, an ocean liner perpetually traversing the Atlantic. The novel is less a plot-driven story and more a philosophical exploration of identity, freedom, and the limitations of choice.

Novecento, abandoned as an infant in the ship's third-class quarters, is discovered and raised by the ship's crew. He displays an innate musical talent, learning to play the piano by ear and eventually mastering the instrument to an unparalleled level. His entire life unfolds within the confined yet endlessly shifting world of the ship, a microcosm of humanity itself. He never steps foot on land, choosing instead the boundless sea as his only home.

The narrator, a close friend who meets Novecento later in his life, recounts his remarkable skill, describing performances that captivated both passengers and crew. Novecento's music transcends the ordinary; it reflects the ocean's moods, the ship's rhythm, and the lives of the people who inhabit it. He develops a unique improvisational style, capable of playing anything from ragtime to classical pieces, and even composing his own music. He's known for his extraordinary ability to engage with and capture the essence of each individual he meets through his music.

The central conflict, if it can be called that, lies not in external events but in Novecento's internal struggle with the concept of stepping onto land. His existence, entirely bound to the ship, presents a peculiar form of freedom. He's unbound by societal expectations and the limitations of terrestrial life. Yet, this freedom is also a cage, a self-imposed exile that prevents him from experiencing the full spectrum of human experience.

Several smaller narratives weave into Novecento's story, highlighting the encounters and relationships forged within the microcosm of the ship. These encounters highlight the contrast between the life at sea, fluid and unpredictable, and the terrestrial world, perceived as rigid and confining.

The overarching theme of the novel is the exploration of choice and its consequences. Novecento's ultimate decision, to remain on the ship and ultimately perish with it rather than step ashore, embodies the central philosophical tension. He chooses a life of self-imposed limitations, a profound freedom born from rejecting the conventional expectations of land-based existence. This choice, though seemingly self-destructive, showcases an exceptional form of self-determination and contentment, ultimately posing a poignant question about the true meaning of freedom. The story leaves the reader contemplating the nature of identity and the diverse paths to fulfillment.