We Want Everything: A Novel

In 1969, Italy exploded into a revolution called "The Hot Autumn." Factory workers in the north demanded better pay and working conditions, leading to months of continuous strikes and eventually spilling into the streets. This novel by Nanni Balestrini provides a fictionalized account of the uprising, focusing on a young worker from the south who becomes swept up in the movement.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 12 April 2022
Publisher: Verso Books

The Autumn of 1969 marked a significant turning point in Italian history, as a wave of strikes and protests swept across the country, driven by workers demanding better pay and working conditions. This period became known as "Italy's Hot Autumn," a time of intense social and political turmoil.

In Nanni Balestrini's fictionalized account, a young worker named Antonio arrives at Fiat's Mirafiori factory in Torino, hoping to escape the poverty and hardship of his upbringing in the south. However, he soon finds himself trapped in a cycle of exploitation, working long hours for minimal pay and facing deplorable working conditions.

Antonio's frustration grows, and he begins agitating against his bosses, engaging in playful pranks and self-inflicting injuries to secure sick leave. His actions soon attract the attention of other workers, and a snowballing worker movement emerges, leading to months of continuous strikes at Mirafiori.

As the conflict escalates, the streets of Torino become lined with barricades, and the atmosphere is filled with tension and violence. Tear gas is used against protesters, and private homes are invaded by police forces. The growing pressure leads to an inevitable crack in the facade of authority, and the revolution that Antonio had hoped to ignite spreads beyond the factory walls.

We Want Everything, introduced by Rachel Kushner, is an explosive account of this revolution and its aftermath. Kushner provides a detailed and nuanced portrayal of the characters involved, from Antonio and his fellow workers to the politicians and police officers who tried to suppress the uprising. The book offers a powerful exploration of the social and economic factors that contributed to the unrest, as well as the political and cultural implications of the revolution.

The uprising of 1969 marked a significant turning point in Italian history, leading to a decade of radical unrest and social change. It paved the way for the emergence of new political movements, such as the Italian Communist Party and the Green Party, and inspired similar movements around the world. The legacy of the Hot Autumn continues to be felt today, as workers continue to fight for their rights and dignity in the face of economic inequality and political oppression.

Dimension: 210 x 140 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781784783693