Anastasia Rubis’ debut novel, Oriana: A Novel of Oriana Fallaci, offers an intimate portrayal of the renowned Italian journalist Oriana Fallaci, celebrated for her fearless interviews and groundbreaking journalism. The book delves into Fallaci’s life, from her early resistance against Nazi occupation in Italy to her illustrious career interviewing global leaders and celebrities. The narrative also explores her personal struggles, including her poignant relationship with Greek poet and politician Alexandros Panagoulis.
Rubis is an accomplished writer whose work has appeared in the New York Times, Huffington Post, New York Observer, and numerous literary journals. One of her stories, “Blue Pools,” was included in the anthology Oh, Baby, published by Creative Nonfiction and edited by Lee Gutkind. Another story, “Girl Falling,” was named a Notable Essay in Best Essays of 2014. She co-wrote and co-directed a 13-minute documentary titled Breakfast Lunch Dinner: The Greek Diner Story on YouTube.
Read more about Anastasia Rubis here.
On October 22, 2024, the audiobook adaptation of Oriana was released, featuring narration by Anthoula Katsimatides. Katsimatides, an accomplished actor, writer, and voice-over artist, brings a compelling depth to the story, capturing the essence of Fallaci’s dynamic life and career.
The audiobook is available on platforms such as Audible, providing an engaging experience for listeners interested in the life of one of journalism’s most formidable figures.
Oriana Fallaci was an Italian journalist, author, and war correspondent whose life was as dramatic and intense as the stories she covered. Born in 1929 in Florence, Italy, Fallaci grew up during a time of political turmoil, marked by World War II and Italy’s internal struggle. She joined the Italian anti-fascist resistance as a teenager, bravely standing up against oppression. This early exposure to conflict and injustice shaped her journalistic style, which would later become known for its tenacity and outspokenness.
Fallaci began her journalism career in the 1950s, and by the 1960s, she had established herself as a powerful voice in international reporting. Her unique approach involved deeply personal and probing interviews, capturing her subjects’ vulnerabilities and exposing their hypocrisies. She interviewed some of the most prominent figures of her time, including the Shah of Iran, Yasser Arafat, Indira Gandhi, and Henry Kissinger. Her interview with Kissinger remains one of her most famous; he later admitted that it was the most damaging interview he ever gave, thanks to her relentless questioning.
Fallaci’s work extended beyond political leaders. She covered some of the most significant events of the 20th century, including the Vietnam War, the 1968 Tlatelolco massacre in Mexico City, and conflicts in the Middle East. Her vivid accounts and fearless reporting style set her apart from other journalists, making her a trailblazer for women in media.
One of the most personal and emotional chapters of her life involved her relationship with Alexandros Panagoulis, a Greek poet and revolutionary who attempted to assassinate a Greek dictator. Fallaci and Panagoulis shared a passionate, albeit turbulent, relationship. His untimely death affected her deeply, leading her to write A Man, a novel inspired by their love story and his life as a dissident. This book, like much of her work, reflected Fallaci’s strong convictions about freedom, human dignity, and resistance against tyranny.
In her later years, Fallaci became known for her controversial views on Islam and immigration, sparked in part by the events of September 11, 2001. Her writings in The Rage and the Pride and The Force of Reason drew both praise and criticism, reflecting the polarized world in which she lived. Fallaci stood firm in her beliefs, embodying the same fearless stance that had defined her career from the beginning.
Anastasia Rubis’s Oriana: A Novel of Oriana Fallaci captures these dynamic facets of Fallaci’s life—her courage, resilience, and the complexities of her relationships. With Anthoula Katsimatides lending her voice to the audiobook, Fallaci’s powerful story resonates in a new dimension, making her legacy accessible to a broader audience. Katsimatides’s narration adds depth to Fallaci’s journey, allowing listeners to feel the journalist’s intensity, strength, and vulnerability, creating a deeply immersive experience of Fallaci’s remarkable life.
