Creative Scars and New Adventures
Pier Vittorio Mannucci is no stranger to fiction, but this time he seems to have struck the right balance between his research and writing, even more so than before. Mannucci is currently Associate Professor in Bocconi University’s Department of Management and Technology, and has just released The Mysterious Five, his new book also published by Mondadori. While his 2022 debut novel — The Pirates of Time — hinted at possible sequels, this new novel is supposed to be a standalone.
A Story of Blurred Lines
“Compared to my first novel, this one is more closely linked to the themes of my research because it covers the ‘healing’ power of creativity,” says Mannucci.
The plot centers on Anna, whose grandfather had written a successful TV series several years earlier. The series, which featured five mysterious characters, was suddenly cancelled with reasons unknown to anyone. “Anna is catapulted by the Mysterious Five into a story in which the boundaries between reality and fiction become increasingly blurred,” continues the author. “She is given the delicate task of writing their last adventure, forcing her to put herself out there and discover truths about herself and her family that she could never have imagined.”
Creativity as a Means of Research and Messaging
Creativity is the central theme of Mannucci’s scientific research at the University, and it is something that each of us possesses — sometimes even unconsciously. “Creativity is an innate human talent, which is incredibly significant for our progress and psychological wellbeing,” he explains.
It is also a message to convey to young people (approximately between 10 and 14 years old) to whom the book is addressed. “As we know from various studies, this is precisely the age in which many people convince themselves of not being creative. There is a study that actually talks about ‘creative scars’, or the moment in which someone or something made us believe that we are not creative,” underlines Mannucci. “This situation generally can be seen during childhood or in early adolescence, and is partly determined by the misconception that creativity is associated with art or some form of expression. However, this is not the case. Creativity is something we put into practice every day and must continue to do so.”
An Ending That Leaves Room for Interpretation
The first book ended with some loose ends, but The Mysterious Five is good enough on its own. “I have always hoped to be able to write the sequel,” says Mannucci. Or maybe not. “In general, good books do not provide all the answers; some are left to the readers to decide, and that is how it should be,” he observes. “However, in this case, the story has its conclusion — even if there is always room for new adventures.” One just has to be creative.