Matt McAvoy Book Review

There is only a very slim narrative pulling together this profound and heavy-going work of literary fiction, which is rather more accurately the author’s thesis on the human condition, with suicide as its context, formatted with references and all.  Primarily, the discourse Massimo engages in is around mankind’s rights and freedoms in comparison to greater powers, whether they be societal or divine, local or global.  In Concerning Intellectual Suicide…, a young man in an unspecified near-future struggles with the decision to end his life by assisted dying, which has now become a legal solution for all, the depressed and hopeless generally, and not just the chronically sick or suffering.  So begins an intellectual debate about our right as humans to end our existence at will, and the morality of it, from the narrative viewpoints of the subject, those with a vested interest in the success of the industry, the religious and society as a whole.

To be honest, the title and blurb might suggest that the topic is debated primarily as a psychological case study, but there are issues such as social judgement and empathy for loved ones left behind, as well as psychopathic corporate greed, as the experts at the institute do all they can to persuade our subject to go through with a life-ending decision he is clearly not set on.  Admirably, the author does not shy away from pointing the finger of blame for the youngster’s apparently inexplicable depression; there is no clear reason why Tommaso would want to kill himself, other than boredom with his life.  Massimo discusses the protagonist’s own role in taking responsibility for the decision and indeed the path of his life; indeed, the character is criticized and condemned repeatedly throughout the book.  The book also, at times, takes swipes at the parents of suicidal people and the indifference of society generally.

For the first half, this is a developing story arc, which appears to be heading toward a comprehensive psychological and sociological examination.  I found myself a little disappointed in the second half, however, as this exceptionally clever and intelligent book moved very heavily toward theological argument against suicide, and our arrogance in placing our own importance above that of God.  I am not saying that Massimo is necessarily for or against the theological approach to assisted dying, and he pointedly (and wisely, I think) remains personally ambiguous as the author, but it is fair to say that religious discourse starts to appear very significantly in the book, which was a shame, in my opinion; as an atheist myself, a psychologist and a sociologist, this book was far more interesting and engaging when focusing on that which its title implied – the study of the human condition – rather than an evaluation of divine morality vs. the power and freedom of mankind. 

The book is extremely well written by an obviously very well-educated and highly intellectual author.  You can tell that it has been translated from its original language because, although the translation itself is excellent, some of the phraseology and diction feel just a tiny touch stilted.  That said, it is eloquently written, exquisitely at times.

This book promises what it offers, and if you can either envelop or distance yourself from its heavy religious element, it is a worthwhile fictionalized study of a very important yet woefully under-addressed social affliction.