Melville House Books

An Associated Press wire story offers more information on the suit against Oriana Fallaci. According to A.P. reporter Marta Falconi, a judge in the northern Italy city of Bergamo has ordered her to stand trial “on charges of defaming Islam in her recent book The Strength of Reason.” The report says Fallaci is “accused of violating an Italian law that prohibits ‘oputrage to religion,’” and “The case arose after Muslim activist Adel Smith charged that ‘some of the things she said are offensive to Islam.’” The report also notes that “The case is proceeding even though a prosecutor who handled it previously sought dismissal of the charges on the grounds that Fallaci had a right to state her own political beliefs.” But the judge, who is not named in the report, says, “Fallaci is addressing her hostile expressions against every manifestation of the Islamic religion and world and not only against certain extremist sectors.” Says Fallaci, “I have expressed my opinion through the written word through my books, that is all.”

Dennis Johnson is the founder of MobyLives, and the co-founder and co-publisher of Melville House.