One of the more intriguing elements to Antonella Vassallo’s ‘Century’ is her use of legal language in an Italian courtroom, specifically discussing race and nationality when addressing her husband’s Italian wife. Specifically, the wife was upset because her husband refused to acknowledge his own race and had made a point of not mentioning his nationality or heritage in their marriage vows. Vassallo’s argument was that even if the couple wed, their marriage would still be tainted by their actions: as their marriage was based on lies, so their relationship would also be based on lies. She further argued that they were not legally or ethically obliged to acknowledge their respective nationalities, as legally they had no obligations to other nations, nor were they obliged to maintain the marital bond for the length of their marriage, as their union was only a sham from the start.
It seems that Antonella Vassallo is not one who believes in sticking to the letter of the law, nor does she appear to be averse to innovation or practicality. Indeed, much of what she says in ‘Century’ is based on legal precedent, the result of precedents she has either read in books or heard about during her many years of judicial experience. Moreover, she clearly presents a point of view that runs counter to the more traditional, puritanical Victorian approaches to social issues, such as race and nationality. This perhaps explains why ‘Century’ is such an engaging read; it challenges our ideas about gender and ethnicity, sexuality, and family. The book is also refreshingly written, with Vassallo not having the usual academic language and vocabulary of a legal scholar.
In addition to being engaging and intellectually stimulating, ‘Century’ also provides an unusually moving take on a situation that many people face today. Vassallo gives a rare inside look into the workings of a legal system where the emotions of the participants are commonly ignored or dismissed. The characters in this book, like Antonelli’s husband, are not perfect characters, but Vassallo shows a rare strength of character that allows her to laugh at the excesses of malevolence while maintaining a respectful distance toward their transgressions. In doing so, she challenges readers to do the same.