I find that the hypothetical function of the intellectual is not so much to 'create' judgments, as to bring into question anything or anyone that is not in crisis but is extremely convinced of the correctness of their position. Should an intellectual intervene whenever they deem it necessary in the wrongdoings of their country, or should they remain silent - as Umberto Eco argues - when they have nothing significant to say, when they do not fully understand the subject of their concern?

Starting from this question, Antonio Tabucchi, momentarily leaving his beloved literature, turns to battle-ready essay writing, emphasizing that yes, why not? Anyone could blame Plato for not finding a cure for gastritis.

At the same time, the author involves a historical incident from 1972 in the discussion, when the Milan police officer who was accused of the expulsion of a detainee regarding a deadly anarchist bomb was also found murdered by unknown assailants. As the alleged instigator of the murder of police officer Calabresi, an intellectual, Adriano Sofri, former leader of Lotta Continua, a far-left organization, and his two companions were sentenced to 22 years in prison (after a series of seven contradictory trials).

It is to Sofri that Tabucchi addresses the two open letters that make up this combative, curious, and extremely interesting Gastritis. Once again, the role of the intellectual, their discourse, the right and duty for intervention are called into question.

The volume includes the introduction by Bernard Comment from the first edition, which was published in Paris in 1997, a Chronology of the Sofri case, and a biography of the author.