Primo Levi's "Il sistema periodico"

Il sistema periodico is by far one of the most fascinating and enthralling books that I have ever read - written by Primo Levi. Il sistema periodico is a collection of 21 short stories with each bearing the title of an element of the periodic table. Each of the stories were published in various newspapers in Italy from 1948 to 1975

Some of the stories seem banal and...dare I say it...a tad boring on the surface. But as you read (and re-read some of them as I had to) you can see the literary genius of Levi at work. For example, in his story, Fosforo ("Phosphorus"), Levi talks of getting a job at a chemical manufacturer who is interesting in finding ways to manage the disease. The narrator of the story (who is presumably Levi) uses research done by Third Reich scientists to advance his work while at the same time re-uniting with a classmate (a woman) for whom he holds some feelings. Levi describes in great detail the work and how they use rabbits for the testing. The narrator also expounds on how rabbits think only of food and sex (Levi also talks about food, too, when first coming to work at the factory). It is his description of the rabbits do we see a comparison of people (or perhaps to Levi, himself) to these very rabbits.

There is a refreshing sense of honesty in Levi's writing as he applies his criticism evenly -- even when they are aimed at himself. In the same story, Fosforo, one could arguably say that the rabbits that Levi criticises (and fears) are a reflection of his own desires - lusting (even loving?) this woman and former classmate, Giulia, but never able to move past the fantasy. Sadly (perhaps ironically), one of the rabbits develops a tumor and eventually dies from the experimentation. Shortly thereafter, Giulia marries another, and the narrator's chances with Giulia vanish. Does the death of this experimental rabbit not signify the narrator's loss in love? Interestingly enough, Levi wrote in his autobiography (Se questo è un uomo) about his time in Auschwitz: "...that man is bound to pursue his own ends by all possible means, while he who errs but once pays dearly" (p. 13; 1993, Collier Books edition). How fitting this is, as the narrator in this story has erred in missing his chance with Giulia, however remote the possibility might have been.

But in many of these stories, there's always a nugget of hope. In Fosforo, Giulia and the narrator remain friends, sharing their lives now in the only way possible - through their common work in chemistry. Commentators have noted that many of these stories seem cold and detached, but is this not a hallmark of Levi's style? His emotional detachment is a barrier to the reader, never allowing the reader to become a participant in Levi's experience, avoiding an empathic connection or emotional connection. Levi wants the reader's reaction to be their own and not one that is imposed on or forced upon the reader, giving the reader a freedom to choose how they wish to respond rather than dictating the terms.

This book, for me, provided a challenge because I think that it takes a very capable writer to meld science and literature in a way that is not only interesting in the commercial sense but also approachable and relatable to the reader. While you might dismiss this book because of its scientific themes, I promise that it has the ability to hold your interest. Levi uses the science not to teach or educate but to communicate with his audience on many levels.

An English translation is also available.

Sources consulted:

• Bianchini, Edoardo. Invito alla lettura di Primo Levi. Invito alla lettura, 111. Milano: Mursia, 2000.
• Toscani, Claudio. Come leggere Se questo è un uomo de Primo Levi. Come leggere, 22. Milano: Mursia, 1990. (The first few chapters on his life and writings are useful)