The actor, radio and television host, film director, author, and producer—following the great success of Benito, presente! (Baldini+Castoldi, 2025)—returned to bookstores on January 13 with his second novel.
Paolo Conforti is an ambitious and dishonest politician, skilled at appealing to the gut instincts of the country and at constructing convenient truths. He is just one step away from becoming Prime Minister, the goal for which he has sacrificed everything. But Paolo also has a brother: since they were orphaned at the age of thirteen, he has taken care of Simone, his twin brother with Down syndrome, the person to whom he is more deeply connected than to anyone else.
Simone lives a simple and happy life: his job as a school janitor, the bus he takes every morning, snack cakes, Maria De Filippi’s TV shows, and his unwavering love for Paolo. His strength lies in seeing beauty everywhere and always getting straight to the heart of things. When Paolo’s career collapses due to a corruption scandal and a dangerous blackmail attempt, the politician comes up with a desperate and brilliant solution: running Simone in his place, convinced he can control him. But Simone cannot be manipulated, and his campaign—made up of hugs, sincerity, and kindness—takes the country by surprise, and above all, Paolo himself.
What if the next Prime Minister were a person with Down syndrome?
Paolo Ruffini tackles this question with irony and tenderness, delivering a novel that makes readers smile and feel moved, while reminding us of a simple truth: no one is normal, no one is different—we are all unique and perfect.
Paolo Ruffini (Livorno, 1978) è attore, conduttore televisivo, regista cinematografico, autore e produttore. Debutta al cinema con Ovosodo (1997) e partecipa a numerosi successi, tra cui Natale a Miami (2005), Fuga di cervelli (2013) – film con cui esordisce anche alla regia – L’agenzia dei bugiardi (2019) e Modalità Aereo (2019), del quale è co- sceneggiatore. In televisione conduce varie edizioni di Colorado (Italia 1, 2011–2019) e nel 2025 torna su Italia 1 con Zelig On. Molto attivo nel sociale, porta avanti il progetto Up&Down (2018), che spazia tra cinema, tv e teatro e coinvolge attori con disabilità. Nel 2022 firma la regia del docufilm PerdutaMente - Non si guarisce dall’Alzheimer, non si guarisce dall’Amore. Dal 2024 conduce Radio Up&Down su Radio 24 insieme a Federico Parlanti, primo speaker Down al mondo. Ha lanciato i podcast Il Babysitter, Il Badante e Mamme: dal primo è nato anche l’omonimo spettacolo teatrale. Nel 2025 pubblica il romanzo Benito, presente! (Baldini+Castoldi).