**"Voices"** by Dacia Maraini is a psychological thriller and feminist novel that centers around themes of violence, trauma, and the complexities of human relationships. The story is narrated by Michela Canova, a radio journalist, who becomes embroiled in the investigation of a brutal murder.

### Key Themes and Plot Points:

1. **Michela's Investigation**: The novel begins with the murder of Michela's neighbor, Angela Bari, a quiet and unassuming woman. Angela is found brutally killed, and Michela, who works as a radio journalist, takes it upon herself to investigate the crime. As she interviews neighbors, friends, and family, Michela uncovers hidden truths about Angela's life, revealing her secret past and troubled relationships.

2. **Violence Against Women**: One of the central themes in the novel is the violence that women endure, often behind closed doors. Through Angela's story, Maraini highlights the pervasive issue of domestic violence and the societal indifference toward it. Michela's investigation exposes the neglect and silence that often surround such crimes.

3. **The Role of Media**: The novel also critiques the role of media in sensationalizing crime. Michela's profession as a journalist allows Maraini to explore how stories of violence, particularly against women, are consumed and distorted by the media for entertainment and profit, while the deeper societal issues remain unaddressed.

4. **Michela's Personal Journey**: As Michela delves deeper into Angela’s life, she is forced to confront her own experiences with relationships, trauma, and isolation. Her investigation becomes a way for her to process her own emotions and thoughts about the way women are treated in society. Michela's reflections on her own relationships serve as a parallel to Angela's story, adding emotional depth to the narrative.

5. **Feminist Themes**: *Voices* is a powerful exploration of women's voices in a patriarchal society—how they are often silenced, ignored, or overshadowed by violence. Maraini uses the murder mystery framework to interrogate the broader societal norms that marginalize and devalue women, both in personal relationships and in the public sphere.

In summary, *Voices* is a deeply psychological and feminist novel that uses the investigation of a murder to explore issues of violence, gender inequality, and the silence surrounding women's suffering. Through Michela's narrative, Dacia Maraini sheds light on the hidden lives of women and the complexities of their experiences in a male-dominated world.