Courting Celebrity: The Autobiographies of Angela Veronese and Teresa Bandettini

Angela Veronese's autobiography, Courting Celebrity, is the first modern autobiography by an Italian woman. It details her experience as a peasant girl who rose to fame among the Venetian elite through improvisation, writing, and publishing her own lyrics. The bilingual annotated edition includes Veroneses poems and Teresa Bandettini's autobiographical writing, offering a glimpse into high society and popular culture of the time.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 312 pages
Publication date: 17 March 2023
Publisher: University of Toronto Press

Angela Veronese, the daughter of a gardener, penned and published the first modern autobiography by an Italian woman in 1826. Her account delves into her unique experience as a peasant girl who grew up among the Venetian elite, showcasing how she achieved fame both in Italy and abroad through her creative endeavors. Courting Celebrity is a bilingual annotated edition of Veronese's autobiography, featuring additional autobiographical writings by another contemporary Italian poet, Teresa Bandettini. The book provides a comprehensive glimpse into Veronese's thoughts and offers a substantial collection of her poems, both translated and in their original form. Alongside the poems, detailed bibliographical documentation highlights the success of Veronese's autobiographical enterprise and provides an unparalleled perspective on high society and popular culture during her time. Courting Celebrity explores women's practices in two significant literary genres, poetry and autobiography, shedding light on their strategies of self-fashioning and pursuit of celebrity.

Introduction:
Angela Veronese's autobiography, Courting Celebrity, stands as a remarkable testament to the power of storytelling and the indomitable spirit of a woman determined to leave her mark on the world. Born into a humble background, Veronese defied societal expectations and pursued her passion for writing and poetry. Through her vivid prose and captivating poetry, she vividly depicted the lives of the privileged and the struggles of the common people, challenging the rigid hierarchies of her time.

Unique Perspective:
What sets Veronese's autobiography apart is her unique perspective as a peasant girl who rose to prominence among the Venetian elite. Her experiences as a woman of humble origins but with a sharp intellect and a gift for language allowed her to bridge the gap between different social classes. She possessed a rare ability to see beyond the superficiality of high society and capture the essence of human emotions and experiences.

Improvising, Writing, and Publishing:
Veronese's autobiography is a testament to her unwavering dedication to her craft. She wrote and published her own lyrics, improvising and experimenting with different forms and styles. Her courage in venturing into the world of literature and her willingness to challenge traditional conventions were instrumental in her success.

Teresa Bandettini's Contribution:
To better understand Veronese's thinking, Courting Celebrity includes the autobiographical writing of another contemporary Italian poet, Teresa Bandettini. Bandettini, known for her Tuscan poet-improviser style, provides a contrasting perspective and adds depth to Veronese's narrative. Their writings together offer a comprehensive view of the social and cultural landscape of 19th-century Italy.

Poetic Legacy:
Veronese's poetry is a testament to her talent and her ability to capture the essence of life. Her poems are filled with vivid imagery, emotional depth, and a sense of social commentary. They range from romantic love poems to social critiques, reflecting the diverse range of experiences and emotions that shaped her life.

Bibliographical Documentation:
Courting Celebrity is accompanied by extensive bibliographical documentation that provides valuable insights into Veronese's life and work. The book includes a comprehensive bibliography of her published works, as well as a detailed account of her personal and professional relationships.

Conclusion:
Angela Veronese's autobiography, Courting Celebrity, is a captivating tale of a woman who defied societal norms and pursued her passion with unwavering determination. Through her writing, she shed light on the lives of the privileged and the struggles of the common people, challenging the rigid hierarchies of her time. Veronese's legacy as a poet and autobiographer continues to inspire and resonate with readers today, reminding us of the power of storytelling and the indomitable spirit of women who refuse to be silenced.

Weight: 472g
Dimension: 152 x 229 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781487546403