Stories of Southern Italy

The stories of Southern Italy, including Sicily, Calabria, Cantania, Basilicata, Apulia, and Campania, are told by Theocritus, Virgil, Ovid, Vincenzo Consolo, Leonardo Sciascia, Carlo Levi, Joseph Conrad, Curzio Malaparte, Norman Lewis, and Elena Ferrante. They depict the region's unique history, mythology, and legacy of brigandage and organized crime, as well as the wreckage of Naples during World War II and the vibrant spirit of its people.

Format: Hardback
Length: 432 pages
Publication date: 06 October 2022
Publisher: Everyman

Southern Italy's rich tapestry of stories is intricately woven with the unique histories and mythologies of its diverse regions, including Sicily, Calabria, Cantania, Basilicata, Apulia, and Campania. The ancient poets Theocritus, Virgil, and Ovid conjure vivid images of a Sicily populated by Cyclopes and sea monsters, while Vincenzo Consolo's portrayal in "The Smile of the Unknown Mariner" captures the island in 1860, at the forefront of Italy's war of independence. The legacy of brigandage and organized crime in the South adds a thrilling dimension to the narratives of renowned authors such as Leonardo Sciascia, Carlo Levi, and Joseph Conrad. Curzio Malaparte and Norman Lewis vividly depict the devastation of Naples during World War II, while Elena Ferrante paints a captivating portrait of a poor but vibrant Neapolitan neighborhood in an excerpt from her bestselling novel "My Brilliant Friend." Together, these captivating tales transport readers into the sometimes harsh, but always alluring and vital world of Italy's "Mezzogiorno."

Weight: 458g
Dimension: 126 x 191 x 34 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781841596334