The Unpopular Realism of Vincenzo Padula: Il Bruzio and Mariuzza Sbriffiti

The Unpopular Realism of Vincenzo Padula is a microhistory of life in a Southern Italian province in the decade following Unification, focusing on the struggles of the poor masses and the failures of the Savoy regime. It provides a unique perspective on macroscopic and microscopic issues, empathy for the marginalized "persons of Calabria," and an identification with the marginalized.

Format: Hardback
Length: 206 pages
Publication date: 18 October 2021
Publisher: Fairleigh Dickinson University Press

The Unpopular Realism of Vincenzo Padula delves into a captivating microhistory of life in a Southern Italian province during the decade following Unification, shedding light on the experiences of Vincenzo Padula himself. During this period, pro-Bourbon loyalists sought to exploit the discontent of the poor masses by fomenting brigandage and attempting to reverse the Unification efforts. In response, Il Bruzio, a pro-Government periodical published in Cosenza, emerged as a platform for pro-government reformist ideas.

Vincenzo Padula, a prominent figure in this era, approached his writing with a unique perspective. He not only highlighted the successes of the Savoy regime but also critically examined its shortcomings and failures. Through the correspondence of a literary creation, Mariuzza Sbrìffiti, Padula delved into the intricacies of daily life, providing a profound insight into the challenges faced by the people of the South.

One of the central themes of Padula's work is the difficult integration of the South into the newly unified Italy. He observed that the unwillingness of the "piemontesi" to learn about the social, political, and economic realities of the South often exacerbated the integration process. Padula's portrayal of the South as a region with misplaced hopes in Garibaldi, clerical obscurantism, popular beliefs and culture, contradictions in the structure of the new liberal regime, and the status and role of women in such a society is both nuanced and thought-provoking.

Padula's empathy for and identification with the marginalized "persons of Calabria" define his unique perspective. He sought to portray the lives of his subjects with honesty and authenticity, capturing the struggles, triumphs, and complexities of their experiences. His writing offers a valuable window into the social, political, and cultural landscape of a bygone era, providing a deeper understanding of the complexities of Italian history and society.

In conclusion, The Unpopular Realism of Vincenzo Padula is a remarkable work that offers a profound exploration of life in a Southern Italian province during a pivotal period in Italian history. Through his writing, Padula provides a unique perspective on the challenges faced by the people of the South, highlighting the successes and failures of the Savoy regime and delving into the intricacies of daily life. His empathy for and identification with the marginalized "persons of Calabria" define his writing, making it a valuable contribution to the study of Italian history and society.

Weight: 576g
Dimension: 228 x 163 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781683933328