The City and the Home: New Edition Curated by Domenico Scarpa (Einaudi Paperbacks. Writers) (Italian Edition)

Appeared in 1984, The City and the House is an epistolary novel that recounts the disintegration of the family, the crisis of traditional roles, and the dramatic emptiness that accompanies the lives of our times. The lack of virility, the absence of the paternal figure, and the insecurity of the children compose the fragments of a harmony now dispersed in a dense succession of often dramatic events between Rome, Umbria, and America.

Letter after letter, fathers, sons, friends, and lovers are confronted with themselves and their need for truth. The author reconstructs the shards of these lives and narrates, in her characteristic style - concise and lyrical - the loss of that sense of belonging whose most evident symbol is the house: because "one can sell or transfer houses to others as much as they want, but they still keep them forever within themselves."

The novel explores the disintegration of the family unit, the crisis of traditional roles, and the emotional emptiness that permeates modern life. Through the epistolary format, the author delves into the intimate relationships between fathers and sons, friends, and lovers, as they grapple with their need for authenticity and belonging.

The lack of virility, the absence of a strong paternal figure, and the insecurity of the children are central themes that contribute to the fragmentation of the once-harmonious family structure. The narrative moves fluidly between the settings of Rome, Umbria, and America, reflecting the uprooted nature of the characters' lives.

The author's characteristic style, which combines conciseness and lyricism, is instrumental in conveying the sense of loss and the longing for a sense of place and identity. The house, as a symbol of belonging, becomes the central metaphor, as the characters struggle to reconcile their physical and emotional displacement.

Through the epistolary format, the reader is granted intimate access to the inner lives of the characters, as they confront themselves and their relationships. The novel explores the universal human need for connection, understanding, and a sense of purpose, which are often elusive in the modern, fragmented world.

Ultimately, The City and the House is a poignant exploration of the human condition, seamlessly blending the personal and the universal, and resonating with readers long after the final page.

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