Alberto Moravia (1907-1990)

pseudonym of Alberto Pincherle

Italian journalist, short-story writer, and novelist who explored in his books sex, social alienation and other contemporary issues- a major figure in 20th-century Italian literature. Moravia was married to Elsa Morante (1941-1963) who was also a writer, best known for her novel LA STORIA (1974).

Moravia was born in Rome. In early age he suffered from an illness which he considered a most important factor inhis early development. He worked as a journalist in Turin and as a foreign correspondent in London. Moravia published his first novel, GLI INDIFFERENTI (1929, Time of Indifference) at the age of 21. The book, an analytical condemnation of the cynicism of the Roman bourgeoisie under fascism, become sensation. In the 1930s Moravia travelled in the U.S., Poland China, and other countries. His works were censored by Benito Mussolini's fascist, and placed by the Vatican on the Index librorum prohibitarum (Index of Forbidden Books). In 1937 appeared, L'IMBROGLIO, collection of short stories, which included L'Architetto, La Tempesta, and La Provinciale.

Among Moravias major works are AGOSTINO (1944), LA ROMANA (1947), LA CIOCIARA (1957), LA NOIA (1960). He wrote also for several magazines, contributing Corriere della Sera regulary from 1946. From his wide travels in diffrent places of the world Moravia published several articles and travel books, including UN MESE IN URSS (1958), LA RIVOLUZIONE CULTURALE IN CINA (1968), and VIAGGI. ARTICOLI 1930-1990 (1994).

Moravia's autobiography ALBERTO MORAVIA'S LIFE, was published in 1990. He died in Rome on September 26, 1990

For further reading: Three Italian Novelist by D. Heiney (1968); Selected Essays by E. Montale (1978): Vita di Moravia (Alberto Moravia's Life) by Alberto Moravia and Alain Elkann (1990)

Selected works:

Other films based on Moravia's works: Le mépris (1964), dir. Jean-Luc Godard; Peccato che sia una canaglia (1954), dir. by Alessandro Blasetti

Kuusankosken kaupunginkirjasto c 1997