Laura Benedetti Knihy

Focusing on the intersection of literature and motherhood, this book examines how Italian literary works from the twentieth century responded to and influenced societal views on motherhood. It delves into the evolving perceptions and representations of maternal figures, highlighting the cultural and historical contexts that shaped these narratives. Through critical analysis, it reveals the profound impact of literature on the understanding and experience of motherhood in Italy during this transformative period.

Exploring themes of cultural identity and family ties, the narrative follows Sara's journey to L'Aquila, Italy, to honor her grandmother's final wish. Set against the backdrop of the town's recovery from the 2009 earthquake, Sara confronts her family's history and the impact of displacement and loss. Spanning over sixty years and three generations of women, the story weaves together personal and collective struggles, highlighting the resilience required to navigate both personal and communal trauma.

The application of feminist thought to the study of Italian culture is generating some of the most innovative work in the field today. This volume presents a range of essays which focus on the construction of gender in Italian literature as well as essays in feminist theory. The contributions reflect the current diversity of critical approaches available to those interrogating gender and offer interpretations of prose, poetry, theater, and the visual arts from Boccaccio, Michelangelo, and Galileo to contemporary Italian writers such as Carla Cerati and Dacia Maraini.