Letters from Inside the Italian Communist Party to Louis Althusser

by Maria Antonietta Macciocchi, Stephen M. Hellman (Translator), Louis Althusser

English, Italian (translation)

Genres: Italy, Nonfiction

360 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1969

Reviews

[Ben Lear · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting book by a communist really thinking through the time, place, and work she finds herself involved with. She is clearly aware of the challenges her party finds itself in. the engagement with the lives and conditions of workers is interesting and times really moving.

[Ruairí]

Completely fascinating - have to agree with Comrade Matta at the end “when I had finished reading it, I wanted more than ever to be an Italian Communist. It is a beautiful book. I learned many things from it, about Naples, about workers and about the sub-proletariat and the poor.“

The other responses to the letters are dripping with completely unwarranted defensiveness and misogyny and prove that MAM hit the mark. Her criticisms are candid but from a position of obviously unswerving loyalty.

Funnily enough I thought Althusser’s practical advice at the beginning was more illuminating than his theoretical reflections at the end.

Despite her rightful criticisms of “electoral cretinism” the PCI lived up to its reputation as the jewel in the crown of this period. 2.5% of the population were members! Can see why Tronti said “give us the party in Italy and we will overthrow all of Europe!”