What do you think?
Rate this book
"La signorina" e altri racconti: An MLA Text Edition
Greatly influenced by writers ranging from Dickens and Proust to Woolf and Colette, Anna Banti was a prominent figure on the Italian literary scene from the 1940s until her death in 1985. The five tales in "La signorina" e altri racconti display her talent across many genres―fiction, science fiction, historical fiction, mystery.
Banti's stories portray the ageless conflict between the expectations of society and the aspirations of the individual. In "Vocazioni indistinte," the young Ofelia becomes a pianist after her marriage prospects fail, but self-doubt turns her success into miserable mediocrity. In the futuristic "Le donne muoiono," men acquire a new evolutionary ability; women, lacking that ability, are consigned to the status of an inferior race. "Joveta di Betania," set in the time of the Crusades, follows the daughter of King Baldwin II of Jerusalem as she escapes to a life of seclusion as an abbess―a life that becomes for her a source of proud freedom and deep bitterness. In "I velieri," a young boy creates an imaginary world from an uncertain childhood memory. "La signorina" tells of a young woman who eventually finds herself, as a writer.
Banti's stories portray the ageless conflict between the expectations of society and the aspirations of the individual. In "Vocazioni indistinte," the young Ofelia becomes a pianist after her marriage prospects fail, but self-doubt turns her success into miserable mediocrity. In the futuristic "Le donne muoiono," men acquire a new evolutionary ability; women, lacking that ability, are consigned to the status of an inferior race. "Joveta di Betania," set in the time of the Crusades, follows the daughter of King Baldwin II of Jerusalem as she escapes to a life of seclusion as an abbess―a life that becomes for her a source of proud freedom and deep bitterness. In "I velieri," a young boy creates an imaginary world from an uncertain childhood memory. "La signorina" tells of a young woman who eventually finds herself, as a writer.
204 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2001
About the author
Anna Banti
45 books25 followersAnna Banti is the pseudonym of Lucia Lopresti, an Italian biographer, critic, and author of fiction. Much of her fiction has a central theme of women's struggles for equal opportunity.
Banti graduated from the University of Rome. She directed the literary section of the magazine Paragone and took on direction of the art section after the death of her husband, famous art critic Roberto Longhi.
Her most famous work is Artemisia, based on life of seventeenth-century painter Artemisia Gentileschi, written when she was 52 years old.
Banti died in Ronchi di Massa, Italy, at the age of 90.
Banti graduated from the University of Rome. She directed the literary section of the magazine Paragone and took on direction of the art section after the death of her husband, famous art critic Roberto Longhi.
Her most famous work is Artemisia, based on life of seventeenth-century painter Artemisia Gentileschi, written when she was 52 years old.
Banti died in Ronchi di Massa, Italy, at the age of 90.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
No one has reviewed this book yet.