Giorgio Bassani

Giorgio Bassani was an Italian novelist, poet, essayist, editor, and international intellectual. He is best known for his novel 'The Garden of the Finzi-Continis', which explores the lives of Italian Jews during the Fascist period and the Holocaust. Bassani's work is characterized by its historical detail, lyrical prose, and deep humanism. He was also an editor at the prestigious Italian publishing house Feltrinelli, where he played a significant role in promoting Italian literature.

Books

This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.

  1. 1. The Garden of the Finzi-Continis

    Set in Ferrara, Italy during the late 1930s, the book tells the story of the Finzi-Continis, a wealthy, aristocratic Jewish family who live in a secluded mansion with a beautiful, walled garden. The narrator, a young middle-class Jew, becomes infatuated with the family's daughter, Micoleta. As the Fascist regime's anti-Jewish laws become increasingly oppressive, the idyllic garden becomes a sanctuary for the local Jewish community, including the narrator. Despite the looming threat of the Holocaust, the family remains oblivious to their impending fate, leading to a tragic end.

  2. 2. The Heron

    Set in the mid-20th century Italian countryside, the novel follows the introspective journey of a wealthy, middle-aged landowner who is grappling with the ennui of his comfortable life. On a solitary hunting expedition, he reflects on his personal history, the societal changes post-World War II, and his own sense of alienation in the face of a rapidly modernizing world. As he traverses the foggy landscape, his existential crisis deepens, leading him to question the value of his existence and the choices he has made, culminating in a profound contemplation of life and death.