The Outcast
A Novel
Luigi Pirandello author Bradford A Masoni translator
Format:Hardback
Publisher:Rutgers University Press
Published:11th Aug '23
Should be back in stock very soon
This hardback is available in another edition too:
- Paperback£14.99(9781978836495)
This novel by Nobel Prize-winning author Luigi Pirandello tells the story of Marta, a young wife falsely accused of infidelity, leading to her tragic downfall and struggle for redemption in a hostile society.
The Outcast is an early work by Nobel Prize-winning Italian author Luigi Pirandello that merges Zolaesque naturalism with the beginnings of modernist aesthetics. This newly released English translation marks the first in nearly a century, highlighting Pirandello’s skillful manipulation of language and his keen use of irony.
Set in a 19th-century Sicilian village, the story centers on Marta, a young wife who is deeply in love with her husband, Rocco, and is expecting their child. However, the narrative takes a tragic turn when Rocco finds a letter from a would-be suitor addressed to Marta. In a fit of jealousy, he wrongly accuses her of infidelity and forces her out of their home. The community quickly aligns against her, branding her as an adulteress, which leads to devastating consequences, including the loss of her family home and business, as well as the deaths of her father and newborn child.
As Marta descends into poverty and is ostracized by society, she becomes determined to reclaim her place in a world that has turned against her. The novel explores themes of social exclusion, personal resilience, and the harsh realities of life, showcasing Pirandello’s profound insights into human nature. Through this poignant tale, readers are invited to reflect on the complexities of love, betrayal, and the quest for redemption.
“This new translation of Pirandello’s little-known early work sheds light on the repressive culture of traditional Sicilian village life, prefiguring themes that he would take up in his later fiction and drama. Masoni has done an excellent job in bringing to English-speaking readers this portrayal of a vanished world.”— Susan Bassnett, author of Translation Studies and Luigi Pirandello in the Theatre: A Documentary Record
"Accused of an affair she never committed, Marta Ajala battles against misogyny and malice to create an independent life for herself, her mother, and sister. Masoni's new translation of Pirandello's great work brilliantly captures the novel's unique blend of realism and modernism through to its paradoxical conclusion."— Ann Hallamore Caesar, coauthor of Modern Italian Literature
“A story of forbidden love and humorous misunderstanding, The Outcast is innovative, playful, and intellectually challenging writing by one of Italy’s greatest modern authors. These traits shine in Masoni’s new and much-needed translation. He has captured the ambiguous uncertainties and charming difficulties of Pirandello’s first novel, making it available once again to an English-language audience both to study and enjoy.”— Michael Subialka, coeditor of PSA: The Journal of the Pirandello Society of America
"Masoni's rendition of The Outcast is a much-needed contribution to the dissemination of Pirandello's œuvre in English. Beautifully translated, Masoni's work masterfully captures the linguistic complexity and cultural richness of Pirandello's writing style." — Lisa Sarti, coeditor of Pirandello's Visual Philosophy: Imagination and Thought across Media
“Bradford Masoni’s masterful translation fills a significant gap in the reception of modern Italian literature in English. A crucial transitional work between realism and modernism, this story of a woman’s attempt to take control of her own social image remains powerfully relevant well over a century after its initial publication.”— Luca Somigli, coeditor of Futurism: A Microhistory
ISBN: 9781978836501
Dimensions: 203mm x 127mm x 25mm
Weight: 64g
314 pages