Ashes

This is one of my all-time favorite novels. Some may argue that After the Divorce is Deledda's best work, but I find that it does not compare to the intensity and depth of Ashes. It's a shame that this book was not translated, published, and made available to us until 2004--especially because it is still not likely to be found in your local bookstore.

As a student of Italian language and culture, I find it remarkable that Deledda wrote so substantially and so well considering the social limitations of the time and place (turn of the century Sardegna). Deledda's education was limited to three years of primary school (as Kozma mentions in her helpful introduction), yet she boldly makes references to great works of Italian literature, show more including Manzoni's famous "Addio monti" passage from I Promessi Sposi (See Part I, Chapter 7 in Deledda) and The Divine Comedy by Dante (Purg. 8.1-9; See beginning of Part II, Chapter 1 in Deledda).

The novel itself is rich in Sardegnian culture; Deledda's story follows the life of Ananias, a boy who is both hopeful and tortured by the uncertain fate of a mother he can't remember. As Ananias grows to become a man, he allows his promising future to be jeopardized by his speculative past. Symbol, madness, and insight are weaved into the scenery of this beautiful, psychological, and tragic journey.

I found a faithful translation in Kozma, not to mention a helpful introduction and notes. show less

853.912 DEL