These essays, written between 1944 and 1960 by the prominent Italian intellectual Natalia Ginzburg (1916–1991), offer insights into history, literature, philosophy and psychology from a perspective both intimate and veiled, universal and fiercely individual – and unfailingly thought-provoking. This edition features an outstanding introduction by Rachel Cusk, reproduced here in a TLS article of 18 April 2018.
Recommended by Valeria Vescina
THE LITTLE VIRTUES
Written by Natalia Ginzburg
Translated by Dick Davis
Published by Daunt Books (2018)
Valeria Vescina (https://valeriavescina.com/) is a writer, a teacher and critic. Her novel, That Summer in Puglia (Eyewear Publishing) had its debut at the FTWeekend Oxford Literary Festival 2018. She is now researching her second novel, which will also be set in Puglia, but in the sixteenth century. Her activity as a critic includes literary and opera reviews for the European Literature Network (and its magazine The Riveter), Seen and Heard International and Talking Humanities. She teaches creative writing workshops and holds an MA in Creative & Life Writing from Goldsmiths.