Customer Reviews (2)

more clever stories about common people
I've already reviewed his first collection "Roman Tales" and this one is just as great if not greater!I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to read entertaining, funny, honest literature.

THIS BOOK SHOWS US THE REAL ITALY, AND ITS PEOPLE.
The Roman Tales are among some of Alberto Moravia's best stories.The prostitutes, commoners, thiefs, and hoodlums in these stories show us a new side of Italy.Not the beautiful, scenic place that we read about intravel articles, but a real Italy, one as real as the streets as New Yorkwithout all the glamor of Park Avenue, Fifth Avenue, and the Statue ofLiberty.Of course, the glamor is there, Moravia does not try to hide it,just as we couldn't hide or ignore Park Avenue, but he focuses on the wayItaly really is, not to a tourist, but to a person that truly lives there. Those who love Moravia - who is considered one of the greatest writers ofthis century - should read this collection of stories.Try his novels too:The Woman of Rome, Conjugal Love, A Ghost at Noon, et al. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Roman subtil
Un roman de grande qualité litteraire et surtout très subtil dans une description faussement simple des rapports homme - femme.
Un homme Silvio,aime sa femme, Léda. Il la dépeint comme belle et sensuelle mais ne manque pas de noter des états spasmodiques dans son comportements et pour lesquels il ne peut vraiment expliquer l'origine. Ils se retirent dans une maison de campagne et il veut écrire un livre. Seule l'abstinence de leurs relations lui permettra de mener à bien son travail. Abstinence qui sera un pretexte pour la femme de s'éloigner de son mari et de le tromper avec un barbier coureur de jupons et veule.
Ce roman décrit surtout les sentiments de Silvio et c'est à travers lui que nous "entendrons" sa femme.. mais son amour égoiste, aveugle,
l'empêchera de voir que son couple ne fonctionne plus. C'est toute la finesse de leur discussions exprimées de son point de vue à lui, des sentiments unilatéraux de Silvio qui créent un contraste, une superficialitédans leur façon de s'aimeret quiétablissent ainsila subtilité du roman.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

bibliographic data provided by Earthtomes:
Moravia, Alberto, 1907-
Main Title: Man as an end : a defense of humanism : literary, social, and political essays / Alberto Moravia ; translated from the Italian by Bernard Wall.
Uniform Title: Uomo come fine. English
Published/Created: 1966, c1965.
Description: 254 p. ; 23 cm.
ISBN: 0837180198
Notes: Translation of Lâcuomo come fine.
Reprint of the 1966 1st American ed. published by Farrar, Straus & Giroux, New York.
Subjects: Humanism. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

The right book at the right age
They say that each book has to be read at the right age,otherwise they lose their charm. If I had read La Ciociara when I was a student, I would have definitely enjoyed it much more.

This is the story of a mother and her daughter, forced to leave their home in Rome and live for one year near the front in Gargliano (Italy) between 1943 and 1944.
Alberto Moravia himself was forced to do the same thing during Wold War II and hid in the mountains during the German occupation. Knowing that most of the narration is based on real personal experiences, gives the book more charm and color.

The book is not about the war in its traditional meaning, but about human experience and what the profanatory war can bring about. The narration deals with two acts of violence: war and rape. (Initially the author wanted to name his book "Lo Stupro" - The Rape)
After a war and after a rape, neither a country nor a woman are what they used to be before. Profound changes take place, both country and woman pass from the state of innocence and integrity to bitter knowledge. In fact, all wars penetrating the territory of a country and hitting civil population can be considered rapes.

But despite the interesting and well drawn characters, the book is boring at times. This is literature written the two World Wars, so don't have too high expectations.

It was an interesting experience and I admire Alberto Moravia talent for writing. But I believe, I would have been more delighted about the book if I had read it at the age of 18 or 20.
If you are Italians or big fans of the Italian literature, then I believe it would be a good idea for you to read this book. Otherwise, you don't miss anything. ... Read more