Federico De Roberto
Encyclopedia
Federico De Roberto was an Italian
writer, who became well known for his novel
I Vicerè (1894). He began his writing career as a journalist for national newspapers, where he met Giovanni Verga
and Luigi Capuana
, the most prominent writers of the Verismo
style. Verga introduced him into the literary circles of Milan
. De Roberto authored two books of short stories: La Sorte (1887), Documenti umani (1888). His first novel, Ermanno Raeli, (1889) is largely autobiographical; deeper in psychological analysis is the second, L'illusione (1891). In 1894 his novel I Vicerè was published. It was the result of years of hard work, but obtained little success upon its release. Disillusionment and nervous disorders induced De Roberto to resume journalistic work: he became a writer for the Corriere della Sera
and the Giornale d'Italia. Only later, after some experience as an playwright, he returned to the novel, with L'Impero, sequel to I Vicerè (1908–1913, unfinished).
, of Spanish origins. This family, the Uzeda princes of Francalanza, were during the previous Spanish rule "Vicerè" (that is, they represented the monarch). The plot, fictional but very accurate in describing social and political background, follows the private history of the Uzedas during the last year of Bourbon
domination in the kingdom of Two Sicilies and the first decades of Regno d'Italia
. It portrays the evolution from feudal rule to a parliamentary system. De Roberto uses the literary style of Verismo
(the Italian version of Naturalism
). There is no privileged point of view (neither of the author nor others), but rather a plurality of voices. Mass scenes are powerful, and the description of various social backgrounds is rich and deep. The primary aim of all members of the Uzeda family is to retain power regardless of the changes that occur, even if this requires actions that the reader will undoubtedly judge to be cynical, or even absurd. De Roberto portrays a world undergoing fundamental change, but seemingly holds no hope for the future: no aspect of society is represented as free from corruption.
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
writer, who became well known for his novel
Novel
A novel is a book of long narrative in literary prose. The genre has historical roots both in the fields of the medieval and early modern romance and in the tradition of the novella. The latter supplied the present generic term in the late 18th century....
I Vicerè (1894). He began his writing career as a journalist for national newspapers, where he met Giovanni Verga
Giovanni Verga
Giovanni Carmelo Verga was an Italian realist writer, best known for his depictions of life in Sicily, and especially for the short story "Cavalleria Rusticana" and the novel I Malavoglia .-Life and career:The first son of Giovanni Battista Catalano Verga and Caterina Di Mauro,...
and Luigi Capuana
Luigi Capuana
Luigi Capuana was an Italian author and journalist and one of the most important members of the Verist movement. He was a contemporary of Giovanni Verga, both having been born in the province of Catania within a year of each other. He was also one of the first authors influenced by the works of...
, the most prominent writers of the Verismo
Verismo
Verismo was an Italian literary movement which peaked between approximately 1875 and the early 1900s....
style. Verga introduced him into the literary circles of Milan
Milan
Milan is the second-largest city in Italy and the capital city of the region of Lombardy and of the province of Milan. The city proper has a population of about 1.3 million, while its urban area, roughly coinciding with its administrative province and the bordering Province of Monza and Brianza ,...
. De Roberto authored two books of short stories: La Sorte (1887), Documenti umani (1888). His first novel, Ermanno Raeli, (1889) is largely autobiographical; deeper in psychological analysis is the second, L'illusione (1891). In 1894 his novel I Vicerè was published. It was the result of years of hard work, but obtained little success upon its release. Disillusionment and nervous disorders induced De Roberto to resume journalistic work: he became a writer for the Corriere della Sera
Corriere della Sera
The Corriere della Sera is an Italian daily newspaper, published in Milan.It is among the oldest and most reputable Italian newspapers. Its main rivals are Rome's La Repubblica and Turin's La Stampa.- History :...
and the Giornale d'Italia. Only later, after some experience as an playwright, he returned to the novel, with L'Impero, sequel to I Vicerè (1908–1913, unfinished).
I Vicerè
The novel consists of three parts and is based upon the story of a noble family of CataniaCatania
Catania is an Italian city on the east coast of Sicily facing the Ionian Sea, between Messina and Syracuse. It is the capital of the homonymous province, and with 298,957 inhabitants it is the second-largest city in Sicily and the tenth in Italy.Catania is known to have a seismic history and...
, of Spanish origins. This family, the Uzeda princes of Francalanza, were during the previous Spanish rule "Vicerè" (that is, they represented the monarch). The plot, fictional but very accurate in describing social and political background, follows the private history of the Uzedas during the last year of Bourbon
House of Bourbon
The House of Bourbon is a European royal house, a branch of the Capetian dynasty . Bourbon kings first ruled Navarre and France in the 16th century. By the 18th century, members of the Bourbon dynasty also held thrones in Spain, Naples, Sicily, and Parma...
domination in the kingdom of Two Sicilies and the first decades of Regno d'Italia
Kingdom of Italy (1861–1946)
The Kingdom of Italy was a state forged in 1861 by the unification of Italy under the influence of the Kingdom of Sardinia, which was its legal predecessor state...
. It portrays the evolution from feudal rule to a parliamentary system. De Roberto uses the literary style of Verismo
Verismo
Verismo was an Italian literary movement which peaked between approximately 1875 and the early 1900s....
(the Italian version of Naturalism
Naturalism (literature)
Naturalism was a literary movement taking place from the 1880s to 1940s that used detailed realism to suggest that social conditions, heredity, and environment had inescapable force in shaping human character...
). There is no privileged point of view (neither of the author nor others), but rather a plurality of voices. Mass scenes are powerful, and the description of various social backgrounds is rich and deep. The primary aim of all members of the Uzeda family is to retain power regardless of the changes that occur, even if this requires actions that the reader will undoubtedly judge to be cynical, or even absurd. De Roberto portrays a world undergoing fundamental change, but seemingly holds no hope for the future: no aspect of society is represented as free from corruption.