NEGRI (Ada, 1870-1945, lyric poet and novelist, 1st woman member (1940) of the Italian Academy)

Autograph Letter Signed to 'Gentilissima', in Italian with translation, saying "I should have written before; but these days I am not very well and I feel rather tired", her correspondent's book " 'Mediterranean Baltic' is most interesting ... you have avoided descriptive pages written 'for effect', which are quite easy to write when travelling, and it contains quite fine and subtle observations on social progress; particularly women's life ... 'A dinner without an appointment' ... is capital ... eloquent, and worth translating ... into Swedish. I would go on longer, if I could", and wishing her "the best success with your fine book", 2 sides folio, Viale dei Mille 7, Milan, 4th February

Ada Negri was born of very poor parents. Her mother slaved 13 hours a day in a silk factory to put her through normal (teacher training) school. In 1892 her first volume of lyrics ("Fatalità") rocketed her to fame. Gradually her writing expanded from the 'rebel proletarian' to a passion for all humanity, with deep spiritual insight into the loneliness of women, "lonely in spite of family, lonely in spite of love", the ecstasy of beauty and the ecstasy of love. She is the greatest woman lyricist of modern Italy, and her prose style is pure, delicate and direct.

Item Date:  1937

Stock No:  19419      £175

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