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Il fu Mattia Pascal

romanzo.
Published
1904
Language
English

Synopsis

What happens when a man fakes his own death to escape his life, only to find that starting over isn't as simple as it seems? Mattia Pascal, after a series of unfortunate events, sees an opportunity to reinvent himself as Adriano Meis. He moves to Rome seeking a fresh start, but soon discovers that living under a false identity comes with its own unique set of challenges and unexpected consequences.

About the author

L
Luigi Pirandello

Luigi Pirandello was an Italian dramatist, novelist, poet, and short story writer whose greatest contributions were his plays. He was awarded the 1934 Nobel Prize in Literature for "his almost magical power to turn psychological analysis into good theatre." Pirandello's works include novels, hundreds of short stories, and about 40 plays, some of which are written in Sicilian. Pirandello's tragic farces are often seen as forerunners of the Theatre of the Absurd.

Characters

Mattia PascalProtagonist
Adriano MeisProtagonist
RomildaSupporting
All characters in Il fu Mattia Pascal

Frequently asked questions

  • Are there any film adaptations of this novel?

    The novel has been adapted into several films, most notably a 1985 Italian version directed by Mario Monicelli and a 1937 production directed by Pierre Chenal.

  • How does this book relate to the author's other works?

    This novel is widely considered the first major exploration of the theme of the mask in Pirandello's writing, a concept he would later develop extensively in his subsequent plays and novels.

  • What inspired the writing of this story?

    Pirandello wrote the novel during a period of severe personal and financial distress following the bankruptcy of his father's business and the subsequent mental health decline of his wife.