Poesie Australiane by Valli Maria (2 results)

Soft cover. Condition: USED_GOOD. 1st Edition. First Edition, [viii] + xii + [1] + 109 + [2 blank]pp, softcover with black and white illustration of a lighthouse, spotting to top leaves and inscription on title page, slight wrinkling to latter section of the book (probably from water) and spotting to top leaves o/w good condition, Hutchinson Ltd, London, 1989. * Italian and English text side by side from this Italian author and poet.

Condition: Near fine. First Edition. Softcover : pp. [viii] xii [1] 109 [3 blank] : English and Italian text : b & w illustration of lighthouse to cover. Poesie Australiane (Australian Poems), is to our knowledge the only work of Maria Valli's that has been translated into English. She was a respected novelist and poet in Italy since the publication of her first novel, Primo Amore in 1946. She accompanied her Italian Consul husband, Dr Federigo Valli, to Brisbane in 1967. Of her poetry published in 1957 (Piccolo Esilio), a reviewer wrote, "Maria Valli cannot get enough of life, she is insatiable. Her eyes see and desire" (quoted in Speirs' Introduction). Of Poesie Australiane, Valli herself writes, "These poems are my encounter with Australia. They are I more than any of my former books. Because, in thinking of the atmosphere of Australia, I think of a country which, although being at the height of modern civilization, defends and respects the integrity of man." She writes of our River, of New Farm, of the Botanical Gardens, and even moreso the beaches of Coolangatta and Broadbeach. In translation her poetry is very mature, not without love for her location but also clearly uncomfortable. Maria Valli deserves to be known in Brisbane and by Brisbane. We have a number of copies of her book, translated by University of Queensland's A.G.E. Speirs. They are all in near fine condition.