Making the Italians (Paperback)

Lindsay Myers

ISBN 10: 3039113615 / ISBN 13: 9783039113613

Published by Verlag Peter Lang, Pieterlen, 2011

About this Item

Paperback. Italian childrens literature has a diverse and unusual tradition of fantasy. With the exception of Carlo Collodis Pinocchio, however, it has remained almost entirely unknown outside of Italy. Why is it that Italian childrens fantasy has remained such a well-kept secret? How international is the term fantasy, and to what extent has its development been influenced by local as well as global factors? Cross-cultural and cross-linguistic research into this neglected area is essential if we are to enrich our understanding of this important literary genre. This book charts the history and evolution of Italian childrens fantasy, from its first appearance in the 1870s to the present day. It traces the structural and thematic progression of the genre in Italy and situates this development against the changing backdrop of Italian culture, society and politics. The author argues that ever since the foundation of Italy as a nation-state the Italian people have been actively involved in an ongoing process of identity formation and that the development of childrens fantasy texts has been inextricably intertwined with sociopolitical and cultural imperatives. Why is it that Italian children's fantasy has remained such a well-kept secret? How 'international' is the term 'fantasy', and to what extent has its development been influenced by local as well as global factors? This book charts the history and evolution of Italian children's fantasy, from its first appearance in the 1870s to the present day. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability.

Seller Inventory # 9783039113613

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Making the Italians (Paperback)
• Publisher: Verlag Peter Lang, Pieterlen
• Publication Date: 2011
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 3039113615
• ISBN 13: 9783039113613
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Condition: new

About this title

Synopsis

Italian children’s literature has a diverse and unusual tradition of fantasy. With the exception of Carlo Collodi’s Pinocchio, however, it has remained almost entirely unknown outside of Italy. Why is it that Italian children’s fantasy has remained such a well-kept secret? How ‘international’ is the term ‘fantasy’, and to what extent has its development been influenced by local as well as global factors? Cross-cultural and cross-linguistic research into this neglected area is essential if we are to enrich our understanding of this important literary genre.
This book charts the history and evolution of Italian children’s fantasy, from its first appearance in the 1870s to the present day. It traces the structural and thematic progression of the genre in Italy and situates this development against the changing backdrop of Italian culture, society and politics. The author argues that ever since the foundation of Italy as a nation-state the Italian people have been actively involved in an ongoing process of identity formation and that the development of children’s fantasy texts has been inextricably intertwined with sociopolitical and cultural imperatives.

About the Author

Lindsay Myers lectures in Italian and children’s literature at the National University of Ireland, Galway. Her research interests include nineteenth and twentieth-century Italian children’s literature and culture, fantasy literature, comparative children’s literature and children’s film.