Gli indifferenti

Gli Indifferenti (The Time of Indifference) was Alberto Moravia's breakthrough novel, published in 1929 when he was only 22 years old. The book was initially rejected by publishers but eventually released with financial support from Moravia's father. The narrative follows a middle-class Roman family over the course of two days, centering on a widow named Mariagrazia and her two children. The story explores the complex dynamics between the family members and Leo, a wealthy man who maintains romantic relationships with both Mariagrazia and her daughter Carla. The novel examines the moral and emotional paralysis of the Italian bourgeoisie in the period between World Wars. Its stark portrayal of family relationships, sexuality, and social decay established Moravia as a significant voice in 20th century Italian literature.

Readers note the book's unflinching portrayal of moral decay in an upper-middle-class Roman family. Reviews highlight Moravia's stark writing style and psychological depth in depicting the characters' emotional detachment. Readers appreciated: - Raw depiction of family dysfunction - Complex character relationships - Social commentary on 1920s Italian bourgeoisie - Psychological realism Common criticisms: - Slow pacing, especially in middle sections - Unsympathetic characters - Repetitive internal monologues - Dense prose style that can be difficult to follow Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon Italy: 4.1/5 (150+ ratings) Several Italian reviewers on Goodreads praised the "cutting social critique" but found the characters "intentionally unlikeable." Multiple English-language reviews noted translation issues affecting the flow of dialogue. One frequent comment was that the book requires patience but rewards close reading with psychological insights.

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The Conformist by Alberto Moravia Explores the psychological and moral paralysis of the Italian middle class during fascism through the story of a man seeking social acceptance.

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🔸 Written when Moravia was only 21 years old while recovering from tuberculosis, "Gli indifferenti" was initially rejected by multiple publishers before becoming a literary sensation in 1929. 🔸 The novel's publication coincided with the strengthening of Mussolini's fascist regime, and its themes of moral decay served as a subtle critique of Italian society under fascism. 🔸 The book's innovative use of "free indirect discourse" and psychological realism influenced numerous Italian neorealist writers and filmmakers of the post-war period. 🔸 Moravia wrote the novel while living in poverty, and allegedly had to sell his father's books to afford paper to write it on. 🔸 The character of Michele, one of the two siblings in the novel, is often considered a semi-autobiographical portrayal of Moravia himself, reflecting his own struggles with bourgeois society and moral indifference.