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Eleven Short Stories/Undici Novelle (A Dual-Language Book)

luigi pirandello stanley appelbaum

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Winner of the 1934 Nobel Prize for literature, Luigi Pirandello (1867 - 1936) is best known for such landmark plays as Six Characters in Search of an Author . One of the great literary figures of the twentieth century, he also distinguished himself in a vast outpouring of short stories, poetry, novels, and essays. The stories often provided the seeds for later novels and plays.
The 11 tales included in this collection are among his best. Presented in the original Italian with excellent new English translations on facing pages, they offer students of Italian language and literature a unique learning aid and a treasury of superb fiction by a modern master.
The stories range in time from the earliest known tale, "Little Hut," a study of rural passions written in 1884, to "Mrs. Frola and Mr. Ponza, Her Son-in-Law," a quintessential Pirandello story about the relativity of truth and the impossibility of penetrating other people's minds. Published in 1917, it formed the basis of Pirandello's first major play, Right You Are If You Think You Are . In addition to these narratives, the volume also includes "Citrons from Sicily," "With Other Eyes," "A Voice," "The Fly," "The Oil Jar," "It's Not to be Taken Seriously," "Think it Over, Giacomino!," "A Character's Tragedy," and "A Prancing Horse."
Accompanying the stories are a biographical and critical introduction to Pirandello and his work, brief introductions to each of the stories and explanatory footnotes.

208 pages, Paperback

First published May 6,1994

This edition

Format
208 pages, Paperback
Published
May 6, 1994 by Dover Publications
ISBN
9780486280912
ASIN
0486280918
Language
English

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About the author

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luigi pirandello

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Luigi Pirandello; Agrigento (28 June 1867 – Rome 10 December 1936) 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.

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Community Reviews

Rating(3.9 / 5.0, 19 votes)
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5(26%)
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7(37%)
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19 reviews All reviews
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-Penta-
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Capannetta: Bozzetto siciliano

Lumie di Sicilia

These titles seem to offer a glimpse into the rich and diverse world of Sicilian literature or art. Each one has its own unique charm and potential for exploration.

Con altri occhi, Una voce, La mosca, and La giara all suggest different perspectives, voices, and small, perhaps overlooked elements of life. They might invite us to see the world in a new way or pay attention to the details that often go unnoticed.

Non e una cosa seria and Pensaci, Giacomino add an element of lightheartedness or a call to reflection. They make us question the seriousness of things and encourage us to think about them more deeply.

Finally, La tragedia d'un personaggio and La rallegrata contrast the tragic and the joyous, showing the full range of human emotions and experiences. And La signeore Frola e il signor Ponza, suo genero presents a specific relationship or story that could be further explored and understood.
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RichtheLionheart
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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This is not actually the Pirandello's work I owned.

However, since I find it interesting in the way he placed his character in the tragic or pathetic condition, I think he should be on the list.

I would say that he really described real life. Biographically, his own life is not really different from those stories he has written.

I obtained the Indonesian version of his work from the "akubaca" publisher and am still in a very good mood when it comes to finding his other works or discussing about them.

Pirandello's works seem to have a unique charm that attracts me. His ability to create complex and relatable characters in difficult situations is truly remarkable.

I look forward to exploring more of his works and delving deeper into the themes and ideas he presents.

Perhaps through further study, I will gain a better understanding of his writing style and the messages he is trying to convey.

Overall, I am glad to have discovered Pirandello's work and am excited to see what else he has to offer.
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DevilKirito
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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A Book for Reflection


A thought-provoking, inward-examining, self-reflection yet witty, fun, and memorable book is a true gem. It has the power to make us think deeply about ourselves and the world around us. Among all the books I've read, I like It's Not To Be Taken Seriously the most. This book has a unique charm that keeps me engaged from start to finish. The author's writing style is both humorous and profound, making it a joy to read.


My next TBR (To Be Read) by Pirandello is One, No One, and a Thousand. I'm really looking forward to delving into this book and exploring the themes and ideas that Pirandello presents. I've heard great things about this book and I'm excited to see how it will impact me. I'm sure it will be another thought-provoking and engaging read that will add to my collection of favorite books.

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AndreAffonso
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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The original article seems a bit unclear. However, I'll do my best to rewrite and expand it based on what I assume you might mean.

**Original Article**: 8,5/10

**Rewritten and Expanded Article**:

The number 8 is a whole number that holds significance in many aspects of life. It can represent a variety of things, such as the number of days in a work week for some or a symbol of balance and harmony in certain cultures.


On the other hand, the fraction 5/10 can be simplified to 1/2. This fraction represents half of a whole. It could be used to describe a portion of something, like half of a pizza or half of a group.


When we see the combination 8,5/10, it might make us think about a situation where we have 8 whole units and an additional half unit. Maybe it's 8 and a half hours of work, or 8 and a half apples.


In conclusion, the numbers 8 and 5/10 have their own individual meanings and when combined, they can create a unique concept that can be applied in various real-life scenarios.
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jiwoo1024
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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The Wheelbarrow - 4.5 stars (not in this book)

Citrons from Sicily - 4 stars

The Oil Jar - 2.5 stars

Mrs. Frola and Mr. Ponza, Her Son-in-Law



These are some of the works that have received various ratings. The Wheelbarrow, unfortunately, is not part of this particular book but has managed to earn a remarkable 4.5 stars elsewhere. Citrons from Sicily has also done well, achieving a solid 4-star rating. On the other hand, The Oil Jar has received a relatively lower rating of 2.5 stars. Finally, Mrs. Frola and Mr. Ponza, Her Son-in-Law is another work included here. Each of these works likely has its own unique characteristics and qualities that have contributed to their respective ratings. Whether it's the creativity, the depth of the story, or the writing style, these factors all play a role in how readers perceive and rate the works.
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elchibi
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Some of the stories in this collection were truly sweet and filled with a sense of nostalgia. They had the power to transport the reader back to their own cherished memories, evoking a warm and fuzzy feeling.

However, not all the stories were of the same caliber. There were others that were rather sad, tugging at the heartstrings and leaving the reader with a sense of melancholy.

And then there were a couple of stories that failed to capture my interest. They seemed a bit dull and lacking in excitement, making it a bit of a chore to get through them.

Overall, while I have read better short story collections in the past, this one wasn't bad either. It had its moments of charm and poignancy, and despite its flaws, it was still an enjoyable read.

I would recommend it to those who are looking for a diverse collection of stories that will take them on an emotional journey.
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Kushukushu
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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I decided to read this particular book with the intention of getting more exposure to the Italian language.

It is a dual-language book, which means that one side presents the text in Italian and the other side in English.

However, as I started reading, I found myself mostly relying on the English side. The reason for this was that the stories in the Italian section utilized quite advanced vocabulary.

Despite this, I still believe that the book served as a good learning tool.

It allowed me to see the Italian words and phrases in context, and I could compare them with the English translations.

Although the stories sometimes confused me, especially when I tried to understand them solely in Italian, I think this was also a valuable part of the learning process.

It made me think more deeply about the language and try to figure out the meanings of the words and expressions.

Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in learning Italian and wants to improve their vocabulary and comprehension skills.
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Ginga_Daiuchuu
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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This compendium contains a few translated stories.

As the title implies, there are 11 short stories by the Sicilian author from the turn of the century. Stanley Appelbaum has not only completed a brilliant introduction but also a detailed biography of Pirandello.

The stories include Capannetta, Lumie di Sicilia, Con Altri Occhi, Una voce, La mosca, La giara, non e una cosa seria, Pensaci Giacomino, La Tragedia d'un personaggio, la rallegrata, la signora Frola e il signor Ponza, suo genero. I still need to read the last 3 out of the total 11.

Appelbaum describes Pirandello in the best way, presenting a scholarly and vivid oral painting with the utmost clarity. The stories are well-chosen, cute, smart, and random, making them a great means to learn Italian.

Overall, this compendium offers a wonderful collection of Pirandello's works, providing readers with an opportunity to explore his unique literary style and gain insights into the Sicilian culture and society of that era.
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