Pirandello's most renowned book is a literary masterpiece that masterfully reveals both the flaws and virtues of the Modern Man. It does so through a captivating and engaging story that is not only brilliant but also highly entertaining. What makes this book truly unique is its surreal nature, which, in a strange way, enhances its realism. It takes the reader on a journey that blurs the lines between reality and fantasy, making them question their own perceptions and understanding of the modern world.

Featured in my Top 5 20th Century Italian Novels, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in exploring the human condition and the impact of modernity. It offers valuable insights into the complex and often contradictory nature of the Modern Man, and its themes and ideas continue to resonate with readers today. To discover more about this amazing book, check out the video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yn6D59....

I finished reading this pillar of Italian literature just a few minutes ago and I couldn't be more satisfied.

I loved Pirandello in school, when in the last year I studied his works, and I love him today, when finally I decided to read his novels.

"Il fu Mattia Pascal" is the story of a man, a man like many others but who happens to live a rather absurd adventure, I dare say. And it is in this absurdity that the reader manages to "uncover" the reality, his reality.

Pirandello puts us in front of a truth: each of us wears masks. At a certain point we can try to get rid of them, but they will continue to pursue us throughout our lives. And the torment, the worries and all that derives from wearing a mask is described and told miraculously in this novel.

Pirandello has a particular style that, at first impact, can seem difficult; but, the moment one surrenders to the flow of the narration, it becomes extremely enjoyable.

During the reading there are truly exhilarating passages and very often these same passages give the reader a feeling of compassion that accompanies him until the last lines of the novel, when the pages are closed and a sweet and at the same time bitter smile is born on the lips.

“... fuori di quelle particolarità, liete o tristi che siano, per cui noi siamo noi, caro signor Pascal, non è possibile vivere. ” This profound statement is not only a classic of Italian literature but also a work that took me a significant amount of time to complete. The reflection on identity within it is truly captivating, as is the intricate plot. However, perhaps it was simply the author's unique style that slowed me down. I found myself pausing frequently, pondering over the words and their deeper meanings. But despite the challenges, I was still drawn in by the story. Now, as I look forward to the next Pirandello work, I know that it will also demand my full attention and patience. I am eager to see what new insights and emotions it will bring, and I am sure that it will be another enriching experience.

It was one of those completely unknown books that we happened to find in a bookstore, with an appealing discount, and we just couldn't resist buying it. You know? I fell in love with the synopsis, the interesting title, and the peculiar cover, and I had to read it right away. "The Late Mattia Pascal" perhaps didn't make me fall in love as much as this initial moment of our relationship, but it is still an excellent example of literature!

Critique on

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Luigi Pirandello is not only renowned for his works in prose but also for his remarkable work as a playwright. This aspect is clearly evident in this particular work and in other similar ones, such as "6 characters in search for a writer". His stories are often brimming with originality and are highly dramatic, yet they also depict a strange reality that grabs our attention.

In this narrative, the protagonist, Mattia Pascal, finds himself trapped in a life that offers him no joy. With a wife and mother-in-law constantly badgering him, the only people he truly loved, his twin daughters and mother, were cruelly taken away from him by destiny. In a desperate attempt to escape, he heads to Monte Carlo, where fortune smiles upon him and he acquires a small fortune. However, when he decides to return home, he discovers while reading the newspaper that his wife and mother-in-law have declared an unknown corpse to be his own.

Immersed in profound shock, he realizes that this is his opportunity to start a brand new life. He settles in Rome with a new identity, and his character develops in unexpected and admirable ways. Yet, now the protagonist finds himself embroiled in multiple incidents that lead him to conclude that continuing with his plans will only bring misery to those he loves, precisely because his entire life, both his newfound freedom and his past, is now a lie.

Ultimately, he decides to fake his own death and return to his original life. This proves to be difficult as his family and town seem to have adjusted to his death, and his own attempts to readjust to his previous character prompt him to have mercy on his now remarried wife.

So, after dying twice, the late Mattia Pascal reduces himself to a figure on the periphery of society, a mere spectator in his own life. The book provides an interesting exploration of how death affected him and how he didn't have to physically die to understand what it was like to be ostracized from society.

There is some genius - quote.

Genius is a rare and remarkable quality that sets certain individuals apart. It is not just about having high intelligence or being exceptionally talented in a particular field. True genius often involves the ability to think outside the box, to come up with innovative ideas and solutions that others may not even consider.

Geniuses have made significant contributions to various aspects of human life, from science and technology to art and literature. Their works have had a profound impact on society and have shaped the way we live and think today.

However, being a genius is not without its challenges. Geniuses may face isolation and misunderstanding from those around them, as their ideas and ways of thinking may be too advanced or different. They may also experience pressure to constantly produce great works and to live up to the expectations placed upon them.

Despite these challenges, the presence of genius in our world is a cause for celebration. It reminds us of the limitless potential of the human mind and the power of creativity and innovation. We should strive to recognize and nurture the genius within ourselves and others, and to create an environment that encourages and supports their growth and development.

In general, I can say with great certainty that it is a great book.

What captivated me the most was the theme of identity and how this question casts doubt on the life of Matías: Is it worth creating a new life when we have a previous life from which we cannot escape?

It must be admitted that at times I was bored or it seemed very burdensome to me. It is a book that contains a lot of philosophical-style reflection, but that was not what particularly bored me. On the contrary, the philosophical parts were my favorites and the ones I will remember the most in the future.

I think Pirandello did a great job with this novel and I would definitely recommend it. However, it does not have that certain something that would turn this text into one of my favorites.

Perhaps it lacks a certain emotional depth or a more engaging plot that would have made me completely fall in love with it. Nevertheless, it is still a remarkable work that offers valuable insights into the human condition and the concept of identity.

Overall, I would rate this book 3.3 stars out of 5. It has its strengths and weaknesses, but it is definitely worth reading for those interested in exploring the themes of identity and self-discovery.

Have you ever had the desire to halt your life and transform into someone else?

Well, this is precisely what "The Late Mattia Pascal" delves into.

The concept makes absolute sense.

It is a classic novel that explores the theme of identity and how it unfolds in an individual's world.

The story likely takes the reader on a journey through the protagonist's struggles and discoveries regarding who they truly are.

Perhaps Mattia Pascal finds himself dissatisfied with his current life and decides to take on a new identity.

This could lead to a series of events that challenge his perception of himself and those around him.

The novel may also touch on the idea of the consequences of such a drastic change.

Overall, "The Late Mattia Pascal" seems to be a thought-provoking and engaging exploration of the complex nature of identity.

Mattia filosofizes about death, identity, and the boundaries of his freedom after being believed to have committed suicide by his fellow citizens and starting a new life elsewhere.

He delves deep into the profound questions that萦绕 in his mind. What does death truly mean? How does one's identity change when they are presumed dead? And where does the limit of his newfound freedom lie?

Mattia's reflections take him on a journey of self-discovery. He examines the impact of his supposed death on those he left behind and how it has shaped his own perception of himself.

Although he is not entirely satisfied with the ending of this story, the first two-thirds have been fascinating. It makes him question the very essence of his being and forces him to confront the unknown.

As he continues to explore these themes, Mattia hopes to gain a deeper understanding of himself and the world around him.

The novel is of the genre of magical realism, and it is difficult to classify it into a single literary school because it lies between the fantastic and the realistic.

It explores the relationship of the individual with society and the relationship of life with form. Not everything that appears to us represents the truth. The era of miracles and coincidences has not ended, and how the events and meetings occur without an orderly sequence, with its inadvertent surprises and the enchanting and captivating language of Brandello, which gives two impressions at the same time. The most beautiful thing in the novel is the simplicity of the style and the spirit of humor that adds a spicy touch despite the seriousness of the topics and its deep philosophy.

It is a novel about identity, family, hypocrisy, the truth of marriage, integration into society, social restrictions, madness, and the longing for freedom. When I read it, I wished that life would give me a chance to start anew. But after I reread it, I began to think about changing my philosophy of life and trying to discover the secret of death between its lines.

Letto la prima volta al liceo per compito, riletto la seconda volta all'università per l'esame di Letteratura Italiana Contemporanea. Sempre bellissimo!

When I first read it in high school for an assignment, it was already captivating. The words seemed to dance on the page, drawing me into a world of emotions and ideas.

Then, in university, I reread it for the exam of Contemporary Italian Literature. Once again, it amazed me. The depth of the themes, the complexity of the characters, and the beauty of the language all combined to create a truly unforgettable experience.

This work has a timeless quality that makes it relevant and engaging no matter how many times you read it. It is a masterpiece that continues to inspire and move readers, and I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to study it twice.

Mattia Pascal finds himself trapped in a marriage that is not only nasty but also highly complicated, largely due to a proverbial mother-in-law. Fed up, he decides to escape from his family. He then goes to the casino and manages to gain some money. To his surprise, he discovers that his family members have identified a corpse as his, believing that he probably committed suicide.

Most of the book details the period when he thinks he can simply stay away from home and build a new life for himself. However, being a dead man comes with its own set of complications. This leads to a real identity crisis for him.

Pirandello, in this novel, uses many relatively short streams of consciousness to describe the situations Mattia Pascal, now Adriano Meis, gets into. He paints a vivid picture of the ups and downs of Adriano's life. Many events occur, such as him falling in love and having money stolen from him. Pirandello's tone is laconic, yet intertwined with a great deal of somberness during the time Adriano lives his new life. The language may seem old-fashioned, and indeed it is, as the novel was published in 1904. Thanks to the wonderful translation by Jenny Tuin, Dutch readers can enjoy the work of Luigi Pirandello.

In hindsight, we can see the influence of modern science in the conception of this novel. People were becoming interested in psychology during that time, and the 'fin-de-siècle' period in Vienna left its mark on the literary production that followed. Pirandello's wife had a nervous breakdown in 1903, and in 1904, his novel The late Mattia Pascal was published. He must have been aware of Freud and others.

As Pirandello himself describes in a letter, he has a 'big me' that is social and a closed 'little me'. These two identities are at odds with each other, and the first 'I' is like a mask to hide behind. Everyone is trapped in their attempts to create a reality for themselves and others. Masking the truth is a crucial theme in his work.

Pirandello makes a distinction between life (the events) and the way those events manifest themselves. Life and form rarely match, and this tension is a central theme in his work. We can clearly observe the identity crisis of Mattia Pascal when he realizes his status as a supposed deceased person early in the novel and how uneasy this is for his future existence. The way Pirandello portrays this character is an early example of modernist writing.

This closely resembles another example of early modernism, the novel 'Niebla' by Miguel de Unamuno. After reading this Spanish classic on 15 June, 2024, I can see a clear resemblance, as pointed out in the comments of Kalliope's excellent review.

With even more confidence and enthusiasm, I will embark on my journey to devour all of Pirandello's novellas, as published by Coppens & Frenks, starting gradually from next year (2024). JM