Fuoco

About this book

This powerful novel by Italy's renowned Decadent writer depicts the passionate struggle of two gifted artists for supremacy in love and art. A talented young writer, Stelio Effrena is infatuated with Foscarina, an actress at the peak of her fame. Together they dream of creating an ideal, popular theater. But Stelio's obsession with his own ideas and jealousy of her following steer him away from Foscarina, to ward the attractions of a younger woman. Tormented by this knowledge, Foscarina's love becomes desperate and she is overcome by a sense of foreboding at her own loss of youth. One of the great works of fin-de siecle European literature, The Flame was drawn from D'Annunzio's stormy relationship with Eleonora Duse. Such an exposure of the private lives of two of Italy's most public figures caused a scandal when the book first appeared in 1900.

Themes & subjects

About the author

Gabriele D'Annunzio

12 Mar 1863 – 1 Mar 1938

Gabriele D'Annunzio or d'Annunzio (ennobled by the King of Italy in 1924 as Principe di Montenevoso; Italian pronunciation: [ɡabriˈɛːle danˈnuntsjo]; 12 March 1863 – 1 March 1938) was an Italian poet, journalist, novelist, dramatist, and daredevil. His role in politics is controversial due to his influence on the Italian Fascist movement and his status as the alleged forerunner of Benito Mussolini. His original name was Gaetano Rapagnetta. D'Annunzio's life and work are commemorated in a museum, Il Vittoriale degli Italiani. He planned and developed it himself, adjacent to his villa at Gardone Riviera on the southwest bank of Lake Garda, between 1923 and his death. Now a national monum…