The garden of the Finzi-Continis

by Giorgio Bassani | Literature & Fiction |
ISBN: 0156345706 Global Overview for this book
Registered by Vasha of Ithaca, New York USA on 5/25/2009
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4 journalers for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by Vasha from Ithaca, New York USA on Monday, May 25, 2009
Translated by William Weaver.

Bassani’s novel is a moving story of Italy in the 1920s and 1930s, as Fascism takes hold and seeps into ordinary life. The narrator is a frequent visitor to the walled garden of the Finzi-Continis, a wealthy, cosmopolitan, and popular Jewish family in Ferrara. This town was also one of the key Fascist strongholds, but this dramatic irony escapes the narrator. He loves and admires the graceful, eccentric family and becomes increasingly absorbed in the garden’s pleasures as events make the world outside more threatening; soon his world has shrunk to this small space. He falls in love with the beautiful, mysterious Micòl, but they both have to watch her brother, Alberto, waste away and die from a mysterious illness. Micòl, who grasps that she has no future, is forced to withdraw from all forms of public life, abandoning hopes of a brilliant career. Eventually even the myopic narrator starts to understand what is happening, and the novel reaches its sad, inevitable conclusion.

This novel of corrupted innocence and blighted talent and opportunity is also an indictment of ordinary citizens too blind to see the threat of creeping authoritarianism and prejudice. Whiel affirming ordinary human values of friendship and kindness, it shows what happened to Italy when it made the fatal error of uniting with Nazi Germany — a moral vacuum rendered the beauty and intelligence of Italian culture vulnerable and delusive.
— Andrew Hadfield in 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die

Journal Entry 2 by 1001-library from Helsinki, Uusimaa / Nyland Finland on Monday, June 1, 2009

Thanks so much for your donation Vasha!

This book is now part of the 1001-library. If you want to take this book from the library but don't know how to proceed, please refer to the 1001-library bookshelf.

Journal Entry 3 by soffitta1 from Ipswich, Suffolk United Kingdom on Monday, June 22, 2009
Knew nothing about this one, but looks interesting! Thanks.

I read this book today, pretty much in one sitting and wanted to write a review while it was fresh in my head. One idea that kept popping up in my head was Brideshead Revisited, I could see quite a few similarities. At the start of the book, we hear of the tragic end to the family, and the book is about how we get there. The narrator is an outsider who falls for the daughter of the house, she is from a high ranking Jewish family, whereas he is not. Set against the backdrop of Fascist Italy in the 30s, this is a story that can never end well.

sent to Davemurray101 13/07

Journal Entry 4 by davemurray101 from Christiansted, US Virgin Islands US Virgin Islands on Tuesday, July 21, 2009
just recieved in the mail. thanks soffita1, hope my package to you arrives soon

Journal Entry 5 by davemurray101 from Christiansted, US Virgin Islands US Virgin Islands on Friday, July 24, 2009
just finished this one today. A book about the curious situation of Italian Jews in the lead up to WW2, and combining it with elements of a family conflict. thanks to soffita1 and the 1001 library.

Journal Entry 6 by 1001-library from Helsinki, Uusimaa / Nyland Finland on Friday, July 24, 2009


This book is now back on the 1001 library bookshelf and can be borrowed by PMing davemurray101:)

If you want to take this book from the library but don't know how to proceed, please refer to the library bookshelf.


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