Producing translations of Ginzburg's work is a painstaking and difficult process. Nevertheless it is possible to faithfully convey the powerful simplicity of Ginzburg's narrative style to
English-speaking audiences. Sometimes initially mistaken for superficiality, in reality the unfussy and faithful reproduction of individual personality which lies at the heart of Ginzburg's
narrative technique provides an extremely effective means of conveying complex truths about the human condition. Ginzburg's earliest fictional creations undoubtedly evince the unmistakable
characteristics of this technique-in particular, her clipped style and uncluttered mode of articulation sustained by an invariably detached tone. Comparing and contrasting these early works
with her later short stories demonstrates how Ginzburg's trademark narrative technique matured and flourished with the passage of time.
From the introduction by Paul Lewis
Natalia Ginzburg (1916-1991) is today recognized as one of the foremost woman writers to emerge from twentieth-century century Italy. The Complete Short Stories of Natalia Ginzburg brings
together in English translation for the first time the eight short stories that Ginzburg wrote between 1933 and 1965.
These early works are significant in the context of Ginzburg's wider repertoire. The key themes and ideas occurring therein would come to characterize much of her later work, particularly in
terms of her exploration of the difficulties implicit in developing and sustaining meaningful human relationships. Her short stories also provide intriguing insight into the development of her
trademark literary style. Including an introduction by the translator and extensive contributions from Alan Bullock, Emeritus Professor of italian at the University of Leeds, The Complete Short
Stories of Natalia Ginzburg encourages a deeper understanding of Ginzburg's life's work and complements those other collections and individual works which are already widely available in
English.
(Toronto Italian Studies)
