Il mare non bagna Napoli (English edition) - Anna Maria Ortese

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Anna Maria Ortese's "The Sea Doesn't Bathe Naples" is a powerful and poignant portrait of life in the Neapolitan city during the post-World War II era. Through a collection of short stories, Ortese captures the dire social conditions and harsh realities of the Neapolitan working class with lyrical and evocative prose.

I was deeply moved by the author's ability to convey, through both surreal and hyper-realistic tones, a profound sense of despair yet resilient hope. The various figures that populate these tales, from the port loaders to the crumbling alleys, impressed upon my mind a vivid picture of a forgivable yet trapped south, mired in its past. 

However, some tales prove more compelling than others. Moreover, Ortese's style can at times disorient. But overall, "The Sea Doesn't Bathe Naples" is a masterful work that manages to transfigure reality through a lyrical and surreal lens, restoring to the reader a unique perspective on this fascinating city and its inhabitants.

1995