Luigi Pirandello : contemporary perspectives / edited by Gian-Paolo Biasin and Manuela Gieri.

Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

Essays discuss the texts of Luigi Pirandello, one of the literary giants of this century and present an up-to-date re-evaluations of Pirandello's works, including his poetry, novels, short stories, plays, essays, letters, and memoirs.

Reviews provided by Syndetics

CHOICE Review

An outstanding contribution to Pirandello studies, this well-edited, rich volume offers 12 outstanding essays on diverse aspects of Pirandello's fictional and theatrical production and on the directions of current critical work on his oeuvre. Each of the four sections--"Introduction," "Structures," "Meanings," and "Innovations"--offers balanced and learned readings of canonical and less well known Pirandellian texts by distinguished scholars working in North America and Italy. Of particular interest are the introductory essays: "Pirandello at 360 Degrees," by the volume's editors, provides a succinct and thoughtful overview of the essays and their salient critical directions; "Scenes and Texts: Perspectives in Pirandellian Criticism," by Franca Angelini, orients readers to the productions of plays and editorial initiatives of 1993-94 (that is, those that appeared after the 1993 expiration of Pirandello's copyright on his works). Among the most stimulating readings are Daniela Bini's essay, which is deeply informed with a feminist critical perspective, and Wladimir Krysinki's consideration of Pirandello within the context of discourses on modernity and postmodernism. All of the pieces are marked by erudition and originality of approach and insight. Highly recommended to scholars (upper-division undergraduate and above) and general readers with interests in theater and drama, Italian, and comparative studies. R. West; University of Chicago