The Land of Cockayne: A Novel

Name: The Land of Cockayne: A Novel
Author: Matilde Serao

By Matilde Serao

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About This Book

The narrative interweaves episodes from urban life in Naples, following families, tradespeople, and local notables as luck, faith, and social pressure alter their fortunes. Set pieces include a public lottery drawing, a christening, carnival scenes, visions and a reported miracle, a medium's imprisonment, bankruptcy, lawsuits and a duel. Recurring themes are superstition, economic precarity, communal ritual, and the collision of private desires with public judgment, with several personal relationships and legal entanglements illustrating how hope and hardship shape everyday existence.

About the Author

Matilde Serao

Matilde Serao was an influential Italian author and journalist, known for her vivid storytelling and keen social observations. Born in 1856 in Naples, she became a prominent figure in Italian literature, contributing significantly to the literary scene of her time. Serao's works often explore themes of love, life, and the complexities of human relationships. Among her notable books is "Sterminator Vesevo" (Vesuvius the great exterminator), which provides a gripping account of the 1906 eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Her novels, such as "After the Pardon" and "The Desire of Life," reflect her deep understanding of the human condition and the societal issues of her era.