Lina Pietravalle: The Forgotten Writer Who Put Molise on Italy's Literary Map

Lina Pietravalle, born in 1887 in Fasano di Brindisi to a noble family from Salcito, faced emotional turmoil due to her father Michele's constant moves, ultimately leading the family to settle in Turin. She found joy at Villa Regina boarding school and married journalist Pasquale Nonno in 1907 at the age of 20. Financial hardships forced her to reside with her in-laws in Chiauci while Pasquale worked in Rome, but they later separated. Moving to Rome with her son Lionello, she began writing for newspapers. In 1923, she received the Bemporad prize for Custodia, and the following year, she published I racconti della terra. After marrying architect Giorgio Bacchelli in 1925, she released Le Catene in 1930 and earned a Viareggio prize in 1931. She endured the loss of her husband during WWII and her son in 1944, continuing her writing until 1952. Lina passed away in Naples in 1965.