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Ada d'Adamo's "Come d'aria" Wins Premio Strega 2023, a Memoir of Disability and Maternal Love

award · 2026-10-05

Ada d'Adamo received the 2023 Premio Strega, one of Italy's most esteemed literary awards, for her novel "Come d'aria." Tragically, she died shortly after being named a finalist due to a tumor. The book, structured as a diary, is a heartfelt homage to her daughter Daria, who encounters numerous difficulties. It resonates with mothers and seeks to showcase enduring love amid adversity. The title reflects connections among the names Ada, Daria, and "diario." Antonia De Francesco reviewed the work, which gained attention on Artspecialday on October 4, 2026. D'Adamo's final words were a poignant tribute to her daughter.

Fatti principali

  • "Come d'aria" by Ada d'Adamo won the Premio Strega 2023.
  • Ada d'Adamo died a few days after learning she was a finalist for the prize, due to a tumor.
  • The book is a diary-like account written for her severely disabled daughter, Daria.
  • It explores life before pregnancy and after Daria's birth, and the author's physical transformation leading to incorporation with Daria.
  • The narrative intertwines past and present, with the future as an uncertainty due to illness.
  • The book is described as a warm embrace of herself, her daughter's beauty, and society.
  • It includes reflections on the enduring pain of childbirth and the right to tell one's story.
  • The review was written by Antonia De Francesco for MIfacciodiCultura and published on Artspecialday on October 4, 2026.

Entità

Artisti

  • Ada d'Adamo
  • Daria
  • Antonia De Francesco

Istituzioni

  • Premio Strega
  • MIfacciodiCultura
  • Artspecialday

Fonti