Elsa Morante: A Life Devoted to Writing
Born on August 18, 1912, in Rome, Elsa Morante was the daughter of Jewish schoolteacher Irma Poggibonsi and postal clerk Francesco Lo Monaco, with her birth acknowledged by Irma's spouse, Augusto Morante. She was raised in Testaccio and began her writing journey at the age of 21. Her initial novels, aimed at younger audiences, were Il gioco segreto (1941) and Le bellissime avventure di Caterì dalla trecciolina (1942). On April 14, 1941, she wed writer Alberto Moravia. During the Nazi occupation, they sought refuge in Fondi, where she started her first adult novel, Menzogna e sortilegio, released in 1948. Notable works include L'isola di Arturo (1957) and La Storia (1974). Morante passed away from a heart attack on November 25, 1985.
Key facts
- Elsa Morante was born in Rome on August 18, 1912.
- Her first publications were children's stories in magazines like Corriere dei Piccoli.
- She married Alberto Moravia on April 14, 1941.
- Menzogna e sortilegio was published in 1948 with Natalia Ginzburg's help.
- L'isola di Arturo won the Premio Strega in 1957.
- She collaborated with Pier Paolo Pasolini on films, uncredited as assistant director.
- She separated from Moravia in 1961 and had a relationship with Bill Morrow.
- Her last novel Aracoeli was published in 1982; she died on November 25, 1985.
Entities
Artists
- Elsa Morante
- Alberto Moravia
- Umberto Saba
- Attilio Bertolucci
- Pier Paolo Pasolini
- Natalia Ginzburg
- Katherine Mansfield
- William Weaver
- Luchino Visconti
- Bill Morrow
- Federica Caricilli
Institutions
- Garzanti
- Einaudi
- Corriere dei Piccoli
- Il Meridiano di Roma
- Oggi
- Premio Strega
- Artspecialday
- MIfacciodiCultura
Locations
- Rome
- Italy
- Testaccio
- Fondi
- Latina
- Procida
- America