The Modern Novel

Biography

Gianna Manzini was born in Pistoia in 1896. She earned a degree in literature in Florence, after her father, the anarchist Giuseppe Manzini, was exiled by Mussolini and then died in prison in 1925. She then became very much involved in cultural activities in Florence, including involvement in the influential magazine Solaria. She published her first novel in 1928 and was awarded a prize by the Italian Academy which she turned down. After her first marriage to Bruno Fallaci (uncle of Oriana Fallaci), a journalist, ended in 1933, she moved to Rome. There she had a close professional and personal relationship with the critic Enrico Falqui. She continued to publish novels, stories and essays throughout her life, dying in 1974. She was never recognised outside Italy and, even in Italy, she never received the recognition she deserved. Most of her books are out of print in Italy. Three of her novels have been translated into English.

Links

Gianna Manzini
Gianna Manzini (in Italian)
Gianna Manzini (in Italian)