The Modern Novel

Biography

Vasco Pratolini was born in Florence in 1913, in the poor quarter of San Frediano, which appeared in many of his novels. His mother died when he was two and he was brought up essentially by his grandparents. After school, he worked as a printer, while studying. He contracted tuberculosis and had to spend two years in a sanatorium. In 1934, he met Elio Vittorini who encouraged him to become involved in the anti-fascist movement. He also became very involved in literary circles in Florence. In 1941 he moved to Rome, where he published his first novel and joined the Resistance. After briefly working as a journalist in Milan, he taught art in Naples till 1951, while continuing to publish novels. He then returned to Rome and had his greatest success with Metello (Metello). He also worked in the neo-realist cinema, writing screenplays both of his own novels and other works. He worked with many of the greats, including Roberto Rossellini and Luchino Visconti. He died in 1991, having produced no further published works since 1966.

Other links

Vasco Pratolini
Vasco Pratolini (in Italian)
Vasco Pratolini (in Italian)
Vasco Pratolini (in Italian)
Vasco Pratolini (1913-1991) (in Italian)