Il Piacere
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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Il piacere (1889) was the debut autobiographical novel by Gabriele d'Annunzio. It was translated into English as The Child of Pleasure by Arthur Symons.
Protagonist is the count Andrea Sperelli, whose motto is «it needs to do his own life as it
makes him a work of art». Andrea is tormented by the memory of a complicated and sensual relationship with the enigmatic Elena Muti, ended by the sudden departure of the woman. After this he plunges in a new series of adventures, until a jealous rival it challenges him to duel. He surrenders to a convalescence «purifier» in the villa of a rich cousin. Here he knows a chaste woman, Maria Ferres. He feigns to have for her a spiritual love, but soon their breaks up as he tries to reproduce the feelings already tried with Elena.
