This novel series delves into the decadent atmosphere of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, exploring the emptiness of aristocratic society and the crisis of its values. The narratives focus on refined aesthetes and artists striving to live their lives as works of art amidst the decay of their world. Expect intricate love affairs, a sterile pursuit of pleasure, and the clash with the emerging mass society. It offers a compelling look at the disintegration of beauty ideals and the rise of profit-driven modernity.
Like Oscar Wilde's Dorian Gray, Andrea Sperelli lives his life as a work of art, seeking beauty and flouting the rules of morality and social interaction along the way. In his aristocratic circles in Rome, he is a serial seducer. But there are two women who command his special regard: the young widow Elena, and the pure, virgin-like Maria.
This edition of The Intruder offers a faithful reprint of the original 1898 text, preserving its historical integrity and literary style. Readers can explore the themes and narrative as they were intended in the late 19th century, providing a glimpse into the era's storytelling and cultural context.
Set in late 19th-century Italy, the story follows Andrea Sperelli, a young aristocrat captivated by beauty and pleasure. His indulgent lifestyle leads to disillusionment as he grapples with existential questions, particularly through his tumultuous relationship with Elena Muti, who represents his ideals but is engaged to another. The novel delves into themes of beauty, love, and the inevitability of death, featuring D'Annunzio's lush prose that contrasts the allure of art with the darker realities of decay. It's a profound exploration of the human experience.