Pavese, Cesare (1908–1950)

Italian poet, translator, and novelist. Imprisoned for antifascist journalism, he published his poems Lavorare stanca/Hard Labour 1936 on his release. His sensitive translations and critical writings introduced Italian readers to modern English and American writers, notably Joyce and Melville (his translation of Moby-Dick is considered a masterpiece). These writers influenced his fascination with myth, symbol, and archetype. Pavese is at his best in his treatment of the myth of youth and innocence, and his novel La luna e i falò/The Moon and the Bonfires 1950 was translated into many languages. Other novels include Il compagno/The Comrade 1947 and La bella estate/The Beautiful Summer 1949. He committed suicide.