Serao, Matilda (1856–1927)

Italian novelist. Her works describe humble Neapolitan life, as in Il ventre di Napoli 1884, Il paese di cuccagna 1891, and in the short story ‘Trenta per cento’ 1889. Other novels include Fantasia 1886 and Suor Giovanna della Croce 1901.

Serao was born in Patrasso, Greece, the daughter of an Italian political refugee. She was taken to Italy 1860 and lived in Naples 1878–1927, where she established herself as a journalist.