Leonardo Sciascia
Leonardo Sciascia
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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Leonardo Sciascia was born on January 8, 1921, in Racalmuto, a small town in the province of Agrigento, Sicily. He is often referred to by his full name or simply as Leonardo.
Birth and Death Dates
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Sciascia's life spanned nearly seven decades, from 1921 until his death on November 24, 1989.
Nationality and Profession(s)
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A Sicilian by birth, Sciascia was an Italian writer, playwright, and journalist. He is considered one of the most important figures in post-war Italian literature.
Early Life and Background
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Growing up in a rural area of Sicily during World War II had a profound impact on Sciascia's life and writing. His experiences shaped his perspective on the world and influenced his work. In 1938, at the age of seventeen, he moved to Palermo to continue his education.
Major Accomplishments
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Sciascia's contributions to Italian literature are numerous and significant:
He was a prolific writer, publishing novels, short stories, plays, and essays throughout his career.
His works often explored themes related to Sicilian culture, history, and the human condition.
Sciascia was also a respected journalist, contributing to various publications in Italy.Notable Works or Actions
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Some of Sciascia's most notable works include:
The Day of the Owl (Il giorno della civetta): A novel that explores the intersection of politics and crime in Sicily.
The Men at the Crossroads (A ciascuno il suo): A play that examines the relationship between power and morality.
To Each His Own: A collection of essays on politics, literature, and culture.
Impact and Legacy
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Sciascia's impact on Italian literature extends beyond his individual works:
He helped to establish Sicilian literature as a distinct genre within Italian literature.
His exploration of the complexities of human nature continues to resonate with readers today.
Sciascia's work has been translated into numerous languages, introducing his unique perspective to global audiences.Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Leonardo Sciascia is widely quoted and remembered for several reasons:
His insightful exploration of the human condition continues to captivate readers.
His writing often challenges societal norms and conventions, sparking important conversations about morality and power.
As a masterful storyteller, Sciascia's works have become integral to Italian literature.
Through his body of work, Leonardo Sciascia has left an enduring legacy that transcends borders and generations.
Quotes by Leonardo Sciascia
Ma le mie certezze, lei questo non lo sa, sono altrettanto corrosive che i suoi dubbi...
There’s a proverb, a maxim, that runs, ‘The dead man is dead; let’s give a hand to the living.’ Now, you say that to a man from the North, and he visualizes the scene of an accident with one dead and one injured man; it’s reasonable to let the dead man be and to set about saving the injured man. But a Sicilian visualizes a murdered man and his murderer, and the living man who’s to be helped is the murderer.
It’s like squeezing tripe: nothing comes out,′ he said, meaning the Colasberna brothers, their partners, the town in general and Sicily as a whole.
A sort of melancholy, and regret, seizes us every time we meet a sophisticated, adulterated idiot. Oh the nice fools of yestertime! Genuine, natural. Like homemade bread.
The best thing on translation was said by Cervantes: translation is the other side of a tapestry.
The truth is at the bottom of a well. You look in a well, and you see the sun or the moon, but if you jump in, there’s no longer the sun or the moon; there’s the truth. Leonardo Sciascia.
La paura gli stava dentro come un cane arrabbiato: guaiva, ansava, sbavava, improvvisamente urlava nel suo sonno; e mordeva, dentro mordeva, nel fegato nel cuore. Di quei morsi al fegato che continuamente bruciavano e dell'improvviso doloroso guizzo del cuore come di un coniglio vivo in bocca al cane, i medici avevano fatto diagnosi, e medicine gli avevano dato da riempire tutto il piano del comò: ma non sapevano niente, i medici, della sua paura.