The Manifestos of Aldo Palazzeschi

Palazzeschi is indeed a rare personality; in him a cool detachment does not stop sympathy; he scrutinizes, questions, even challenges convention without ever rejecting it. His outlook on life seems to combine that of a small boy at a circus (and probably one who has sneaked under the canvas) with that of a sage who knows that wisdom begins but does not necessarily stop at melancholy.

—Thomas G. Bergin

Aldo Palazzeschi is surely Italy’s most neglected major twentieth century author . . . he ranks high as a poet and writer of fiction.

—Nicolas J. Perella

I found these translations of a major literary voice of the twentieth century, who has yet to enjoy much fame outside of Italy, to be faithful to the spirit of the originals and most capable in effectively rendering difficult texts. These most welcome translations are accompanied by critical essays by leading Palazzeschi scholars that help orient readers through the Futurist manifestos that lie at the foundation of Palazzeschi’s career as a “tragicomic writer” and capture “the essence of his spiritual outlook” as well as his ambivalent relationship with Futurism throughout his literary career.

—Mark Pietralunga