Summary of The House on Via Gemito
“The House on Via Gemito” is a semi-autobiographical novel by Domenico Starnone, about Federì, a railway worker by day and misunderstood artist by night, living in Naples. The novel is told by his eldest son, who struggles with the legacy of a difficult childhood overshadowed by his father’s relentless bitterness.
Reasons to read The House on Via Gemito
“The House on Via Gemito” is a compelling family narrative set against the backdrop of Naples after the Second World War. The novel was awarded the Premio Strega, Italy’s highest literary award, in 2001. It was also a Washington Post Best Book of the Year and a New York Times Editor’s Choice. While various journalists and academics speculate that Domenico Starnone might be the writer behind the pseudonym Elena Ferrante, Starnone has denied this. “The House on Via Gemito” is often regarded as his masterpiece.
Setting: Naples (Italy)
Original title: Via Gemito
Year of publication: 2000
Nr of pages: 480
