description Agostino Overview
"Agostino" is a short Italian bildungsroman written by Alberto Moravia, first published in 1944. The narrative centers on a thirteen-year-old boy from a wealthy bourgeois family whose innocent worldview is shattered during a summer holiday on the Adriatic coast. Through a series of encounters with older teenagers and the sudden realization of his mother's sexuality, the protagonist undergoes a painful loss of innocence and an abrupt initiation into adult societal structures and class distinctions.
insights Ranking position
Agostino ranks #46 of 60 in the Bildungsroman ranking, behind Wilhelm Meister's Journeyman Years, ahead of The Adolescent.
help Agostino FAQ
What is the main theme of Alberto Moravia's *Agostino*?
The 1944 Italian novella explores the painful loss of innocence and the sexual awakening of a thirteen-year-old boy named Agostino. Set on the Italian coast, it focuses heavily on his changing relationship with his mother and his introduction to a harsher, adult world.
Is there a film adaptation of the book *Agostino*?
Yes, the classic coming-of-age novella was adapted into a 1962 Italian film directed by Mauro Bolognini. It later received another notable cinematic adaptation in 2019, directed by Ignazio Rossetto.
Is *Agostino* a long book?
No, it is a very brief read, typically running around 100 to 120 pages depending on the English translation. Its short length makes it a quintessential Italian novella, delivering its psychological themes with sharp, concise prose.
How does *Agostino* compare to Alberto Moravia's other famous works?
Like his more famous novel *The Conformist*, *Agostino* deals heavily with psychological turmoil, bourgeois alienation, and sexual awakening. However, *Agostino* is much shorter and tightly focused entirely on the internal perspective of a child on the cusp of adolescence.
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