About
Ignazio Silone, pseudonym of Secondino Tranquilli, was an Italian writer born in 1900 in Abruzzo. A founding member of the Italian Communist Party in 1921, he broke with Stalinism and was expelled in 1931. Forced into exile in Switzerland from 1930 to 1944, he wrote his major works there, including Fontamara (1930), which became a symbol of anti-fascist resistance. His novel Bread and Wine (1937) is considered his masterpiece. After the war, he continued his literary and journalistic career, receiving several awards. His reputation was tarnished after his death by the revelation of his role as an informant for the fascist police in the 1920s.
* 1900-05-01 — † 1978-08-22
Major works
- Fontamara (1930)novel
- Pane e vino (1937)novel
- Il seme sotto la neve (1940)novel
- La scuola dei dittatori (1938)satirical essay
- L'avventura di un povero cristiano (1968)play
Key milestones
- 1921Founding member of the Italian Communist Party.
- 1930Exiled to Switzerland, where he wrote his major works.
- 1969Awarded the Jerusalem Prize for the Freedom of the Individual in Society.
Themes
Anti-fascismSocial justicePeasant lifeExileFaith and institution
Sources: britannica.com · oxfordreference.com