Modern Italian literature covers the historical period from the second half of the 19th century to the present day. During these years, Italian writers have created a rich literary heritage dealing with important themes such as contemporary Italian society, culture and universal human experience.

The Risorgimento and the war of independence
At the beginning of the 19th century, Italy was governed by several small states and kingdoms. The Risorgimento movement aimed to unite these regions and rebuild the Italian national identity. During this period, the authors created works that dealt with topics such as the Italian struggle for independence and national identity.

Realism and Naturalism
Towards the end of the 19th century, Italian literature was influenced by the movements of Realism and Naturalism. These cultural currents have led to the creation of literary works that narrated the life of lower social classes in great detail.

Futurism
At the beginning of the 20th century, Italian Futurism emerged as a movement that celebrated technology and speed. This movement aimed to merge art and society with the dynamics of the future.

Post-war period
In the post-war period, Italian literature was concentrated on the effects of war and social change. Authors such as Alberto Moravia, Cesare Pavese and Natalia Ginzburg became important in this period.

Contemporary Italian literature
Today Italian literature is still lively. Authors like Elena Ferrante have had a significant international impact, particularly through works such as the ”Quartetto Napoletano”. These authors continue to produce works that focus on contemporary social issues and universal themes.
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