History: A Novel

Elsa Morante was an Italian novelist, short story writer, poet, essayist, and children’s book writer, born in Rome. In 1941 she interrupted her university studies and married the writer and film critic Alberto Moravia; the couple fled to southern Italy during World War II. That same year she published her first book, Il Gioco Segreto (The Secret Game), a collection of short stories. Morante was awarded the Viarregio Prize in 1948, the Strega Prize in 1957, and the Prix Médicis in 1984.