Giuseppe Dessi
Giuseppe Dessi was an influential Italian author born in 1909 in Cagliari, Sardinia. His literary career was deeply rooted in the culture and social dynamics of Sardinia, where he explored the island's evolving landscape following World War II. Dessi's academic background included a degree in arts and philosophy from the University of Pisa, and he held various educational roles, including working for the Italian Ministry of Public Instruction. His writings encompassed a diverse range of genres, including novels, short stories, and plays, with notable works like "Paese d'ombre," recognized as his masterpiece. Dessi's literature reflects on the cultural, social, and economic challenges faced by Sardinia, articulating a nuanced understanding of its relationship with Italy and the broader world. His short story "Isola dell'Angelo" gained further recognition when adapted for television. Dessi's ability to thoughtfully convey the essence of Sardinia without an overtly ethnic lens garnered critical acclaim. He passed away in 1977, leaving behind a legacy of rich literary contributions.
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Subject Terms
Giuseppe Dessi
Fiction Writer
- Born: August 7, 1909
- Birthplace: Cagliari, Sardinia, Italy
- Died: July 6, 1977
Biography
Giuseppe Dessi was born in Cagliari, on the island of Sardinia, Italy, in 1909, and he would earn fame for his novels set on the island of his birth. Dessi’s father was an officer in the Italian army. Young Dessi grew up in his grandfather’s house and studied in his grandfather’s library, where he was exposed to many of the classics as well as philosophy books by thinkers such as Voltaire, Denis Diderot, Edmund Spenser, and Friedrich Nietzsche. Throughout his education he continued his interest in philosophy, and, with the guidance of his teachers, also developed an interest in literature. In 1936, he earned a degree in arts and philosophy from the University of Pisa.
Dessi held several teaching posts and worked as a school superintendent. As an employee of the Italian Ministry of Public Instruction, he managed schools in Sassari, Ravenna, Teramo, and Grosseto from 1941 to 1970. In 1955, he settled in Rome, where he devoted himself to his writing career.
Dessi was primarily interested in the cultural, social, and economic problems of Sardinia and the relationship of Sardinia to Italy and the rest of the world. He wrote of life in the villages and the changes that came to the island with rapid development after World War II. He wrote short stories, plays, autobiographical fiction, historical novels, film scripts and biographical fiction, and many of his works won prizes. One his works, the short story “Isola dell’Angelo,” was adapted for television and broadcast in 1965. Dessi also edited several fiction collections and translated several novels.
Dessi’s Paese d’ombre (1972; The Forests of Norbio, 1975), is considered to be his masterpiece. This work shows his awareness of the modern predicament of Sardinia. Critics admired Dessi’s ability to write about his native Sardinia thoughtfully without succumbing to a consciousness of ethnicity.
During his life, Dessi married two times, and had one son. He died of a heart attack in 1977.