Esta serie de novelas se sumerge en la atmósfera decadente de finales del siglo XIX y principios del XX, explorando el vacío de la sociedad aristocrática y la crisis de sus valores. Las narrativas se centran en estetas y artistas refinados que se esfuerzan por vivir sus vidas como obras de arte en medio de la decadencia de su mundo. Espere intrincadas relaciones amorosas, una estéril búsqueda del placer y el choque con la emergente sociedad de masas. Ofrece una visión cautivadora de la desintegración de los ideales de belleza y el auge de la modernidad impulsada por el beneficio.
Like Oscar Wilde's Dorian Gray, Andrea Sperelli lives his life as a work of art, seeking beauty and flouting the rules of morality and social interaction along the way. In his aristocratic circles in Rome, he is a serial seducer. But there are two women who command his special regard: the young widow Elena, and the pure, virgin-like Maria.
The author highlights the exceptional natural talents of three prominent nineteenth-century writers: D'Annunzio, Kipling, and Tolstoy. Each of these literary figures is noted for their unique contributions to literature, showcasing a range of styles and themes that have left a lasting impact on the literary world. The discussion emphasizes their artistic abilities and the significance of their works in shaping literary traditions.
Exploring themes of beauty and despair, the novel follows Giorgio Aurispa after he witnesses a suicide, prompting his return to his family's estate. Confronted by his father's moral decay and the weight of familial responsibilities, Giorgio grapples with his past and his relationship with Ippolita. Set against the backdrop of the Italian bourgeoisie, the story delves into his struggle to reclaim a sense of beauty amidst gloom and paranoia. This work is a significant text in Italian Decadentism, echoing influences from Nietzsche and Pater.