Gabriale D'Annunzio in France : a study in cultural relations

Professor Gullace explores thoroughly for the first time Gabriele D'Annunzio's extraordinary literary fortune in France and his personal relations with his "seconda patria." The book traces an image of D'Annunzio-the writer and the man of action as seen and judged by the French.

Through a discussion of the French critical and public reactions to the writer's novels, plays, and poetry, Professor Gullace considers the cultural trends of the time, the problems of translating D'Annunzio's florid style into French, the works the Italian author wrote directly in French, and the reasons for his theatrical successes and failures on the Parisian stage.

In the Introduction the author states, "Gabriele D'Annunzio was perhaps the only modern Italian writer to find in France immediate and widespread acceptance." In fact, the French reaction to the writer's novels was so enthusiastic that it astounded his own compatriots and led some French critics to see him as the standard-bearer of a "Latin ren aissance." The response to his plays was not so overwhelming, however, and his poetry was only slightly known. Professor Gullace evaluates these various critical and popular reactions to establish D'Annunzio's genius in perspective.

D'Annunzio was popular in France not only for his writings, but also for his loyal friendship for the French nation and his admiration for French culture. The writer's personal relations with France over a period of several decades are de scribed chronologically and with significant details. His role in behalf of France at the outbreak of the First World War and his support of Italy's entry into the conflict on the side of the Allies strength ened his ties with France; his unsuspected bravery in war further captivated the French. Misunder standings arising after the war between the soldier writer and France caused a temporary strain in the cordial relations, without, however, lessening his devotion for his adopted land."