Arthur's Island

Elsa Morante · 1912–1985 · Italy

Originally L'isola di Arturo (Italian)

Why it matters

A boy's idyllic, motherless childhood on a remote Neapolitan island is shattered by his father's new wife and the truths she brings with her. Morante's lyrical coming-of-age novel won Italy's Strega Prize.

At a glance

Lyrical, sun-drenched prose belies a slowly darkening psychological plot.