The Malavoglias by Giovanni Verga with translator Allan Cameron
Come along to the Istituto Italiano di Cultura di Edimburgo on 13th November for the Launch of a new translation of Giovanni Verga’s I Malavoglia, published by Glasgow-based Vagabond Voices!
About The Malavoglias by Giovanni Verga with translator Allan Cameron
Launch of a new translation of Giovanni Verga’s I Malavoglia, published by Glasgow-based Vagabond Voices.
Giovanni Verga’s masterful portrayal of a family of Sicilian fishermen in the late nineteenth century, The Malavoglias, is the story of an ancient society in which both egalitarianism and hierarchy coexist, partly because everyone is on the brink of poverty to some extent. It is also a society undergoing irreversible change as the free market encroaches and brings with it not more equality but more hierarchy based on dubious practices which replace an ingrained and functional morality with a moral vacuum. This process has not been completed and the book could be considered a warning to future generations.
Verga’s classic novel is not only an exhaustive depiction of a particular society in a particular time viewed from inside that society, but also an innovative and complex literary tour de force in spite of its deceivingly simple language.
This masterpiece is not well-known in the UK outside some academic circles and the previous translation was in the 1890s not long after the original’s publication, and thus a new translation is long overdue. The translator Allan Cameron will be discussing with Prof Joe Farrell the translation, its difficulties, Verga’s place in Italian literature and of course the novel itself on Thursday, 13 November at 17:30 at the Italian Institute of Culture in Edinburgh.
Allan Cameron has been a translator of Italian fiction and non-fiction since 1993, a published novelist since 2004 and a publisher since 2008. His publishing activities involve novels, translated novels and some poetry. The translations are from a wide range of European languages including Italian (www.vagabondvoices.co.uk).
Joseph Farrell is Professor Emeritus of Italian in the University of Strathclyde. He has also been theatre reviewer, translator and author of several works including a travelogue on Sicily, a biography of Dario Fo and Franca Rame, a monograph on Leonardo Sciascia as well as the biographical study, Robert Louis Stevenson in Samoa.
DOORS OPEN: 5:00 pm
EVENT STARTS: 5:30 pm
Free entry, booking required. Please email us at eventi.iicedimburgo@esteri.it to reserve your space (please include the full names of all guests in your party).
Where possible we will update our listings to notify of cancelled, postponed and rescheduled events, however we STRONGLY ADVISE that you check with the venue/organiser in the first instance for updates.
All information (whether in text or photographs) is supplied in good faith but should not be relied upon as being a statement of representation or fact.GOT AN EVENT TO SHARE? It's free to post your events on What's On Edinburgh, click here to find out more!
Want to be the first to hear about what's happening in Edinburgh? Follow us on Facebook and join the What's On Scotland Group!Sponsored Links
Similar events you might like...
The Cookbook Shop Festive Pop-up
The Cookbook Shop is a new, independent culinary bookshop coming to Edinburgh in 2026. Before we open, we'd like to welcome you to our festive pop-up event at Curioso on Leith Walk.
READ MORE
Novel Ideas
Join host Janis Mackay along with students from her 2025 Novel Writing Course as they read from their works in progress at the Scottish Storytelling Centre on 10th January!
READ MORE
An Evening with Val McDermid
We are absolutely delighted to be hosting Val McDermid's Edinburgh launch of the latest Karen Pirie thriller, Silent Bones. Join us in welcoming the Quine of Crime to the Assembly Roxy!
READ MORE
Showcase: Banned Books
Join us at the Physicians’ Gallery on Wednesday 25th February for this talk on the banning and censoring of scientific books, especially during the 1500s Catholic Inquisition!
READ MORE
Ash Sarkar: In Conversation
Join political commentator Ash Sarkar at Assembly Roxy Edinburgh to discuss her explosive debut Minority Rule, which reveals how the collective power of ordinary people is under attack.
READ MORE
Dungeon Crawler Carl
New York Times bestselling author Matt Dinniman and legendary voice actor Jeff Hays will bring their highly anticipated Dungeon Crawler Carl LIVE TOUR to the EICC on Friday 20th March!
READ MORE
Edinburgh Science Festival: Hamza Yassin’s Adventures in Nature
Hamza Yassin, everyone's favourite wildlife cameraman, returns to the Edinburgh Science Festival to share stories from his adventures!
READ MORE
John Robins - ‘Thirst’ In Conversation
Join critically acclaimed stand-up comedian, Taskmaster champion, and award-winning broadcaster John Robins in conversation about alcohol addiction and the journey to sobriety.
READ MORE
An Evening with David Sedaris
David Sedaris returns to the Usher Hall on Saturday 4th July to read new and unpublished stories, take questions, sign books and meet his audience!
READ MORESponsored Links
Find other events in Edinburgh
Sponsored Links