The contemporary Italian writer Gianni Celati has published work in many different genres, including critical and philosophical essays, fiction, and travel books. Well known in Italy, Celati is growing in popularity with readers in North America and England. This is the first book-length study in any language of his entire production of the last thirty-five years.

Nonlinear in approach, this book ranges over a broad landscape of critical thought and creative writing. While analyzing Celati's specific contributions, it also offers vivid sketches of the many literary and intellectual...