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Dino Buzzati | |
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 Buzzati, 1950s | |
| Born | 14 October 1906 (1906-10-14) San Pellegrino di Belluno, Italy |
| Died | 28 January 1972 (1972-01-29) (age 65) Milan, Italy |
| Occupation | Graphic artist, novelist, short story writer, journalist |
| Genre | Novel,short story |
| Notable works | The Tartar Steppe |
Dino Buzzati-Traverso (Italian pronunciation:[ˈdiːnobutˈtsaːti]; 14 October 1906 – 28 January 1972) was an Italian novelist, short story writer, painter and poet, as well as a journalist forCorriere della Sera. His worldwide fame is mostly due to his novelThe Tartar Steppe, although he is also known for his well-received collections of short stories.
Buzzati was born in San Pellegrino,Belluno, in his family's ancestral villa. Buzzati's mother, a veterinarian by profession, wasVenetian and his father, a professor ofinternational law, was from an old Bellunese family. Buzzati was the second of his parents' four children. One of his brothers was the well-known Italian geneticistAdriano Buzzati-Traverso. In 1924, he enrolled in the law faculty of theUniversity of Milan, where his father once taught. As he was completing his studies in law, he was hired, at the age of 22, by the Milanese newspaperCorriere della Sera, where he would remain employed until his death. He began in the editorial department. Later he worked as a reporter, special correspondent, essayist, editor, and art critic. It is often said that his journalistic background informs his writing, lending even the most fantastic tales an aura of realism.
Buzzati himself commented on the connection (as cited byLawrence Venuti):
It seems to me, fantasy should be as close as possible to journalism. The right word is not "banalizing", although in fact a little of this is involved. Rather, I mean that the effectiveness of a fantastic story will depend on its being told in the most simple and practical terms.[1]
DuringWorld War II, Buzzati served in Africa as a journalist attached to theRegia Marina. After the end of the war,Il deserto dei Tartari was published nationwide in Italy and quickly brought critical recognition and fame to the author. He married Almerina Antoniazzi in 1966. He published his last novel,Un amore, concerning love, in that year. In 1972, Buzzati died of cancer after a protracted illness.[2]
Buzzati began writing fiction in 1933. His works of fiction include five novels, theatre and radio plays,librettos, numerous books of short stories, and poetry. His libretti include four for operas byLuciano Chailly, as well as one forLa giacca dannata byGiulio Viozzi.
He wrote a children's book,La famosa invasione degli orsi in Sicilia (translated byFrances Lobb into English asThe Bears' Famous Invasion of Sicily).Lemony Snicket wrote an introduction and reader's companion to a 2005 English edition.
Also an artist, Buzzati combined his artistic and writing exploits into making acomic book based on the myth ofOrpheus,Poem Strip. Commenting on the graphic element, he once explained that "for me, painting and writing are the same thing."[3]
The Tartar Steppe, his most famous novel, tells the story of a military outpost that awaits aTartar invasion. In its sentiment and its conclusions, it has been compared toexistentialist works, notablyAlbert Camus'sThe Myth of Sisyphus.[4]
His writing is sometimes cited asmagical realism orsocial alienation. The fate of the environment and fantasy in the face of unbridled technological progress are recurring themes. He wrote a variety of short stories featuring fantastic animals such as thebogeyman and, his own invention, the colomber (il colombre). HisSessanta racconti collection of sixty stories, which won the Strega Prize in 1958, features elements ofscience fiction,fantasy, andhorror.[5][6]
Compilations in English
In 2019, the Australian singer, songwriter, and guitarist fromLast Dinosaurs Lachlan Caskey, known as Notes From Under Ground, referenced Buzzati on his solo albumPartner by making his name one of the song titles.
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