Agostino - by Alberto Moravia

Agostino, by Italian novelist Alberto Moravia, is a compact, psychologically intense coming-of-age novel exploring adolescence, class, and sexual awakening. Written during World War II and first published by Documento in Rome after initial censorship by Fascist authorities, it established Moravia as a leading voice in Italian neorealism. Set on the Tuscan coast, the story follows a 13-year-old boy’s loss of innocence, reflecting Moravia’s recurring themes of existential alienation and societal critique. Translated into English by Beryl de Zoete and later by Michael F. Moore, it remains a significant work in modern Italian literature.The novel centers on Agostino, a privileged boy vacationing with his widowed mother, a glamorous woman he idealizes. Their idyllic summer is disrupted when his mother begins a flirtation with a younger man, stirring Agostino’s jealousy and confusion. This emotional betrayal marks the start of his disillusionment, as he grapples with her sexuality and his own emerging desires. Seeking escape, Agostino falls in with a group of rough, working-class boys led by the menacing Tortima, a boatman. Their crude behavior and exposure to adult themes—like prostitution and violence—shock Agostino, forcing him to confront the harsh realities of class divides and human nature.