The Land of Cockayne: A Novel: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition
The Land of Cockayne: A Novel: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.
The Land of Cockayne: A Novel is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Serao, Matilde (1856–1927).
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"The Land of Cockayne: A Novel" by Matilde Serao is a work of fiction written in the late 19th century. The narrative explores the lives of various characters from the lower social strata of Naples, particularly focusing on their aspirations and struggles, centered around themes of fortune and despair, often represented through the lottery. Key figures in the story include Carmela, a seamstress with a wearied yet hopeful demeanor, and other townsfolk who are drawn into the world of gambling, revealing the underlying social tensions and dreams of a better life. The opening of the novel introduces the picturesque but melancholic setting of Naples, where the anticipation of a lottery drawing brings together a diverse group of people, united by their hopes for fortune. Through vivid descriptions, Serao paints a scene of a bustling street and an eager crowd, highlighting characters such as Michele, the shoeblack, and Carmela, who yearns for a small slice of hope amidst her struggles. As the crowd waits, their conversations reveal their intimate relationship with gambling and the lottery, which serves as both an escape from their harsh realities and a source of deep disappointment. The atmosphere shifts dramatically when the lottery drawing commences, eliciting emotional responses from the crowd and culminating in a strong sense of despair as hopes are dashed, setting the tone for the social commentary that unfolds throughout the novel.
Book and edition facts
- Title: The Land of Cockayne: A Novel
- Author credits: Serao, Matilde (1856–1927)
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- Italian fiction -- Translations into English
- Italy -- Fiction
Gutenberg collections
- Category: Novels
Read this edition
View the complete Gutenberg catalogue record. Project Gutenberg identifies this edition as public domain in the United States; that designation does not establish its copyright status in every country.
Source notes
Catalogue metadata is public domain and is supplied through Gutendex, which imports Gutenberg's machine-readable catalogue. The automated synopsis is source-supplied, not an independently verified review. Author dates above describe the credited people; no ebook release date is presented as the book's original publication date.
Sources
More in Books & Authors
Keep reading
