Italian writer Salgari Emilio: biography, books

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

Emilio Salgari (1862-1911) is considered one of the key, most famous writers in Italy. The author of more than two hundred short stories and novels in the genre of adventure, he made a significant contribution to the history of world culture. His fascinating writings take pride of place in the treasuries of children's and adult libraries. Writers Gabriel Garcia-Marquez, Umberto Eco, Carlos Fuentes, composers Giacomo Puccini and Pietro Mascagni, as well as the titan of Italian filmmaking Federico Fellini admired the power of his work.

Youth of the future writer. Inspiration. Maritime School

In his youth, Salgari Emilio was incredibly impressed by Thomas Mine-Read, Gustave Aimard and James Fenimore Cooper. Even in those early years, he made a balanced decision that he would become a writer. In addition, in his dreams, the young genius only thought about adventure. Emilio longed to be a strong and confident captain on some ship, so he decided to study at a naval school in Verona. Unfortunately or fortunately for the admirers of his literary talent, the studies turned out to be difficult. Emilio's forces, so after a short time he left the school.

The first literary successes of Salgari. Fame and recognition at home. Myths and legends

In 1883, when he was 21 years old, Salgari Emilio successfully debuted in the literary field. The Milanese magazine La Valigia published the writer's first story. The next step in literary success was the work of the editor in the weekly La Nuova Arena, in Verona. This edition glorified the story "Papuans", which made Salgari Emilio popular among readers. After that, every year five or more of the writer's works were published for public viewing. They made up a whole series of adventures that did not let the reader go until the last page. Salgari's books became famous in the writer's homeland, in Italy. He was compared with Alexandre Dumas, Eugene Xu, Jules Verne. The popularity of Salgari obliged the members of the royal family of Italy to get acquainted with the powerful creative potential of Emilio. The writer was knighted by King Umberto for special merit in 1897.

The name of Salgari Emilio is entangled in legends and myths. For the most part, they arose on the initiative of the author, because he not only did not stop them, but, on the contrary, created more and more new ones. For example, for some time there was an opinion that in his works Salgari told readers about his own experience of adventures and visits to Sudan, Ceylon, India, Africa, Nebraska, as well as travel to both earth's poles.

Poverty and turmoil. Death

Despite the fact that Salgari -the author of many famous works that win the delight of the public to this day, he existed in need and in poverty. His extreme lack of recognition in the financial aspect and the proper assessment of his works played into the hands of unscrupulous publishers who did not miss the chance to cheat the unfortunate.

As a result of such a life, family problems and a hungry existence, in April 1911 in Turin, Emilio Salgari cut his throat and stomach with a razor, taking the Japanese samurai code as an example…

Creativity of a genius. "Secrets of the Black Jungle". Screen adaptation

The works of Emilio Salgari, collected works are decorated with the cycles "Sandokan" and "Black Corsair". They deserve careful consideration.

"Secrets of the Black Jungle" begins the "Sandokan" cycle. The novel was published in early 1887 under a different title ("The Stranglers of the Ganges"), as a supplement to the Italian magazine Il Telegrafo. And already in 1895, the pearl of adventure literature was published by Antonio Donoto, a Genoese publisher. It was released separately in the version known to contemporaries.

In 1991, the mini-series "Secrets of the Black Jungle" was released, which is based on the novel by Salgari. The officer, his family, and the bloodthirsty rajah were watched from screens by many whose childhood was filled with dreams of distant lands.

"Black Corsair". Roman, continued. Screen adaptations

"Black Corsair" (or in the Italian original"Il corsaro negro") was published in 1898. The heyday of piracy, the Caribbean Sea … In the center of the action is Emilio Roccaner, nicknamed the "Black Corsair", he is also called the "Lord of Ventimiglia". His life's work is revenge on Duke Van Gulde, governor of Maracaibo, for the death of his blood brothers. As accomplices, he chooses for himself several glorious pirates of that era. Among his gang are Henry Morgan and François Holone. Rokkanera is not going to stop until revenge is carried out.

Emilio's revenge never ends in several Black Corsair novels:

• "Queen of the Caribbean", published in 1901.

• "Yolanda, daughter of the Black Corsair" - 1905.

• "Son of the Red Corsair" - 1908.

The novel was so popular that it was embodied in cinematography several times. In the 1920s, a series of silent films were released, directed by Vitale Di Stefano. In 1937, Amleto Palermi created a film masterpiece by inviting Ciro Verratti, the champion of Italy in fencing, to play the title role. In 1944, already Spain began to show the story of a vengeful corsair. Chano Urueta directed a worthy film adaptation of Salgari's work. After 32 years, in 1976, Sergio Sollima presented his vision of history to his contemporaries. The series format was introduced in 1999 in Italy by Mondo TV. 26 episodes of the animated series "Black Corsair" delight young viewers.

"Queen of the Caribbean". Short Description

The Queen of the Caribbean (La regina del Caraibi) - continuation of the storyline described in "The Black Corsair". After Van Gould's escape from Gibr altar, the Black Corsair teamed up with the pirates Van Stiller, Carmo and Moko to search for him. In Puerto Principe, he is informed that Van Gould is in Veracruz. He fights the Spanish soldiers besieging him. Yara, a young Indian tries to help the pirates, but the Spaniards still manage to wound the Black Corsair. His ship is attacked by two Spanish frigates. Lucky, he escapes the trap to Veracruz, but does not catch up with Van Gould, who has fled to Florida. Corsair's assistant Morgan goes after him. Van Gould blows up the gunpowder warehouse and dies. The corsair is thrown overboard the ship, with his pirates he roams the swamps. They are caught by the Indians, whose queen is Van Gould's daughter. Having received her forgiveness, Corsair marries her and sails to Europe.

In closing

Emilio Salgari, books by his authorship give an unforgettable world of pirates and beauties, jungles and impossible adventures. So grab a book and go treasure hunting!