The Destinies of Individuals. Teoria del romanzo by Guido Mazzoni

Abstract

Guido Mazzoni’s Teoria del romanzo takes up a new perspective on one of the main genres in Western literature, by interpreting it as an expression of the most typical features of modernity, namely individualism and secularization.
The book advocates an idea of literary criticism as a form of philosophical anthropology, whose primary goal is to transcend specialized knowledge. Despite its breadth and accuracy, Teoria del romanzo is more an essay in nature than a treatise, being characterized by direct critical engagement rather than scientific indifference. Its verdict on the novel is a harsh one that is filled with nihilism.