The Child of Pleasure

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

—

Title

The Child of Pleasure

Language

en

Book source

Global Grey

Description max 80 words

Set in the decadent aristocracy of Rome, this atmospheric novel explores destructive desire and the pursuit of beauty. Centered on the sensitive Count Andrea Sperelli, it delves into themes of sensual pleasure, moral conflict, and the tragic consequences of yielding to instinct over duty, capturing the intense emotional and aesthetic experiences of late 19th-century Italy.

Summary up to 500 words

Gabriele D'Annunzio's *The Child of Pleasure* presents a tragic psychological study of Count Andrea Sperelli, a Roman aristocrat whose life is defined by an exquisite, almost religious devotion to beauty. Haunted by the memory of his first love, Elena, who died young, Andrea finds himself torn between his moral duty to remain faithful to her idealized image and his overwhelming physical attraction to Elena's cousin, Maria. The narrative unfolds through Andrea's internal monologues and diary entries, revealing his torment as he oscillates between despair and ecstatic longing. He is drawn to Maria, whose presence offers a tangible, living connection to the idealized Elena, yet he fears that succumbing to this passion will destroy his soul. The novel meticulously details the sensory richness of Roman life—the art, the music, the light, and the decay of the city—using these elements to heighten the protagonist's psychological state. As the plot progresses, Andrea's internal conflict intensifies. He attempts to rationalize his feelings, viewing his potential infidelity as a tragic necessity rather than a moral failing, yet he remains paralyzed by guilt and fear. The arrival of Galeazzo Secinaro, a robust and unscrupulous friend who pursues Elena's other admirer, introduces a crude counterpoint to Andrea's refined sensibilities. Secinaro's audacious conquests highlight Andrea's own paralysis and the destructive nature of his own passions. The climax occurs when Andrea finally yields to his feelings for Maria, only to be plunged into a deeper abyss of despair. The realization that he has betrayed Elena's memory shatters his equilibrium. The narrative concludes with the auctioning of Elena's possessions, a symbolic stripping away of the past that leaves Andrea hollowed out. He is left alone with the remnants of her life, unable to move forward or find peace, embodying the novel's tragic vision of a man destroyed by the very beauty he sought to worship.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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https://www.globalgreyebooks.com/ebooks/gabriele-d-annunzio_child-of-pleasure.epub

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data/epubs/url-0dbaf678cf325e51.epub

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Categories

• Fiction
• Psychological fiction
• Italian literature