La volpe di Sparta

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

26171

Title

La volpe di Sparta

Language

it

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Set in turn-of-the-century Milan and Paris, Luciano Zùccoli's 'La volpe di Sparta' follows Count Folco Filippeschi, a nobleman working as a haberdasher's clerk, and his wife Gioconda. The novel explores themes of social climbing, the tension between domestic duty and worldly ambition, and the corrosive nature of jealousy. With a tone blending social satire and psychological drama, it offers a compelling look at the lives of the bourgeoisie and aristocracy navigating the constraints of their era.

Summary up to 500 words

Luciano Zùccoli's *La volpe di Sparta* (The Fox of Sparta) is a psychological drama set against the backdrop of early 20th-century Milan and Paris, exploring the corrosive effects of social ambition and the fragility of domestic happiness. The narrative centers on Count Folco Filippeschi, a man of noble lineage who, due to family circumstances, works as a clerk in a haberdashery. His wife, Gioconda, initially finds contentment in their modest life but becomes increasingly restless, captivated by the allure of high society. The couple travels to Paris, where Gioconda immerses herself in the glittering nightlife, gaining fame and adoration among the elite. Her friend and confidant, Ariberto Puppi, warns her that this lifestyle is unsustainable, predicting that the pursuit of the "great life" will lead to ruin. As Gioconda's social standing rises, her marriage to Folco, a sensitive and somewhat ineffectual man, begins to crack. She becomes infatuated with Nenni Forcioli, a hunter, while Folco struggles with his own inadequacies and the pressure of maintaining his wife's status. Ariberto observes the dynamic, noting that while Folco loves Gioconda, he lacks the authority to control her, famously remarking that "a woman wants a master." The plot thickens when Gioconda's daughter, Lillia, falls ill. During this crisis, Folco discovers a letter from an unknown man, revealing that Gioconda has been meeting him secretly. The discovery shatters Folco's world, exposing the hollowness of the social ambitions Gioconda pursued. The story culminates in a dramatic confrontation where Gioconda, overwhelmed by guilt and fear, abandons her secret rendezvous to care for her sick child, effectively ending the affair but leaving the marriage in a precarious state. The novel concludes with a reflection on the destructive power of ambition and the inevitable collapse of a life built on deception, illustrating how the pursuit of external validation can erode the foundations of a family.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Fiction