Member-only story

Happiness As Such by Natalia Ginzburg: An Exploration of Love, Loss, and the Search for Meaning

Jamie Bell

·7k Followers· Follow

Published in Happiness As Such Natalia Ginzburg

6 min read

598 View Claps

71 Respond

Save

Listen

Natalia Ginzburg's 1973 novel, Happiness As Such, is a powerful and moving exploration of the complexities of love, loss, and the search for meaning. The novel follows the story of a young woman named Adriana as she navigates the challenges of marriage, motherhood, and her own evolving sense of self.

Happiness, as Such

by Natalia Ginzburg

4.1 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	303 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	178 pages

Ginzburg's writing is both incisive and compassionate, and she creates characters that are both deeply flawed and profoundly human. Adriana is a complex and often contradictory character. She is intelligent, independent, and passionate, but she is also insecure, self-destructive, and prone to fits of jealousy. Her husband, Goffredo, is a kind and loving man, but he is also weak-willed and indecisive. Their marriage is a constant source of both pain and joy, and Adriana is constantly questioning whether or not she is truly happy.

In addition to her exploration of love and marriage, Ginzburg also delves into the themes of loss and grief. Adriana loses both of her parents at a young age, and she is haunted by their deaths throughout her life. She is also forced to confront the loss of her innocence and her dreams as she grows older. Ginzburg's writing on grief is both raw and honest, and she captures the complex emotions that accompany loss.

Ultimately, Happiness As Such is a novel about the search for meaning in life. Adriana is constantly searching for something more than the mundane existence she finds herself in. She wants to find love, passion, and purpose, but she is never quite sure what she is looking for. Ginzburg's novel is a reminder that the search for meaning is a lifelong journey, and that there is no one right answer.

Characters

Adriana is the protagonist of the novel. She is a young woman who is struggling to find her place in the world. She is intelligent, independent, and passionate, but she is also insecure, self-destructive, and prone to fits of jealousy.
Goffredo is Adriana's husband. He is a kind and loving man, but he is also weak-willed and indecisive. Their marriage is a constant source of both pain and joy, and Adriana is constantly questioning whether or not she is truly happy.
Alberto is Adriana's lover. He is a successful businessman who is charming and attractive. Adriana is drawn to his strength and self-confidence, but she is also aware of his flaws.
Elio is Adriana's son. He is a bright and sensitive boy who loves his mother dearly. Adriana is determined to give him a better life than she had, but she is also aware of the challenges he faces growing up in a world that is often hostile to children.

Themes

Love: Ginzburg explores the many different facets of love in Happiness As Such. She writes about the love between husband and wife, the love between parent and child, and the love between friends. She also explores the darker side of love, including jealousy, betrayal, and loss.
Loss: Adriana experiences a great deal of loss in her life. She loses both of her parents at a young age, and she is also forced to confront the loss of her innocence and her dreams as she grows older. Ginzburg's writing on grief is both raw and honest, and she captures the complex emotions that accompany loss.
Meaning: Adriana is constantly searching for something more than the mundane existence she finds herself in. She wants to find love, passion, and purpose, but she is never quite sure what she is looking for. Ginzburg's novel is a reminder that the search for meaning is a lifelong journey, and that there is no one right answer.

Critical Reception

Happiness As Such has been praised by critics for its honesty, insight, and compassion. The novel has been translated into more than 30 languages, and it has won several prestigious awards, including the Strega Prize and the Viareggio Prize.

In a review for The New York Times, Michiko Kakutani wrote, "Ginzburg's writing is both incisive and compassionate, and she creates characters that are both deeply flawed and profoundly human. Happiness As Such is a must-read for anyone interested in the human condition."

In a review for The Guardian, Hermione Lee wrote, "Ginzburg's novel is a masterpiece of understatement. She writes with a quiet authority that is both moving and profound. Happiness As Such is a novel that will stay with you long after you finish it."

Happiness As Such is a powerful and moving novel that explores the complexities of love, loss, and the search for meaning. Ginzburg's writing is both incisive and compassionate, and she creates characters that are both deeply flawed and profoundly human. Happiness As Such is a must-read for anyone interested in the human condition.

Happiness, as Such

by Natalia Ginzburg

4.1 out of 5