The Child of Pleasure

Set against the backdrop of the Italian bourgeoisie, the novel follows Andrea Sperelli, who is consumed by a quest for beauty and pleasure. His life takes a turn when an ex-lover returns, reigniting past emotions and memories of betrayal. After being wounded in a duel, he retreats to a rural village where he meets Maria, a woman who offers hope for love and companionship. This work, a key text in Italian Decadentism, showcases D'Annunzio's transition from poetry to prose, drawing comparisons to Oscar Wilde and Joris-Karl Huysmans.