Tato série románů se ponořuje do dekadentní atmosféry přelomu 19. a 20. století, prozkoumává prázdnotu aristokratické společnosti a krizi jejích hodnot. Děj se soustředí na rafinované estetiky a umělce, kteří se snaží žít své životy jako umělecká díla, zatímco se jejich svět rozpadá. Příběhy jsou plné složitých milostných vztahů, marné honby za potěšením a střetu s nastupující masovou společností. Je to fascinující pohled na rozpad ideálů krásy a vzestup materialismu.
Like Oscar Wilde's Dorian Gray, Andrea Sperelli lives his life as a work of art, seeking beauty and flouting the rules of morality and social interaction along the way. In his aristocratic circles in Rome, he is a serial seducer. But there are two women who command his special regard: the young widow Elena, and the pure, virgin-like Maria.
The author highlights the exceptional natural talents of three prominent nineteenth-century writers: D'Annunzio, Kipling, and Tolstoy. Each of these literary figures is noted for their unique contributions to literature, showcasing a range of styles and themes that have left a lasting impact on the literary world. The discussion emphasizes their artistic abilities and the significance of their works in shaping literary traditions.
Exploring themes of beauty and despair, the novel follows Giorgio Aurispa after he witnesses a suicide, prompting his return to his family's estate. Confronted by his father's moral decay and the weight of familial responsibilities, Giorgio grapples with his past and his relationship with Ippolita. Set against the backdrop of the Italian bourgeoisie, the story delves into his struggle to reclaim a sense of beauty amidst gloom and paranoia. This work is a significant text in Italian Decadentism, echoing influences from Nietzsche and Pater.