Italy is not just a gastronomic or fashion mecca—it’s also a literary powerhouse.
Italy is known for la dolce vita—the sweet or the good life. It’s a phrase that embodies the Italian philosophy of savoring life’s pleasures, from social interactions to culinary traditions. It’s no wonder then why the boot-shaped country is renowned for its exquisite cuisine, impeccable craftsmanship, and profound love for the arts.
La dolce vita is not merely about indulgence but a reflection of a more mindful approach to living. This is why the Italians are experts in enjoying life’s simple pleasures, such as good food, wine, and books.
Speaking of books, while Italy is known for its storied cuisine, vibrant fashion scene, and top-tier craftsmanship, it’s also a literary powerhouse. It boasts the likes of Dante Alighieri, Giovanni Boccaccio, Petrarch, Niccolò Machiavelli, and Umberto Eco, whose works remain relevant through the centuries. But if you think Italian literature is confined to the classics, I’m afraid you’re gravely mistaken.
The POST gathers here eight Italian authors whose works are significant and are highly recommended for readers interested in contemporary Italian literature. This list represents a diverse range of voices and styles offering readers rich narratives that reflect timeless personal and societal themes.
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Elena Ferrante




No list of must-read Italian authors is complete without mention of Elena Ferrante. It’s like a list of best fantasy novels without The Lord of the Rings or best travel books without a single Jan Morris or Pico Iyer entry. The pseudonymous writer is arguably the most internationally recognized contemporary Italian author, known best for her Neapolitan Novels, which has sold over 15 million copies worldwide and inspired a critically-acclaimed HBO series.
The four-book series explores themes of friendship, identity, and the complexities of life in Naples. Ferrante’s writing prowess is on full display in these works, characterized by their emotional depth and vivid portrayal of women’s experiences. Her anonymity also adds to her appeal, making her work even more compelling.
Ferrante is also credited for inspiring a generation of younger female writers, who challenge the country’s male-dominated literary establishment. Since the ascent of Ferrante’s popularity, Italian women have gotten more attention (and respect!), winning prestigious prizes, getting translated, and selling more copies.
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Paolo Giordano




The Turin-born physicist, novelist, and journalist gained worldwide acclaim with his debut novel The Solitude of Prime Numbers. The novel won the Strega Prize in 2008 and has also been adapted into a film directed by Saverio Costanzo, and starring Alba Rohrwacher, Luca Marinelli, and Isabella Rossellini. The 42-year-old’s works often blend personal narrative with scientific concepts, reflecting his background in physics (Yep, the boyish author has a PhD in theoretical particle physics). Giordano’s storytelling is poignant, insightful, and relatable, addressing themes of isolation and our need for human connection.
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Dacia Maraini




Maraini is a prolific author and is considered one of Italy’s foremost intellectuals, whose works often focus on women’s rights and social justice. Born in 1936 in Fiesole, her literary contributions are widely regarded as significant in promoting feminist discourse in Italian literature. Maraini has led a colorful life, which has influenced her works—her family fled fascism in Europe, only to be imprisoned in a camp in Japan during the war. On their return to Italy, they lived in a “very poor and very repressed” Palermo. She has won both the Premio Campiello for La Lunga Vita di Marianna Ucrìa/The Silent Duchess, and the Premio Strega for Buio. Given the immensity of her contributions to literary and academic discourse in her home country, she remains overlooked on the international stage—it’s about time we give her works a try!
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Nicolò Ammaniti




One of Italy’s bestselling authors, the Rome-born writer is famous for his engaging storytelling and relatable protagonists who live lives far-removed from our romanticized notion of la dolce vita. Ammaniti has written six novels and two collections of short stories, most of which have been met with acclaim. His first novel, I’ll Steal You Away, was long listed for The Independent Foreign Fiction Prize. He also won the prestigious Italian Viareggio Literary Prize for Fiction for his bestselling novel I’m Not Scared, which has been translated into 35 languages. His 2006 novel As God Commands, meanwhile, received the Premio Strega Prize in 2007.
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Chiara Gamberale




An emerging voice in Italian literature, she is celebrated for her exploration of modern life’s fragilities. Her novels, such as Una Vita Sottile and La Zona Cieca, delve into psychological themes and the complexities of human emotions through accessible prose. Gamberale’s relatable characters and compelling narratives have garnered her a broad and loyal readership in Italy. Described by the EU-China Literary Festival as a “prodigious talent,” she also works as a TV and radio presenter, writes regular columns for a number of newspapers, and is the creator and artistic director of the Procida Racconta Festival.
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Stefania Auci




The Trapani-born, Palermo-adopted teacher and writer, is best known for the novel The Florios of Sicily, a literary sensation that sold over 1,500,000 copies in Italy alone before being published in over 40 countries. The bestselling novel was adapted into an equally successful series, The Lions of Sicily, that you can stream on Disney+ and Hulu. Auci’s works meld personal stories with rich historical context, while exploring themes of ambition, family dynamics, and the socio-political landscape of 19th-century Italy. Her being a teacher shines through her prose, which is both informative and captivating.
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Melania Mazzucco




The Rome-born writer is recognized for her gripping narratives that often unpack themes of identity, migration, and cultural heritage. She is perhaps best known for her novel Vita, which examines Italian immigration to America, and has won her plaudits, including a New York Times Book Review Editor’s Choice in 2005. Apart from writing award winning novels, she has also written acclaimed plays, and work for both cinema and radio.
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Roberto Saviano





The 45-year-old Italian writer, essayist, journalist, and screenwriter is best known for his non-fiction work Gomorrah, which exposes the inner workings of the Neapolitan mafia. The popular yet controversial book sold more than 10 million copies worldwide, has been translated into more than 50 languages, and inspired an award-winning film and a TV series that ran for five seasons. His intrepid writing has made him a prominent voice against organized crime in Italy, and consequently Italy’s “most ‘hunted’ author.” Per an interview with The Guardian, he has lived in fear for his life since 2006, following publication of his exposé on the criminal gangs.
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