The Conquest of Rome by Matilde Serao

Matilde Serao (1857-1927) is widely regarded as the most successful Italian woman journalist of the nineteenth century. The Conquest of Rome (1885) paints a brilliant portrait of political and social life in contemporary Rome.

An indefatigable worker, Matilde Serao published over forty books, wrote a very popular newspaper column, founded four newspapers, and brought up five children. A great observer of life, her works focus directly on the most pressing problems of a newly-unified Italy; urban poverty, and the North/South divide. Serao's short stories and by-lines appeared in most of the outstanding periodicals of the day.

Contents

The Conquest of Rome (1885)

On the train bringing him to the capital from the deep South, the newly-elected deputy Francesco Sangiorgio dreams of a glittering future in Rome. To his disappointment the Eternal City greets the young man's ambition with indifference, but step by imperceptible step, Sangiorgio makes his mark on his parliamentary colleagues, and establishes a place in high society. But his fate is sealed when he falls under the sway of the enigmatic Angelica Vargas, and the 'conquest of Rome' that was within his grasp seems tantalisingly to slip away.

The readability of this contemporary translation contributed significantly to Serao's growing reputation among the reading public of Victorian England.

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