L’America di Carlo Levi: Tra mito e disincanto (1945–1960)

America is a recurring subject in the works of Carlo Levi, and many of his writings on this country and its culture fall within the tradition of travel literature. Levi's interest in the United States, which can be traced between 1945 and 1960, follows a unique itinerary. Levi constructs a personal American myth long before visiting the country: over the years he develops, revisits, and overcomes this myth. This essay retraces the steps of this journey, attempting to contextualize the evolution of the American theme in Levi's writings, both within the tradition of twentieth century travel literature, and in relation to the reportages that Levi offered from other parts of the world. The goal is to transcend the very definition of travel literature, which is limiting for Levi's writings on American subjects.