Primo Levi e gli Stati Uniti: anatomia di un caso editoriale

Primo Levi is widely recognized as one of the most influential authors on a global scale. The 2015 republication of his works by Norton-Liveright, NY underscored his significance beyond Italian and European borders. This ambitious project greatly enhanced the international reception of Levi’s work, setting a new standard for the accessibility of his literature to non-Italian-speaking readers, and encouraging further research within the Italian landscape as well. However, Levi’s recognition in the United States is relatively recent. From the 1960s to the mid-1980s— a period marked by his most significant literary activity in Italy— Levi was largely overlooked in the U.S. This delayed recognition was influenced by editorial and translation choices that were often marked by inaccuracies, as well as the historical and cultural context in which his initial English editions were introduced to the American market. This article examines the pivotal points in the translation and publication journey of Levi’s works in English, comparing features such as translation quality, the treatment of titles and historical-literary references, and the role of paratexts and essays by both the author and the publisher.