Italo Calvino e Massimo Bontempelli: la politica, la Storia, la letteratura degli "anni difficili"

This article explores the complex intergenerational relationship between the Italian writers Italo Calvino and Massimo Bontempelli, focusing on their differing yet occasionally converging views on politics, history, and literature during Italy’s “anni difficili”—the turbulent years surrounding fascism and its aftermath. Through a nuanced analysis of Calvino’s reflections on Bontempelli, the essay examines how generational identity is shaped not only by chronological distance but also by ideological and aesthetic divergences. While Calvino initially distanced himself from Bontempelli’s magical and abstract literary style, viewing it as politically evasive and incompatible with Marxist realism, he later acknowledged Bontempelli’s influence and embraced aspects of his fantastic imagination. Ultimately, the study argues that despite ideological differences, both authors responded to the historical trauma of fascism with a shared commitment to artistic autonomy and human solidarity, suggesting a deeper, unexpected convergence beneath their apparent divergence.