The sixteen short stories in this anthology demonstrate the scope of the modern Italian narrative between 1930 and 1960. To this end the collection contains writings by both established writers such as moravia Vittorini Pavese and Pasolini as well as by lesserknown figures such as Santucci and Dav.The anthology aims to provide sixthform and university students of Italian with highquality and stimulating reading material representing a range of styles and themes. The Italian text is accompanied by a comprehensive critical introduction in English and notes to clarify difficult points of language and style and to explain cultural and topographical allusions. An extensive vocabulary supports the reading and suggestions for further reading are offered.