The Blind Contessa's New Machine
The Blind Contessa's New Machine is a historical fiction novel written by Carey Wallace and published by Pamela Dorman Books. The story is based on Pellegrino Turri and his relationship with the countess Carolina Fantoni, which inspired the invention of one of the first typewriters.
Background[edit]
The Blind Contessa's New Machine is a historical fiction novel written by Carey Wallace and published by Viking Press imprint Pamela Dorman Books.[1] The book focuses on the relationship between Carolina Fantoni and Pellegrino Turri in 19th-century Fivizzano, Italy. Shortly before Fantoni's is married to a man named Pietro, she discovers that she is slowly going blind.[2] However, her husband and her family don't believe her; Fantoni's neighbor, Turri, is the only one who does believe her.[3] Turri invents one of the first typewriters so that Fantoni can continue to write letters once her vision has completely faded, which leads to an affair between the two.[4] However, Turri is over a decade older than her and is also married.[1]
The book explores the theme of beauty in the natural world within the context of blindness. As the protagonist goes blind the physical landscape around her fades, but she continues enjoying the beauty of the world through imganination. For instance, reading books with her maid.[5]
The book was translated into Italian by Nicoletta Grill. The title of the translated work is "Le parole perdute".[6] The book was also translates into French with the title "La comtesse et les ombres".[7]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ a b Anderman, Joan (July 14, 2010). "Newly Released Books". The New York Times. Archived from the original on February 11, 2024. Retrieved February 11, 2024.
- ^ "The Blind Contessa's New Machine: A Dreamy, Sensual Fairy Tale". Kirkus Reviews. July 8, 2010. Archived from the original on February 11, 2024. Retrieved February 11, 2024.
- ^ Ginsberg, Debra (July 9, 2010). "Book Review: The Blind Contessa's New Machine". Shelf Awareness. Archived from the original on February 11, 2024. Retrieved February 11, 2024.
- ^ "The Blind Contessa's New Machine". Publishers Weekly. March 29, 2010. Archived from the original on February 11, 2024. Retrieved February 11, 2024.
- ^ Edmonds, Curtis (January 25, 2011). "Review: The Blind Contessa's New Machine". Book Reporter. Archived from the original on February 11, 2024. Retrieved February 11, 2024.
- ^ "Un romanzo d'amore ispirato alla storia della contessa Carolina Fantoni". Il Tirreno (in Italian). GEDI Gruppo Editoriale. August 28, 2010. ISSN 1593-2117. Archived from the original on February 12, 2024. Retrieved February 11, 2024.
- ^ Ber, A. (August 11, 2011). "La machine de la comtesse". L'Avenir (in French). Tecteo. Archived from the original on February 12, 2024. Retrieved February 11, 2024.