In the following essay, Lucente offers a critical overview of Verga's work as an Italian realist.

In the following excerpt, part of a speech that was first presented to the Royal Academy of Italy celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of the publication of I Malavoglia in 1931, Pirandello investigates the concept of reality in art and takes issue with the claim that Verga wrote objective, realist fiction.

Lawrence was an English novelist, poet, and essayist noted for his introduction of the themes of modern psychology to English fiction. In his lifetime he was a controversial figure, both for the explicit sexuality he portrayed in his novels and for his unconventional personal life. Much of the criticism of Lawrence's work concerns his highly individualistic moral system, which was based on absolute freedom of expression, particularly sexual expression. In the following excerpt, Lawrence notes Verga&...

In the following essay, Hallock champions "Fantasticheria" as Verga's "statement of transition" from "decadent romanticism" to the verismo school of writing.

In the following essay, Jehenson reads "La Lupa " as a cyclical tale of classic archetypal symbolism, with the She-Wolf acting as the primordial goddess.

In the following excerpt, Cecchetti probes the motivating forces behind Verga's characters. The critic then describes Verga's search for a new, completely impersonal narrative form, which, Cecchetti argues, "helped [Verga to reject worn-out expressive patterns, approach reality more directly, and achieve an often naked but always lyrical prose."]

In the following essay, Cecchetti examines Verga's last collection of stories, Don Candeloro e Compagni, which is often overlooked by critics.

In the following excerpt, Bergin studies the themes, characters, and technique of "Nedda, " demonstrating that it is the first example of Verga's more accomplished, mature style.

In the following excerpt, Ragusa examines the critical dismissal of Verga 's Milanese tales, finding that the lasting reputation of these stories is based largely on the opinions of critic Luigi Russo.

In the review below, Weaver praises the modern qualities of Verga's stories and the author's deft combination of sympathy for and detachment from his characters.