Perspective

Carlo Levi was a political prisoner during the period covered by Christ Stopped at Eboli . He was a member of the far Left, although not a communist. He appears to have been an anarchist at the time, holding that the nation-state is the cause of major social problems. He is also a man of some culture, a physician, a painter, a pianist, and a writer. His time in Gagliano is lonely, detached and depressing, full of boredom, frustration and anxiety over sickness in the town.

All these facts color the author's perspective. He writes in the first person, occasionally recording what he says to the townspeople. For the most part, though, he operates as a somewhat impartial spectator. In some ways, though, he is not trying to be objective. Economic, social, political, personal and spiritual themes pervade the book and they are often clearly shaped by Carlo's experience...