''Giovanni Episcopo'' is an 1891 novel by the Italian writer Gabriele D'Annunzio. It tells the story of a poor Italian clerk who is humiliated by his wife and a dominant co-worker. It was D'Annunzio's second novel. It took inspiration from Russian writers such as

Fyodor Dostoyevsky Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky. () was a Russian novelist, short story writer, essayist and journalist. He is regarded as one of the greatest novelists in both Russian literature, Russian and world literature, and many of his works are consider ...

Publication

The novel was serialised in the journal ''Protonotari'' in three parts from 16 February to 1 March 1891, for which D'Annunzio was paid 1000 lire. It was published in book form the year after. An English translation by Myrta Leonora Jones was published in 1896 as ''Episcopo and Company''. A new translation by

Raymond Rosenthal Raymond B. Rosenthal (December 19, 1914 – July 24, 1995) was an American translator, best known for translating the Italian works of Primo Levi into the English language. He died of lung cancer. He also translated works by Pietro Aretino, Aldo ...

was published in 1988 as part of the volume ''Nocturne and Five Tales of Love and Death''.

Adaptations

The book was the basis for a 1916 film with the same title directed by Mario Gargiulo, starring Achille Vitti, Tina Xeo and Alberto Casanova. It was adapted for film again in 1947 under the title ''

Flesh Will Surrender ''Flesh Will Surrender'' () is a 1947 Italian drama film directed by Alberto Lattuada. It is based on the novel '' Giovanni Episcopo'' by Gabriele D'Annunzio. It was entered into the 1947 Cannes Film Festival. Plot Giovanni Episcopo is a modes ...

'', directed by

Alberto Lattuada Mario Alberto Lattuada (; 13 November 1914 – 3 July 2005) was an Italian film director. Career Lattuada was born in Vaprio d'Adda, the son of composer Felice Lattuada. He was initially interested in literature, becoming, while still a studen ...

and starring

Aldo Fabrizi Aldo Fabrizi (; born Aldo Fabbrizi; 1 November 1905 – 2 April 1990) was an Italian actor, director, screenwriter and comedian, best known for the role of the heroic priest in Roberto Rossellini's ''Rome, Open City'' and as partner of Totò in ...

Yvonne Sanson Yvonne Sanson, born Fotini Sapountzakis (Greek: Φωτεινή ΣαπουντζάκηRoldano Lupi Roldano Squassoni, known professionally as Roldano Lupi (8 February 1909 – 14 August 1989) was an Italian film actor. He appeared in 60 films between 1942 and 1967. He was born in Milan, Italy and died in Rome, Italy. Selected filmography ...

References

{{authority control 1891 Italian novels Italian novels adapted into films Italian-language books Novels by Gabriele D'Annunzio Novels first published in serial form