How to Pronounce Edmondo De Amicis

Meaning and Context

Edmondo De Amicis, born on October 21, 1846, in Oneglia, was a pivotal 19th-century Italian novelist, journalist, and short story writer whose literary legacy is indelibly defined by his 1886 children's classic, Cuore (translated as Heart or An Italian Schoolboy's Journal). This seminal work of Italian literature, structured as a scholastic diary over a school year, masterfully wove together tales of civic duty, moral education, and national unity during the formative post-Risorgimento period, making it a cornerstone of Italian children's literature and a profound tool for patriotic pedagogy. Beyond Cuore, De Amicis was also a prolific travel writer, producing insightful works like Spagna and Olanda that captured the spirit and customs of European nations, further cementing his status as a central figure in Italian literary culture whose themes of empathy and social cohesion continue to resonate with readers and scholars of Italian classics.

Common Mistakes and Alternative Spellings

The primary spelling of the author's name is the Italian Edmondo De Amicis. A common variation, particularly in older English translations or bibliographic records, is Edmondo de Amicis, with a lowercase 'd' in 'de'. This reflects the treatment of the preposition in surnames. The most frequent misspelling or typographical error involves the first name, often written incorrectly as Edoardo (a different Italian name) or Edmond. The surname is also sometimes misspelled as DeAmicis (without a space) or De Amici (dropping the final 's'). When referencing his most famous work, the Italian title Cuore is standard, but the English translations Heart or An Italian Schoolboy's Journal are also correct and widely used.

Example Sentences

For generations of Italian students, reading Edmondo De Amicis's Cuore has been a rite of passage, imparting lessons on integrity and compassion.

The poignant short story "Dagli Appennini alle Ande" ("From the Apennines to the Andes"), a narrative within Cuore, remains one of De Amicis's most celebrated and emotionally powerful tales.

Literary critics often analyze how De Amicis's travel writings, such as his impressions of Morocco, informed his humanistic perspective later expressed in his fiction.

While Cuore is his magnum opus, a complete appreciation of Edmondo De Amicis requires exploring his insightful journalism and cosmopolitan travelogues.

The moral universe depicted by De Amicis, though sometimes viewed as didactic by modern standards, offers an invaluable window into the social ideals of unified Italy.

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