Title: Expanding Diasporic Identity
Subtitle: A Multi-directional Path to the New Italian Writer
Subject Classification:  Literature and Literary Criticism, Language and Linguistics, Sociology  
BIC Classification: DS, CF, JF
BISAC Classification: LIT004200, LAN009050, SOC026000
Binding: Hardback, Paperback, eBook
Publication date: 29 Jul 2025
ISBN (Hardback): 978-1-83711-382-8
ISBN (eBook): 978-1-83711-383-5
ISBN (Paperback): 978-1-83711-384-2

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Description

This study examines the changing dynamics of the “Italian” writer and how we, as cultural critics, need to re-think our definitions of the new Italian writer. In so doing, we must also re-consider the notion of the geo-cultural zones that we characterize as “Italian.” Namely, how do we categorize that writer who, having left Italy and now living beyond its geo-cartographic boundaries, writes in Italian? Similarly, who is that other writer who, originating from another country that is both culturally and linguistically different from Italy, writes in Italian? Finally, where within these two groups do we position the writer of Italian origin who also lives in another country and, different from the previous two types of writers, composes his/her work in the language of his/her host country?

This seemingly odd triad of writers does not consist of what some may call distinct and disparate categories. I would submit, instead, that they share a closer relationship than some might imagine. First, they are all dialoguing to some degree or another with the sign we know as ‘Italy’. Second, at least two of the groups are “de-riva-tive” of Italy whereas the third, in its own right, is “ar-riva-tive”; the first two leaving, the third arriving, yet the common denominator is still Italy. It remains the central point of commonality.

This unique book provides an important reference resource for students of modern Italian and Italian/American literature, language, and culture. It is the only study of its kind in English.

Biography

Author(s):  Anthony Julian Tamburri is Dean of the John D. Calandra Italian American Institute and Distinguished Professor of European Languages & Literatures.

Reviews

"In this wickedly intelligent work, Tamburri gives his readers a deep, Socratic discussion that will leave them with an evolved understanding of Italian diasporic writing and of the diaspora itself. Tamburri keenly identifies and tracks the hows and whys of the diaspora via its writing and makes the case for expanding our thoughts on what that diaspora truly is. What results is a unifying theory of great usefulness now and moving forward; equally important, it is a sublime read and what is certainly a seminal text for the future. Early chapters examine and rethink identity from various periscoping angles to establish a fresh foundation and later chapters apply the theories found there to diasporic writers and artists: Pietro di Donato, Antonio Monda, Rita Dinale, Joseph Tusiani, Annie Rachele Lanzillotto, Mark Ciabattari, Gi anna Patriarca, Emanuele Pettener, Felix Stefanile and others."
- Christina Marrocco, Writing without borders, June 2026