Paolo Cognetti

Paolo Cognetti (born 1978, Milan) is an Italian writer known for short stories and novels often set in mountain environments; his notable work Le otto montagne (The Eight Mountains) won the Premio Strega in 2017.

From the interview: decided to become a writer in '92 after watching Dead Poets Society; influenced by American short story writers (Hemingway, Salinger, Carver, Alice Munro); debuted in the collection La Qualità Dell'Aria for Minimum Fax (2004); lives between the mountains and Milan; has made documentaries, taught writing, worked in an inn that is also a cultural club and planned to cook in a small restaurant; translating poems by Grace Paley; working on collections and stories about mountains and pirates.

A largely admiring interview-style review that presents Paolo Cognetti as a skillful short story writer influenced by American masters and attached to mountain life. It discusses his origins, influences, working methods and forthcoming projects. The reviewer highlights Cognetti's focus on strong characters and his ongoing projects (collections, translations).

For:Readers of literary short stories, contemporary Italian fiction fans, lovers of mountain-themed literature