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Nadia Terranova

ナディア・テッラノーヴァ

Nadia Terranova

Profile

Gender
Female
Born
1978-01-01 （Messina, Italy）
Nationality
Italy
Languages
Italian
Residence History
Messina (birthplace) → Rome (moved in 2003)

Career

Occupations
Writer, Children's author, Essayist, Radio writer
Active Years
2003-

Education

University of Messina
Faculty of Philosophy / Philosophy
Degree: 学士
Country: Italy
Graduated in philosophy
University of Catania
Doctoral program (History) / Modern History
Degree: 博士
Country: Italy
Doctorate in modern history

Awards

Bagutta Prize (best first work)
Work: Gli anni al contrario
Category: 最優秀処女作
Organization: Bagutta Prize committee
Result: 受賞
Premio Brancati
Work: Gli anni al contrario
Organization: Premio Brancati organization
Result: 受賞
Martoglio Prize
Work: Addio fantasmi
Organization: Martoglio Prize organization
Result: 受賞
Alassio Centolibri Prize
Work: Addio fantasmi
Organization: Alassio Centolibri organization
Result: 受賞
Strega Prize
2019
Work: Addio fantasmi
Organization: Strega Prize committee
Result: 最終候補（ファイナリスト）

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Gli anni al contrario

2015 Novel

Debut novel about memory and family history, a lyrical narrative where past and present intertwine.

memoryfamilypast and present

Addio fantasmi

2018 Novel

A personal story addressing childhood loss and trauma; critically acclaimed and shortlisted/awarded for several prizes.

childhoodlosstrauma
Translations
  • Farewell, Ghosts (English translation)

Trema la notte

2022 Novel

A novel exploring anxieties of the night and unstable human relationships. English translation published/planned.

anxietyrelationshipsnight
Translations
  • The Night Trembles (English translation)

Quello che so di te

2025 Novel

A 2025 novel; limited information available.

Come una storia d’amore

2020 Short story collection

Collection of short stories exploring human relationships and subtle emotions.

relationshipsemotional subtleties

Caravaggio e la ragazza

2021 Graphic novel

A graphic novel illustrated by Lelio Bonaccorso, based on Caravaggio's story.

art historybiographylight and shadow
Adaptations
  • [Graphic novel] Caravaggio e la ragazza (2021)

Bibliography

  • Gli anni al contrario, Turin: Einaudi, 2015
  • Addio fantasmi, Turin: Einaudi, 2018
  • Trema la notte, Turin: Einaudi, 2022
  • Quello che so di te, Milan: Guanda, 2025
  • Come una storia d’amore (short stories), Rome: Perrone, 2020
  • Caro diario ti scrivo... (children's), Sonda, 2011 (co-authored)
  • Bruno. Il bambino che imparò a volare, Orecchio acerbo, 2012
  • Various other children's books and non-fiction works (2011–2022)

Adaptations

  • Caravaggio e la ragazza (graphic novel)

Translations by Author

  • Le Mille e una Notte recounted by Nadia Terranova (retelling)

Translations of Works

  • Addio fantasmi → Farewell, Ghosts (English translation: Ann Goldstein, Seven Stories Press, 2022)
  • Trema la notte → The Night Trembles (English translation: Ann Goldstein, Seven Stories Press, 2025)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
lyrical and introspective styleassembly of fragmented memoriesautobiographical/private-experience based depiction
Recurring Motifs
memorychildhoodghosts/absencefamily ties and loss

Legacy

Terranova is regarded as a notable contemporary Italian writer focusing on memory and family. Her debut and subsequent works have earned critical acclaim and several awards and nominations in Italy.

Trivia

  • Born in Messina in 1978.
  • Moved to Rome in 2003 and began her writing career.
  • Finalist for the 2019 Strega Prize with 'Addio fantasmi'.
  • Served on the jury of the 'Horizons' section at the 2021 Venice International Film Festival.