Search JTA's historical archive dating back to 1923

Jewish Writer Wins Top Italian Literary Prize

July 9, 1979
See Original Daily Bulletin From This Date
Advertisement

Primo Levi, one of the few Italian Jewish concentration camp survivors, well-known for his novels and his personal account of Nazi horrors in the documentary work, “If This Be a Man, “won one of Italy’s most distinguished literary awards last Thursday, the Premio Strega, for his novel, “La Chiave a Stella.” The work deals with the broad theme of man versus technology and zooms in on the mechanized existence of a factory worker. The title refers to a tool used in the factory production line. This is Levi’s first novel on a non Jewish theme. Levi, who still bears his concentration camp number tattoed on his arm, is, unlike other Italian Jewish writers, very much committed to his Jewish heritage.

Recommended from JTA

Advertisement