Exploring ambition, family dynamics, and the illusions we create in Ginzburg’s captivating narrative.
The novel ‘Sagittarius’, originally published in Italian in 1975 as ‘Sagittario’, was translated into English by Avril Bardoni and released in 1987. It presents a compelling exploration of familial relationships, societal expectations, and the intricate web of lies we often tell ourselves. The story unfolds through the perspective of a younger daughter, who recounts her mother’s relentless ambition and the eventual downfall of their family.
At the heart of the narrative is the mother, a matriarch driven by a desire for wealth and social standing. She presides over a mismatched family, which includes her older daughter, a financially struggling son-in-law, an 11-year-old niece, a poodle puppy, and a maid. The younger daughter chooses to distance herself from the family home, opting instead for a flat shared with a friend, where she earns a living through magazine editing and private tuition.
The mother, despite having some financial security through property and stocks, grapples with a persistent yearning for status. Her daughters, however, do not meet her lofty expectations in terms of finding suitable partners. The younger daughter is engrossed in her books, while the elder, Guilia, despite her beauty, lacks intellectual depth. Guilia’s choice of a middle-aged doctor, described as a “Communist, Jewish, and a stateless person,” sends the mother into a spiral of distress, revealing her hypocrisy as she struggles with her previous proclamations of acceptance towards marginalized groups.
Bored with her life in a small town, the mother relocates her family to a modest home in a city suburb, seeking opportunities for business. However, her plans for a profitable venture are thwarted by her daughters’ unsatisfactory marriages and her own loneliness. During a visit to a salon, she meets Priscilla Fontana, or Scilla, a fashion designer who becomes a close companion. They decide to open an art gallery, a venture that reflects their shared aspirations in a culturally starved city.
The partnership between the two women is fraught with financial difficulties, yet they remain undeterred in their pursuit of success. Scilla’s promises of support from wealthy acquaintances fuel the mother’s hopes, even as she begins to notice inconsistencies in Scilla’s claims. The younger daughter’s envy towards Scilla’s daughter, Barbara, further complicates the dynamics as the mother reflects on her own daughters’ perceived shortcomings.
As the narrative progresses, the mother’s growing realization of Scilla’s manipulations leads to a climax that, while predictable, remains impactful. Ginzburg’s writing captivates readers, drawing them into the mother’s struggles and the painful truths she faces. The author’s keen observations and vivid descriptions bring the story to life, while Bardoni’s translation captures the nuances of Ginzburg’s characters and their aspirations.
Ultimately, ‘Sagittarius’ serves as a profound examination of ambition, societal pressures, and the lies we choose to believe. By allowing the daughter to narrate her mother’s story, Ginzburg creates a layered perspective that highlights the mother’s stubbornness and ambition, while also revealing the tragic consequences of her desires. This narrative invites readers to reflect on the complexities of human nature and the often-deceptive facade we maintain in pursuit of happiness and fulfillment.
