The Serao, Matilde 1856-1927 creator text utu 2017 monographic en 1 online resource : multiple file formats "The Land of Cockayne: A Novel" by Matilde Serao is a work of fiction written in the late 19th century. The narrative explores the lives of various characters from the lower social strata of Naples, particularly focusing on their aspirations and struggles, centered around themes of fortune and despair, often represented through the lottery. Key figures in the story include Carmela, a seamstress with a wearied yet hopeful demeanor, and other townsfolk who are drawn into the world of gambling, revealing the underlying social tensions and dreams of a better life. The opening of the novel introduces the picturesque but melancholic setting of Naples, where the anticipation of a lottery drawing brings together a diverse group of people, united by their hopes for fortune. Through vivid descriptions, Serao paints a scene of a bustling street and an eager crowd, highlighting characters such as Michele, the shoeblack, and Carmela, who yearns for a small slice of hope amidst her struggles. As the crowd waits, their conversations reveal their intimate relationship with gambling and the lottery, which serves as both an escape from their harsh realities and a source of deep disappointment. The atmosphere shifts dramatically when the lottery drawing commences, eliciting emotional responses from the crowd and culminating in a strong sense of despair as hopes are dashed, setting the tone for the social commentary that unfolds throughout the novel. (This is an automatically generated summary.) Release date is 2017-04-26 Produced by Andrés V. Galia, Charlie Howard, Chris Curnow and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) Original publication data not identified Italy -- Fiction Italian fiction -- Translations into English PQ Original publication data not identified https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/54614 https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/54614 UtSlPG 260607 20260610134247.0 54614