In the late 19th century, a new approach to writing took hold among Italian authors: depicting a practical and unbiased look at life. Taking root from a naturalist writing style, novelists focused on the characters’ emotions based on real-life situations, regardless of their social standing. Known as verismo (realism) their stories embodied the characters’ reactions within their surrounding circumstances.

A significant contributor to the verismo movement, Luigi Capuana (1839-1915) was a proponent of the short story. In 1902, in the preface of his book, “Delitto Ideale” he wrote, [translated] “short stories seem to reflect best the feverish demand for quickly changing impressions and sensations.” Capuana’s insight may be just as relevant today.