Improviser (novel)

In September 1833, receiving a state scholarship, Andersen went on a trip to Italy. The impressions of this journey, as well as the influence of the novel Corinne ф l'Italie by Anna de Stael , formed the basis of the novel The Improvisator, which Andersen began to write in the genre of travel essays . The novel was published by Danish publishing house Reitzels Forlag in 1835, and was enthusiastically received by readers; the following year the novel was published in Germany, and in 1838 in France, in 1847 in England ^[1] . Over the years, “Improviser” was the most widely read of all Andersen's works ^[2] .

The novel "Improviser" is Andersen's first work translated into Russian ^[3] . The translation was carried out on the initiative of the famous Russian linguist Professor J. K. Grot by his sister R. K. Grot and was published in the journal Sovremennik in 1844, and was also published in the journal Library for Reading in 1848 ^[4] . In 1845, the novel was criticized by V. G. Belinsky , who noted:

... this novel is not without amusement, although in places it is very boring, as much as the character of the hero, rather miserable, as much as the tedious uniformity of its content in general. The most interesting side of it is Italian nature and Italian morals, outlined not without talent and not without fascination. But how pale and weak these essays are in comparison with the masterful paintings of Italy, breathing deep thought and a mighty life in the novels of Georges Zand! When remembering The Last Aldini, Home Secretary, Mattea, Metella, Uskoks and Consuelle, it somehow becomes a pity for poor Andersen ... <> Maybe even this novel is far from the best work Andersen. In any case, this innocent novel can be read and enjoyed by young girls and boys in their free time from class. The translation of "Improviser" is very good.

- Improviser, or Youth and the dreams of an Italian poet. Novel of Danish writer Andersen ... -Vissarion Belinsky

The novel was included in the most complete publication of Andersen's works in Russian - a five-volume edition by A. and P. Hansen , published in 1895.

The plot of the novel reflects the biography of Andersen himself and the circumstances of his trip to Italy. Descriptions of Italian cities and regions are made in a rich, emotional language ^[5] . The main character of the novel by Antonio is the poet and improviser, alter ego of Andersen himself, of noble ("low") origin, extremely insecure, suffers from an inborn fear of the outside world, lack of male hardness, which is why he does not believe in his undeniable poetic talents. Antonio seeks to love, but is afraid of love, he is afraid of physical attractiveness. When Santa sensual Neapolitan tries to seduce him, Antonio calls her the daughter of Sin and flees in panic. But after a long ordeal, through hard work, overcoming numerous hardships and love failures, Antonio succeeds - marries the beautiful Lara and becomes a landowner in Calabria ^[1] .

• Improviser