NOI CREDEVAMO | II EDIZ. 2010 | ANNA BANTI

Anna Banti’s Noi credevamo, first published in 1935 and reissued in later editions such as 2010, is a work of historical fiction that revisits the fervent yet disillusioning ideals of the Italian Risorgimento. Through an intense, introspective narrative, Banti portrays the struggles, sacrifices, and moral conflicts of young revolutionaries who believed in freedom and unity but faced betrayal, defeat, and the weight of history. The novel intertwines personal destiny and collective identity, showing how political ideals shape, elevate, and sometimes destroy individual lives. With its refined psychological insight and historical depth, it anticipates Banti’s later interest in the interplay of memory, art, and history, while offering a critical reflection on national myths.