About the book
A coming of age story that is a classic of gay literature, now in English for the first time
An NYRB Classics Original
Ernesto is a classic of gay literature, a tender and complex tale of sexual awakening by one of Italy’s most admired poets. Ernesto is a sixteen-year-old boy from an educated family who lives with his mother in Trieste. His mother is eager for him to get ahead and has asked a local businessman to give him some workplace experience in his warehouse. One day a workingman makes advances to Ernesto, who responds with willing curiosity. A month of trysts ensues before the boy begins to tire of the relationship, finally escaping it altogether by engineering his own dismissal. And yet his experience has changed him, and as Umberto Saba’s unfinished, autobiographical story breaks off, Ernesto has struck up a new, oddly romantic attachment to a boy his own age.
Editions of Ernesto
- Paperback
- ISBN 9781681370828
- EBook
- ISBN 9781681370835
Read an Excerpt
A coming of age story that is a classic of gay literature, now in English for the first time
An NYRB Classics Original
Ernesto is a classic of gay literature, a tender and complex tale of sexual awakening by one of Italy’s most admired poets. Ernesto is a sixteen-year-old boy from an educated family who lives with his mother in Trieste. His mother is eager for him to get ahead and has asked a local businessman to give him some workplace experience in his warehouse. One day a workingman makes advances to Ernesto, who responds with willing curiosity. A month of trysts ensues before the boy begins to tire of the relationship, finally escaping it altogether by engineering his own dismissal. And yet his experience has changed him, and as Umberto Saba’s unfinished, autobiographical story breaks off, Ernesto has struck up a new, oddly romantic attachment to a boy his own age.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ernesto about?
A coming of age story that is a classic of gay literature, now in English for the first time
An NYRB Classics Original
Ernesto is a classic of gay literature, a tender and complex tale of sexual awakening by one of Italy’s most admired poets. Ernesto is a sixteen-year-old boy from an educated family who lives with his mother in Trieste. His mother is eager for him to get ahead and has asked a local businessman to give him some workplace experience in his warehouse. One day a workingman makes advances to Ernesto, who responds with willing curiosity. A month of trysts ensues before the boy begins to tire of the relationship, finally escaping it altogether by engineering his own dismissal. And yet his experience has changed him, and as Umberto Saba’s unfinished, autobiographical story breaks off, Ernesto has struck up a new, oddly romantic attachment to a boy his own age.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Ernesto?
Fiction > Fiction: literary and general non-genre
Where can I read a sample of Ernesto?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781681370828
Is Ernesto part of a series, and can it be read as a standalone?
Yes it is a part of series NYRB Classics
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Ernesto?
Umberto Saba
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Ernesto is available as paperback(ISBN 9781681370828) and ebook(ISBN 9781681370835)
Where can I buy Ernesto online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Ernesto from below