Uomini e no

work by Vittorini

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July 14, 2026

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Uomini e no (1945), by Elio Vittorini, is a novel that chronicles his experiences during the Italian Resistance against fascist and Nazi occupation. The title translates to "Men and Non-Men," reflecting the dehumanization inherent in conflict.1

Vittorini, a significant figure in Italian Neorealism, also translated numerous English and American authors into Italian, including Ernest Hemingway and William Faulkner. His work often mirrored Italy's struggles with fascism and the broader social and spiritual crises of the 20th century. Uomini e no is considered one of his other important works alongside novels like Il garofano rosso and Conversazione in Sicilia.12

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Elio Vittorini
…Vittorini’s other important works are Uomini e no (1945; “Men and Non-Men”), an account of his Resistance experiences; the allegorical Marxist novel Il sempione strizza l’occhio al frejus (1947; The Twilight of the Elephant); and another allegory, Le donne di Messina (1949; Women on the Road). Vittorini’s critical writings are…
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…Vittorini’s other important works are Uomini e no (1945; “Men and Non-Men”), an account of his Resistance experiences; the allegorical Marxist novel Il sempione strizza l’occhio al frejus (1947; The Twilight of the Elephant); and another allegory, Le donne di Messina (1949; Women on the Road). Vittorini’s critical writings are…
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