Verso il mistero: Novelle

by Virginia Treves

"Verso il mistero: Novelle" by Virginia Treves is a collection of short stories written in the early 20th century. The narrative centers around Valentina, a passionate and determined young woman who has recently graduated in medicine and is exploring her independence and professional aspirations, while navigating complex family dynamics and a budding romance with the enigmatic engineer Lodovico Arcelli, who is battling a mysterious illness. The opening of the work introduces Valentina as she engages in her studies, focusing on neurology, amid a conversation with her mother urging her to reconsider marrying Lodovico, whom she suspects is mentally unstable. Valentina, fiercely supportive of her love and his intellectual pursuits, counters her mother's fears, believing strongly in both her capability and their love. The narrative swiftly develops to reveal Valentina’s commitment to understanding Lodovico's illness, which manifests in violent episodes, spurring her deep emotional and professional interest in both her husband and the medical challenges he faces. As the story unfolds, it becomes evident that Valentina’s journey is not just about love, but also about addressing the societal constraints surrounding women in medicine.