Heart (novel)

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Cover of Herz, an 1894 German translation.

Heart (Italian: Cuore) is a children's novel by the Italian author Edmondo De Amicis. It is set during the Italian unification, and includes several patriotic themes. It was issued by Treves on October 18, 1886, the first day of school in Italy, and rose to immediate success.

Through its investigation of social issues such as poverty, Heart shows the influence of left-wing ideologies on De Amicis' work (he was later to join the Italian Socialist Party). Because of this, the book remained influential (and the staple of many textbooks) in countries of the Eastern Bloc.

The novel was translated into Chinese in the early 20th century (with the title "愛的教育" – literally "The Education of Love") and became quite well known in East Asia.

[edit] Plot and characters

The novel is written in a diary form as told by Enrico Bottini, a 10-year old primary school student in Italy with an upper class background who is surrounded by classmates of working class origin. The entire chronological setting corresponds to the third-grade season.

Enrico's parents and older siblings sometimes correspond with Enrico through the means of his diary; his teacher assigns him with homework dealing with stories of children throughout the Italian states who should serve as role models – the stories are then given in full, as if written by Enrico. Most stories revolve around moral values, the most prominent of which are helping those in need, love for family and friends, and patriotism.

[edit] Adaptations

One of these stories, "From the Apennines to the Andes," became the basis of the 1976 anime series 3000 Leagues in Search of Mother. The series was compiled into a movie, released in 1980; it was later remade, also as a feature film, released in 1999.

Cuore itself was later adapted in its entirety by Nippon Animation, as the 26-episode series School of Love: Story of Heart (愛の学校クオレ物語, Ai no Gakkō: Cuore Monogatari^?) in 1981. This series was also broadcast on Italian TV as Cuore.