The flame

The Flame (Italian: Il fuoco) is a 1900 novel by the Italian writer Gabriele D'Annunzio. It is set in 1883 Venice and tells the story of a young artist and his mistress, a famous but quickly aging actress. The story was inspired by D'Annunzio's relationship with the actress Eleonora Duse. The novel contains expositions of many of D'Annunzio's theories about drama, largely inspired by Friedrich Nietzsche and Richard Wagner. Considered a central text of Italian Decadentism, the novel has earned comparisons to the work of Oscar Wilde and Joris-Karl Huysmans. 

Venice, a symbol of the Renaissance, is changing. The churches and canals of old remain, but an era of cultural achievement is coming to a close. As the public anticipates the death of legendary composer Richard Wagner, who has taken to his deathbed at the palace of Ca’ Vendramin Calergi, Stelio Effrena dreams of establishing his reputation as one of Italy’s greatest poets. Filled with theories of art and philosophies of life, possessing an undeniable mastery of language, he nevertheless feels uninspired by his muse, the aging actress La Foscarina. Meditative and introspective, The Flame has attracted praise for its portrayal of nineteenth century Venice, a city seemingly lost in time.