Giovanni Verga was an Italian writer and one of the leading figures of the Verismo (Realism) literary movement in Italy. Born in Catania, Sicily, Verga is renowned for his works that portray the harsh realities of life in southern Italy, focusing on the struggles of ordinary people such as peasants, fishermen, and laborers. His unflinching depiction of poverty, social constraints, and fatalism placed him at the forefront of modern Italian narrative, earning him a prominent place in European literature. Verga's literary career began with historical and romantic novels, but he gained critical acclaim when he shifted to realist fiction. His narrative style is marked by objectivity, a documentary tone, and a commitment to presenting life as it is, without embellishment or moral judgment. His most celebrated works include I Malavoglia (1881) and Mastro-don Gesualdo (1889), which form part of a projected but unfinished series called The Cycle of the Defeated. Verga's commitment to a naturalistic representation of life marked a radical departure from the idealism that had characterized much of Italian literature before him. His technique of indirect narration and use of dialect, while sometimes challenging for readers, added authenticity and depth to his stories. Verga became a leading voice in the Verismo movement, paralleling the works of Émile Zola in France and drawing comparisons to other European realists. His writing influenced generations of authors and became essential in the study of regional identity and social critique in literature. Verga's depiction of human suffering, resignation, and the illusion of progress resonates with the universal human condition, earning him a legacy as a master of realist prose.