Italian Author Carlo Cassola, 69, Dies

Carlo Cassola, considered a forerunner of the “nouveau Roman” writing style, died here Thursday of complications following a heart attack, his family said. He was 69.

Born in Rome, Cassola was the author of more than 20 books. He was best known for his collection of short stories, “The Felling of the Forest,” and the novel “Bubo’s Girl” which was made into a film starring Claudia Cardinale.

Cassola was viewed by some critics as predating the style of the “new novel.” His writing was stripped of action and loaded with detail as he strived for narrative objectivity. The French literary movement that followed stressed the role of the narrator in shaping the novel.

His large output was acclaimed in Italy, although his novels were sometimes criticized for artificiality. His fame waned during the last 15 years of his life and he dedicated much of his time to peace organizations, such as the League for Italian Disarmament, which he founded.