Metahistory, microhistories and mythopoeia in Wu Ming

This article reconsiders features of the historical novel in the light of recent critical debates. Bearing in mind the overarching theme of the hybridization of the historiographic and literary genres, the article examines in detail Wu Ming’s Manituana (Wu Ming 2007a) and Wu Ming 4’s solo novel, Stella del mattino (Wu Ming 4 2008a). In both works the rewriting of historical characters follows a thread of verisimilitude against the backdrop of meticulously reconstructed historical scenarios. By focusing on these two novels, the aim is to underline the convergence of Wu Ming novels, in terms of intention and narrative techniques, with contemporary historiography. In so doing, emphasis is given to passages characterized by the representation of historical violence and passages in which the reader is able to grasp, among the scattered fragments of history, moments of the utopian impetus, thanks to the narration of communal moments of being and everyday life practices.