AustLit

Nievo was born to a middle-class family in Milan, and educated at Rome University. He worked as a marine biologist, then moved into film. He collaborated on the films Mondo Cane and Africa Addio, before directing his own films, including the controversial Mal d'Africa (1968).

Working as a journalist and documentary film-maker, Nievo travelled widely in many countries, including Australia and the Antarctic. In 1975, his first novel, Il Prato in Fondo al Mare (published 1974), was awarded the Campiello prize. In 1987, Le Isole del Paradiso, a novel partly set in Australia, was awarded the Strega prize. Several other works (novels, short stories and poems) followed.

As well as a writer, Nievo was a campaigner on environmental issues, and a co-founder of the Italian branch of the World Wildlife Fund. He also established the Fondazione Ippolito Nievo, to administer a literary parks scheme.

Only Nievo's works with Australian content are listed here.