Giovanni Francesco Straparola

Giovanni Francesco Straparola was an Italian writer from the 16th century, best known for his collection of stories called "The Facetious Nights" (Le Piacevoli Notti). This work is one of the earliest examples of European storytelling that features fairy tales, fables, and humorous anecdotes, influencing later authors like the Brothers Grimm and Charles Perrault. Straparola's storytelling combined oral tradition with written craft, contributing significantly to the development of European fairy tale literature. His work reflects a blend of entertainment, moral lessons, and cultural themes of Renaissance Italy.