Il Libro Nero

by Anton Giulio Barrili

"Il Libro Nero" by Anton Giulio Barrili is a novel written in the late 19th century. The story is set in a medieval backdrop and revolves around a castle called Roccamàla, focusing on the lives of its inhabitants, particularly the gallant count Ugo and the mysterious occurrences surrounding him. The narrative hints at themes of superstition, social dynamics, and the exploration of happiness through the perspectives of various characters, such as the falconer mastro Benedicite and the enchanting Romèo. At the start of the novel, we are introduced to the foreboding atmosphere as the sun sets over the castle of Roccamàla, where the characters are preparing for a mysterious visitor. The narrative quickly establishes mastro Benedicite, who is filled with ominous feelings about the count's happiness and the impending arrival of a guest. Despite the boastful and jovial count Ugo's melancholy, the supernatural is hinted at through tales of a devil living in the tower of a former monastery. In his poetic encounters, the youthful Fiordaliso, along with the mysterious Romèo, intertwines tales of love, friendships, and existential inquiries that suggest a deeper probing into the nature of happiness and the supernatural, setting the stage for the unfolding drama within the castle's rocky walls.