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Italy -- Fiction Books
Best books
Elizabeth Von Arnim
The Enchanted April
"The Enchanted April" by Elizabeth von Arnim is a novel published in 1922. Four dissimilar women escape their dreary lives in 1920s England for a month-long holiday at a medieval Italian castle. Mrs. Arbuthnot and Mrs. Wilkins struggle with unhappy marriages, Lady Caroline seeks refuge from shallow London society, and elderly Mrs. Fisher clings to her Victorian past. Despite initial tensions, the tranquil Mediterranean setting begins to work its magic on each woman, offering possibilities for transformation and renewal.
Ann Ward Radcliffe
The Mysteries of Udolpho
"The Mysteries of Udolpho" by Ann Radcliffe is a Gothic novel published in 1794. Young Emily St. Aubert endures a cascade of misfortunes after her parents' deaths, finding herself trapped in a sinister Italian castle controlled by the menacing Montoni. Surrounded by mysterious terrors, hidden secrets, and supernatural phenomena, Emily must navigate perilous intrigues while separated from her beloved Valancourt. This archetypal Gothic tale weaves romance, suspense, and dark mysteries through remote castles and haunted landscapes.
Anatole France
The Red Lily — Complete
"The Red Lily — Complete" by Anatole France is a novel published in 1894. It tells the story of a beautiful French countess trapped in a loveless marriage who becomes entangled with two men—first accepting devotion she doesn't fully return, then discovering true passion with a sculptor. When her past liaison surfaces, jealousy threatens to destroy the love she cherishes most. Set against the backdrop of Florence and Paris, this romantic drama explores the complications of love, truth, and forgiveness.
Henry James
The Portrait of a Lady — Volume 1
"The Portrait of a Lady — Volume 1" by Henry James is a novel first published in 1880-81. It follows Isabel Archer, a spirited young American woman who inherits a fortune and travels to Europe seeking independence. There she encounters marriage proposals, complex expatriates, and ultimately makes a choice that leads to entrapment rather than freedom. The novel explores themes of personal liberty, responsibility, and betrayal as Isabel discovers that wealth and marriage have drawn her into a web of manipulation and unhappiness.
Antonio Fogazzaro
The Saint
"The Saint" by Antonio Fogazzaro is a novel published in 1905. The final installment of a trilogy follows Piero Maironi, who has transformed into the ascetic monk Benedetto after abandoning his former life. Living among peasants who regard him as a miracle-working saint, he forms a secret group calling for radical church reform. His journey leads him to Rome, where he works among the poor and eventually meets Pope Pius X to plead for spiritual renewal—confronting the formidable forces of institutional resistance.
Dmitry Sergeyevich Merezhkovsky
The Romance of Leonardo da Vinci, the Forerunner
"The Romance of Leonardo da Vinci, the Forerunner" by Dmitry Sergeyevich Merezhkovsky is a novel first published in 1900. Set during the Renaissance, it follows young artist Giovanni Beltraffio as he studies under the master Leonardo da Vinci, struggling to understand why he cannot match his teacher's genius. Against a backdrop of conflict and tragedy, the novel explores the era's re-emerging humanism and the resurrection of ancient values, contrasting the spirit of Antiquity with medieval darkness.
Henry James
The Portrait of a Lady — Volume 2
"The Portrait of a Lady — Volume 2" by Henry James is a novel first published in 1880-81. This second volume continues the story of spirited Isabel Archer, whose newfound inheritance and European adventures lead her into a disastrous marriage with the egotistical Gilbert Osmond. As Isabel discovers dark secrets about her husband's relationship with Madame Merle and confronts the manipulations that shaped her fate, she must wrestle with questions of freedom, duty, and whether to escape her gilded cage or honor her commitments.
Edith Wharton
The Valley of Decision
"The Valley of Decision" by Edith Wharton is a novel set during the late 19th century, which explores themes of social class, identity, and the struggles faced by those in lower social standings. The story revolves around Odo Valsecca, a young boy with noble ancestry but presently living in poverty. As he navigates the challenges of his upbringing, Odo grapples with his place in a world that often marginalizes him despite his noble lineage. At the start of the novel, the tranquil yet dilapidated chapel serves as a refuge for the sensitive and introspective Odo, who feels a profound kinship with both the suffering saint depicted in the chapel and the harsh circumstances of his life. The opening chapters introduce Odo's early life at the farm of Pontesordo, under the care of his foster mother Filomena, and outline the disdain he faces from the farm's more privileged inhabitants. The narrative follows Odo through a series of poignant experiences, including the sudden news of his father's death, which alters his world and sets him on a path toward his mother and the nobility he longs to reconnect with. As he adjusts to life in the Duke's palace, Odo's realizations about wealth, privilege, and his familial ties deepen, foreshadowing the internal and external conflicts that will shape his journey.
Laurence Sterne
A Sentimental Journey Through France and Italy
"A Sentimental Journey Through France and Italy" by Laurence Sterne is a novel published in 1768. It follows the Reverend Mr. Yorick, a character from Sterne's earlier work, on a picaresque journey through France told from a sentimental perspective. The fragmented narrative explores the connection between sympathy and sexual desire through encounters with monks, shop girls, and fellow travelers. Written in response to declining interest in Tristram Shandy, the novel blends travel writing with emotional intensity, leaving readers to question whether Yorick's extreme feelings are sincere or satirical.
Aldous Huxley
Those barren leaves
"Those Barren Leaves" by Aldous Huxley is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story is set in a small Italian town and revolves around the social dynamics and character interactions at a summer palace, particularly focusing on the protagonist Mary Thriplow and her encounters with various figures, including the charming Calamy. The book explores themes of passion, artistry, and societal pretense. The opening of the novel introduces the picturesque town of Vezza and sets the tone for a gathering at the palace of the Cybo Malaspina. A weary postman reflects on his arduous daily task of delivering letters and telegrams to the eccentric Englishwoman, Mrs. Aldwinkle, who has invited guests to her summer residence. Among them, Miss Thriplow is introduced as a young novelist preparing for the arrival of Mr. Calamy, a handsome man from a privileged background. Their first encounter is marked by a mixture of charm, nervousness, and underlying social aspirations as they navigate their respective roles in a world filled with artifice and longing. The opening sets up a rich exploration of character and societal norms through the lens of casual yet artificial interactions among the guests.
Sibilla Aleramo
Una Donna
"Una Donna" by Sibilla Aleramo is a novel written between 1901 and 1904. One of Italy's first feminist books, it tells the autobiographical story of a woman's journey from childhood to maturity. After her mother's mental breakdown and institutionalization, the protagonist enters an unhappy marriage marked by violence and control. Trapped between her love for her young son and her need for independence, she faces an agonizing choice that will define her future.
Gabriele D'Annunzio
The Triumph of Death
"The Triumph of Death" by Gabriele D'Annunzio is a novel belonging to "The Romances of the Rose" cycle. Set in the Abruzzo region, it follows Giorgio Aurispa, a noble aesthete consumed by obsession with his lover Ippolita. After witnessing a suicide and discovering his family's ruin, Giorgio retreats to the sea with Ippolita. But his growing paranoia and fixation on death lead him toward a desperate and fatal decision on a seaside cliff.
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