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Sardinia (Italy) -- Fiction Books
Best books
Grazia Deledda
Καλαμιές στον άνεμο
"Καλαμιές στον άνεμο" by Grazia Deledda is a novel published in 1913. Set in rural Sardinia, it follows three aging sisters of a once-noble family living in a crumbling house with their devoted servant Efix, who harbors a dark secret about their father's mysterious death. When Giacinto, the son of their disgraced sister who fled years ago, arrives at their doorstep, he stirs conflicting emotions and brings hope for renewal to their fading household.
Grazia Deledda
After the Divorce: A Romance
"After the Divorce: A Romance" by Grazia Deledda is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story centers around Giovanna Era, a young woman embroiled in sorrow after her husband, Costantino, is sentenced to prison for a crime he claims he did not commit. Set against a backdrop of traditional and social pressures, the narrative explores Giovanna's emotional turmoil and societal expectations following her husband's conviction. At the start of the novel, Giovanna is found in desperate grief, lamenting her husband's fate as he faces a potentially long prison term for the murder of his uncle. The opening scene depicts her in a dark room, overwhelmed with despair, while various family members attempt to console her. As the story unfolds, we meet a cast of characters including her supportive but practical mother, Aunt Bachissia, and the opportunistic student Paolo, who hints at the prospect of Giovanna finding freedom through divorce if her husband's sentence is upheld. The narrative captures the complexity of relationships, societal expectations, and the longing for love and justice as it delves into the emotional landscape of the characters.
Grazia Deledda
The Woman & the Priest
"The Woman & the Priest" by Grazia Deledda is a novel written in the early 20th century. Set in a remote Sardinian hill village, the book intricately explores the psychological struggles of its two main characters, Paul, a young priest, and his mother, Maria Maddalena, as they grapple with the pressures of faith and desire. The narrative unfolds over the course of two days, delving into human connections and moral dilemmas while hinting at underlying themes of superstition, personal conflict, and the consequences of transgression. At the start of the story, Paul is shown preparing to sneak out of the presbytery, while his mother anxiously awaits him, sensing his distress. As she grapples with her fear over his increasingly reckless behavior, it becomes apparent that he is drawn to a woman who lives in a nearby house, stirring worries within Maria Maddalena about the potential impact on both their souls. The tension builds as she reminisces about Paul's past innocence and begins to suspect the nature of his visits. The opening sets the stage for a profound exploration of the characters' emotions as they confront the clash between societal expectations and personal desires, ultimately framing a narrative rich with themes of devotion, temptation, and maternal love.
Grazia Deledda
Dopo il divorzio
"Dopo il divorzio" by Grazia Deledda is a novel published in 1902. Costantino Ledda is wrongly convicted of murdering his uncle but accepts his sentence out of love for his wife, Giovanna. Left without support, Giovanna divorces him and marries a wealthy but cruel landowner. When Costantino is freed after the real killer confesses, he and Giovanna begin a forbidden relationship. Set during heated debates over divorce in Italy, the novel explores loyalty, sacrifice, and impossible choices.
Grazia Deledda
The mother
"The Mother" by Grazia Deledda is a novel written in the early 20th century. Set in a remote Sardinian village, it is a stark psychological study of a young priest, Paul, his devoted mother Maria Maddalena, and Agnes, the solitary woman who awakens his forbidden desire. The story probes the clash between human love and religious duty, filtered through superstition, village poverty, and maternal anguish. Its tension is intimate and fateful, unfolding over a brief span with the inevitability of tragedy. The opening of the novel follows a stormy night in which Maria Maddalena realizes Paul is slipping out to a woman’s house and, after failing to intervene, returns home torn between fear, faith, and a vivid, unsettling dream of the parish’s disgraced former priest. Paul, having just agreed to flee with Agnes, is shaken by the wind and his conscience, prays at the church door, then faces his mother; pressed by her quiet firmness, he swears to end the affair. Through a sleepless, tormented night he oscillates between resolve and longing, finally writing a letter to break it off; at dawn he celebrates Mass, chastens his meager flock, and has his mother deliver the note before being summoned to a dying hunter. Interwoven are memories that deepen the stakes: the mother’s recollection of their hopeful arrival in Aar and Paul’s of childhood shame at his mother’s servitude, seminary years, and an earlier encounter with a fallen woman. The section closes with domestic unease, the sacristan boy’s brisk chatter, and a pointed exchange about priestly celibacy, underscoring the moral conflict now set in motion.
Grazia Deledda
Elias Portolu : $b Romaani
"Elias Portolu: Romaani" by Grazia Deledda is a novel published in 1900. When Elias returns home from prison, he finds himself drawn to Maria Maddalena, his brother Pietro's promised bride. Their forbidden love leads to carnal sin, betrayal, and consuming guilt. Seeking escape, Elias turns to the priesthood, but complications arise when Maddalena becomes pregnant. After Pietro's death, Maddalena begs Elias to claim their child, yet he remains determined to take holy orders—a decision with tragic consequences.
Grazia Deledda
Äiti : $b Romaani
"Äiti: Romaani" by Grazia Deledda is a novel written in the late 19th century. The book explores complex themes of motherhood, sacrifice, and moral struggle as the protagonist, Maria Maddalena, grapples with the troubling behavior of her son, Paulo. Central to the narrative is the relationship between mother and son, particularly as Paulo becomes increasingly entwined with a mysterious woman, leading to strife and emotional turmoil within their household. At the start of the story, we meet Maria Maddalena, who is anxiously waiting for her son Paulo, who she suspects is sneaking out at night. As she listens to his stealthy movements, her worry intensifies and she recalls Paulo's recent troubling behaviors, which include spending more time grooming himself and showing interest in women, actions she fears may steer him into sin. When she decides to follow him one night, she discovers that he is heading to a home not far from theirs, one that harbors a young woman who is alone and alluring. The tension of Maria’s protective instincts and Paulo’s desires sets the stage for a conflict that delves deeply into themes of temptation and the frailty of human morality, all while the ominous force of the night serves as a backdrop to their unfolding drama.
Grazia Deledda
Marianna : $b Romaani
"Marianna: Romaani" by Grazia Deledda is a novel written in the early 20th century." The story revolves around Marianna Sirca, who inherits property from her wealthy uncle following his death. As she navigates her new life, she confronts her past and her feelings toward her former servant, Simone Sole, who has transformed from a subservient boy into a complex character with ambitions of his own. The novel explores themes of social status, personal identity, and the consequences of familial ties against the backdrop of Sardinian culture. "The opening of the novel introduces us to Marianna as she recuperates in a cattle farm in the midst of Sardinia's countryside, having taken time away from the stress caused by caring for her ailing uncle." In the lush setting, she begins to regain her strength but is still shadowed by her past and her unique upbringing, where obedience to her guardians has defined her existence. As Marianna reflects on her childhood, the narrative sets the stage for her encounter with Simone, signaling a shift in their dynamic. The opening establishes a rich emotional landscape filled with nostalgia, personal conflicts, and an anticipation of change, as she finds herself back in familiar territory, stirred by memories and new possibilities.
Grazia Deledda
Muratti : $b Romaani
"Muratti: Romaani" by Grazia Deledda is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story unfolds in the village of Barunéin, focusing on the Decherchi family, particularly around themes of familial ties, honor, and the hardships stemming from economic decline, all set against the backdrop of traditional Sardinian life. Key characters introduced include don Simone Decherchi, an aging nobleman, his troubled nephew Paulu, and Annesa, an adopted daughter whose loyalty and love become central to the unfolding drama. The opening of the novel sets the stage on a Saturday evening, coinciding with the festival of Saint Basil, as two old men, don Simone and Cosimu Damianu, engage in conversation about the mysterious disappearance of Paulu, the latter's son. The atmosphere is thick with tension and suspicion, as rumors swirl regarding familial discord and the boy's fate. The scene introduces us to other residents of the household, including the sickly old man Zua and the maid Annesa, hinting at deeper family secrets and the economic decay that threatens their way of life. The dialogue depicts a world filled with superstition and moral struggles, foreshadowing the conflicts that will arise as Paulu navigates his responsibilities and relationships amid their diminishing fortunes.
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