Vittorio Imbriani
La novellaja fiorentina
Fiabe e novelline stenografate in Firenze dal dettato popolare
"La Novellaja Fiorentina" by Vittorio Imbriani is a collection of folk tales written in the late 19th century. The work presents a compilation of traditional Florentine tales, predominantly drawn from popular oral storytelling, and aims to preserve and present these narratives in their original vernacular. The collection is likely centered around the themes of morality and human experiences, featuring characters who navigate challenges typically associated with the genre, such as encounters with ogres and other whimsical elements of folklore." The opening of "La Novellaja Fiorentina" introduces readers to a classic fairy tale structure, beginning with the story of a poor couple who send their daughters to gather cabbage from the garden of an ogre. The curious daughters encounter the ogre, who ensnares them with promises of treasures, but ultimately, two of the daughters meet tragic fates as they fall victim to the ogre's wrath. The youngest daughter, however, manages to outsmart the ogre, rescuing her sisters and confronting the ogre's dark secret that leads to his demise. This segment sets the stage for the book's exploration of traditional themes found in fairy tales, like bravery, cleverness, and the struggle between good and evil, encapsulated within a distinctly Florentine cultural context.