Sicilian Stories

With his novels, short stories, and plays, Giovanni Verga (1840-1922) achieved renown in the Italian verismo (realist) school of writing. This outstanding selection of 12 short stories -- most from the Sicilian writer's Vita dei campi (Rural Life) and Novelle rusticane (Rustic Stories) -- attests to his storytelling skills.

Selections include "Nedda," a short story that initiated Verga's naturalistic depictions of Sicilian peasant life; the much-celebrated "Cavalleria Rusticana" (Rustic Chivalry), a tale of flirtation, jealousy, and a deadly duel; and "L'amante di Gramigna" (Gramigna's Mistress), a fascinating psychological study. The collection also features "Reverie," "Jeli the Herdsman," "Nasty Redhead," "The She-Wolf," "Pestilential Air," "Possessions," "The History of St. Joseph's Donkey," "Dark Bread," and "Liberty."

For this dual-language book, the editor has provided excellent new English translations on pages facing the original Italian text, as well as an informative Introduction and notes.