Little Novels of Italy

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

20929

Title

Little Novels of Italy

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Set in Renaissance Italy, this collection of novellas explores themes of love, loyalty, and justice through the eyes of distinct characters like the honest washerwoman Vanna, the truth-telling Duchess Molly, and the devoted poet Angioletto. Blending historical intrigue with intimate character studies, the stories offer a vivid glimpse into the social dynamics and moral complexities of the era.

Summary up to 500 words

Maurice Hewlett's *Little Novels of Italy* weaves a collection of interconnected tales set against the vibrant, often treacherous backdrop of Italian city-states like Verona, Nona, and Ferrara. The narrative explores the tension between personal affection and civic duty, the power of truth in a deceptive society, and the enduring strength of human bonds. The first vignette introduces Vanna, a beautiful but impoverished washerwoman in Verona. Despite her charm and the admiration of a grumpy pedlar named Baldassare, she cannot marry because she lacks a dowry. Her story highlights the harsh economic realities of the time, where a woman's worth was often reduced to her financial assets rather than her character or labor. The narrative then shifts to the court of Duke Amilcare of Nona, where his wife, Molly, is renowned for her absolute honesty in a world of political deceit. Her secretary, Grifone, falls deeply in love with her but struggles to maintain his integrity. He faces a profound internal conflict between his devotion to her and his duty to remain honest, ultimately choosing a secret pact of honorable restraint over physical consummation, illustrating the difficulty of maintaining purity in a corrupt environment. The collection culminates in the dramatic trial of Angioletto and his wife Bellaroba in Ferrara. Accused of murdering a captain, the couple faces Duke Borso, who employs a unique test of truth: he orders the women to judge each other, stating that the innocent must condemn the guilty to save themselves. Bellaroba refuses to condemn her husband, while Olimpia, the other prisoner, sacrifices herself to save Bellaroba. Angioletto, a poet, chooses to defend his wife's innocence even at the cost of his own life, ultimately proving his love and loyalty. Through these varied vignettes, Hewlett examines the conflict between personal affection and civic duty, the power of truth in a deceptive society, and the enduring strength of human bonds.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Fiction
• Travel