L'olmo e l'edera

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

22024

Title

L'olmo e l'edera

Language

it

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Set in 19th-century Genoa, this novella explores the intense, tragic passion of Guido Laurenti for the noble and enigmatic Marchesa Bianca. Through a lens of realism and melancholy, the story examines the destructive power of love, the constraints of social duty, and the profound sorrow of unrequited affection against the backdrop of a vibrant yet restrictive Italian society.

Summary up to 500 words

Anton Giulio Barrili's *L'olmo e l'edera* (The Elm and the Ivy) is a poignant tale of unrequited love, social constraint, and ultimate redemption set against the backdrop of 19th-century Genoa. The narrative begins at the Teatro Carlo Felice, where the narrator observes the Marchesa Bianca di Roccanera, a woman of striking beauty and an air of innocent mystery. Her captivating presence draws the attention of Guido Laurenti, a devoted physician and close friend to the Argellani family. Guido is deeply infatuated with the Marchesa, yet he harbors a complex, unspoken affection for her friend, Luisa Argellani. Guido's internal conflict intensifies when Luisa suffers a sudden and mysterious illness. He suspects her despair stems from the Marchesa's indifference, a suspicion confirmed when the Marchesa's friend, the signora Perrotti, reveals that Luisa's condition is linked to her love for Guido, whom she believes has rejected her for the Marchesa. While the Marchesa remains aloof, appearing to reject all suitors to protect her reputation, Guido's devotion grows to the point of self-neglect. Haunted by the fear that his love is futile, he prepares to leave Genoa aboard the steamer *Amerigo Vespucci*, intending to flee the pain of his unrequited feelings forever. However, the story takes a dramatic turn upon Guido's arrival in Florence. There, he discovers that the Marchesa has not abandoned him but has instead chosen to leave Genoa to live a new life, free from the burdens of their past entanglements. In a poignant revelation, she confesses her own deep love for him, explaining that her silence was a necessary sacrifice to protect his dignity and her own reputation. The story concludes with the two lovers reunited, having transcended the obstacles of pride and societal expectation, finding a path to a shared future amidst the splendor of the sea. The novel explores the evolution of love from a primitive instinct to a refined, often painful passion that defines modern existence, emphasizing the power of sacrifice and the resilience of true affection.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Fiction