I ladri della pace

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

25209

Title

I ladri della pace

Language

it

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Set in post-Garibaldi Italy, Arturo Bianchi's 'I ladri della pace' explores the destructive power of love and jealousy through the tragic romance of Alfredo, a sensitive painter, and Violetta. Blending romantic idealism with social satire, this novella critiques the mercenary nature of modern marriage and the psychological toll of unrequited affection, offering a poignant, albeit melancholic, reflection on the human heart's vulnerability.

Summary up to 500 words

Set against the backdrop of the post-Garibaldi era in Cremona, Arturo Bianchi's *I ladri della pace* (The Thieves of Peace) presents a poignant romantic novella that critiques the societal norms of 19th-century Italy. The narrative centers on Alfredo Blandis, a sensitive and artistic painter, and Violetta Giacinto, a wealthy young woman. Their relationship is defined by an intense, spontaneous passion that defies the commercial and ambitious nature of arranged marriages prevalent at the time. Influenced by Romantic poets like Dante and Leopardi, Alfredo views love as a divine force, yet he becomes a victim of his own susceptibility to jealousy and melancholy. The story unfolds through Alfredo's internal turmoil as he navigates the incompatibility between his idealistic, rural conception of love and the pragmatic, contract-based unions favored by the aristocracy and bourgeoisie. As Violetta eventually enters a convent, Alfredo's peace is dismantled, leading to a state of perpetual suspicion and sorrow. The plot follows his return from a journey, his futile attempts to reconcile with Violetta, and the painful revelation that she has married a pharmacist named Galeno. Bianchi uses the tragic arc of Alfredo and Violetta to examine the 'inferma etade' (sick age) of his time, contrasting the purity of spontaneous affection with the 'onerous contracts' of civil marriage driven by avarice. Supporting characters, such as the deceased Balena and the friend Cirillo, provide commentary on the psychological toll of societal expectations versus natural inclination. The novella concludes with the deaths of key figures, including Balena, who succumbs to physical ailment, and Alfredo, who dies of a broken heart. Through this tragedy, the author delivers a social commentary on the destructive power of jealousy and the loss of innocence in a world governed by ambition and materialism, leaving a legacy of artistic passion and enduring social critique.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Classics
• Fiction