Zaručnici
The novel "The Betrothed" (*I promessi sposi*) by Alessandro Manzoni is a masterpiece of Italian Romanticism that follows two young people in their struggle for love and justice amidst Spanish rule, the plague, and famine in the 17th century.
The Betrothed (I promessi sposi), a monumental novel by Alessandro Manzoni published in 1827, is considered one of the foundational works of Italian literature and the pinnacle of the European historical novel during the Romantic era. Set in 17th-century Lombardy—a time of harsh Spanish colonial rule—the story follows two humble young villagers, Renzo Tramaglino and Lucia Mondella, whose wedding is brutally thwarted by the schemes and blackmail of a local, arrogant feudal lord, Don Rodrigo. Faced with violence, threats, and injustice, Renzo and Lucia are forced to flee their homeland and part ways. Through their dramatic quest to reunite and find a happy ending, Manzoni masterfully portrays a cross-section of the entire society: from corrupt or fearful clergy and selfish nobles to heroic figures—such as the selfless friar Fra Cristoforo and the noble Nun of Monza—as well as the horrors of devastating wars, economic crisis, and the plague epidemic that ravaged Milan in 1630. More than a mere love story, The Betrothed serves as a profound moral and philosophical study of human suffering, providence, faith, tyranny, and the resistance of the common person. Manzoni’s elevated style, infused with linguistic innovations and humanistic ideals, has left an enduring mark on the cultural identity of modern Italy.
One copy is available
- The cover is missing
- Worn covers
- Traces of patina
