
Produced by Carlo Traverso, Claudio Paganelli and the
GIULIO. - DAMIANO - STORIA D'UNA POVERA FAMIGLIA
MILANO - BORRONI E SCOTTI - TIPOGRAFI-LIBRAI E FONDITORI DI CARATTERI
FINE. - ERRORI CORREZIONI - TOMO PRIMO
A quiet Milan of the 1830s unfolds beneath the glow of the setting sun, its narrow streets and tangled gardens alive with the murmurs of ordinary folk. From the solitary road of Quadronno, the narrator watches a modest procession slip through mist‑softened alleys, the candle‑lit faces of neighbors reflecting a shared devotion. The scene is painted with vivid details—a distant Duomo silhouette, the gentle rush of a greenish canal, and the lingering scent of winter hearths—creating a world where every small gesture feels weighty.
At the heart of this world is Damiano, the son of a once‑proud Napoleonic soldier now reduced to poverty. Through his eyes we glimpse the daily grind of a family clinging to dignity, their hopes tangled with the harsh realities of post‑war Milan. The narrative captures his restless yearning for a brighter future while grounding his story in the intimate rhythms of domestic life, promising a poignant exploration of resilience and quiet courage.
Language
it
Duration
~13 hours (768K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
Apr 26, 2008
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1812–1884
A leading voice of 19th-century Italian literature, he paired popular storytelling with a life deeply involved in journalism, politics, and the patriotic struggles of his time. His novels helped bring historical fiction and domestic realism to a wide readership.
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