
E-text prepared by Cathy Smith, Chloe P. H. Lewis, Josephine Paolucci,
ITALIAN POPULAR TALES - BY - THOMAS FREDERICK CRANE, A. M.
To - GIUSEPPE PITRÈ.
PREFACE.
INTRODUCTION.
BIBLIOGRAPHY.
LIST OF STORIES.
ITALIAN POPULAR TALES
CHAPTER I. - FAIRY TALES.
CHAPTER II. - FAIRY TALES CONTINUED.
A lively anthology brings together the whispered legends and lively yarns that have traveled from village hearths across Italy for centuries. The stories range from whimsical nursery rhymes to enchanting fairy adventures and hearty jokes, each preserving the voice of the original tellers while being gently shaped for modern listeners. The collection captures the dramatic flair of Sicilian narratives and the charming simplicity of northern tales, offering a window into the country’s diverse regional character.
Accompanying the tales are concise scholarly notes that link each story to its broader European counterparts, making the volume a useful guide for anyone curious about folk‑lore patterns. Designed for both casual listeners and students of tradition, the anthology balances entertaining storytelling with insightful context, inviting you to explore the timeless humor, wonder, and humanity found in Italy’s popular imagination.
Language
en
Duration
~15 hours (871K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2007-11-26
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1844–1927
A pioneering American folklorist and Cornell scholar, he helped bring Italian popular tales to English-speaking readers. His work opened a window onto medieval literature, romance languages, and the storytelling traditions of Europe.
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