Knight-errant

In sun‑splashed Naples, a young lawyer named Carlo Poerio Donati receives his official license, a simple copper‑plate card that marks his entry into adulthood. Alongside his German‑born friend Enrico Ritter, whose dry wit and melancholy contrast Carlo’s uncontainable optimism, the two wander the bustling streets toward the Piazza del Plebiscito. Their banter, rich with cultural quirks, sets a lively stage for a story that blends romance, rivalry, and the search for purpose.

Carlo’s radiant good looks and humble demeanor quickly earn him the admiration of strangers, while Enrico’s stern, light‑gray eyes hint at deeper insecurities beneath his polished exterior. As the friends navigate the city’s cafés, markets, and legal circles, they encounter the vibrant women, familial expectations, and political undercurrents that will shape their destinies. The novel invites listeners into a richly textured portrait of 19th‑century Italy, where youthful ambition meets the bittersweet reality of love and duty.