
L'ABBESSE DE CASTRO
I
II
III
IV
V
VI
«MÈRE TRÈS RESPECTABLE,
VII
Set against the turbulent backdrop of sixteenth‑century Italy, the story opens with a vivid portrait of a land ruled by ruthless city‑state tyrants and haunted by bands of daring brigands. The narrator sketches the tangled web of power, where wealthy oligarchs masquerade as benefactors while feeding fear and intrigue, and where the common folk secretly idolize the outlaws who dare to mock their oppressors. This rich historical canvas introduces a young woman of noble birth, drawn into the world of the brigands after a reckless act forces her into exile.
As she seeks refuge among the forest‑bound rebels, she discovers a hidden convent led by a formidable abbess whose own past intertwines with the era’s political machinations. Their unlikely alliance becomes a study of courage, loyalty, and the clash between personal honor and the vanity that drives the powerful. Listeners are invited to experience the clash of art, intrigue, and raw survival that defines this early chapter of an unforgettable Italian saga.
Language
fr
Duration
~3 hours (207K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
Jan 1, 1997
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1783–1842
A sharp observer of ambition, love, and self-deception, Stendhal brought unusual psychological depth to the nineteenth-century novel. His best-known works, The Red and the Black and The Charterhouse of Parma, remain celebrated for their restless energy and insight into human behavior.
View all books
by Stendhal

by Stendhal

by Stendhal

by Stendhal

by Stendhal

by Stendhal

by Stendhal

by Stendhal