
In a Florence torn apart by the bitter rivalry of the Guelf and Ghibelline factions, the proud houses of the Bardi and the Buondelmonti keep a wary distance, their ancient grudges making any alliance seem impossible. Yet amid this hostile landscape a tender, unexpected romance blossoms when the fifteen‑year‑old Dianora Bardi catches the eye of Ippolito, a young man from the rival clan. Their connection feels almost predestined, a gentle defiance of the hatred that surrounds them, and it is hinted that such love may elevate both hearts beyond the ordinary concerns of their families.
The story opens on a solemn church festival, where music, incense, and the glow of candlelight create an atmosphere ripe for secret longing. In the midst of the solemn rites, Ippolito’s gaze meets Dianora’s, and a silent, powerful recognition passes between them, stirring emotions that the surrounding crowd cannot perceive. As the ceremony concludes, the pair find themselves alone, their whispered promises hinting at a future fraught with both hope and danger, while the city’s unforgiving politics loom ever closer.
Language
it
Duration
~2 hours (125K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Carlo Traverso, Claudio Paganelli, Barbara Magni and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive)
Release date
2015-01-06
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1804–1873
A fiery voice of the Italian Risorgimento, he turned history, politics, and fiction into tools for stirring public feeling. His novels were known for their patriotic energy, and his public life was just as dramatic as his writing.
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