Zofloya, ou le Maure, Histoire du XVe siècle

Set against the glittering backdrop of 15th‑century Venice, a sumptuous celebration marks the birthday of the young Victoria de Loredani. The city’s elite gather in a palace awash with music and opulence, while Victoria, radiant yet haughty, basks in the adoration of her family and peers. Her brother Leonardo watches with a fierce devotion, proclaiming her unrivaled splendor, hinting at a bond that is both protective and possessive.

The novel then turns to the origins of the Loredani line: a youthful marriage between the marquis and the striking Lorina, whose vanity and confidence shaped a household steeped in privilege. Their two children, raised in indulgence, inherit their parents’ charms and flaws. Victoria’s sharp wit and relentless pride, coupled with Leonardo’s impulsive temperament, set the stage for conflicts that will test the limits of honor, desire, and the fragile veneer of aristocratic virtue.