
In the sweltering heat of a midsummer day, the quiet hill town of Montefiano awakens as the evening breeze rolls over the Sabine hills. The narrative introduces Don Agostino, a strikingly handsome monsignore whose immaculate black soutane and refined bearing set him apart from the rustic villagers he serves. Though his arrival was once surrounded by whispered rumors of scandal or political intrigue, he fulfills his priestly duties with calm devotion, earning the genuine affection of a community that initially regarded him with suspicion.
The story paints a vivid portrait of rural Italian life, from the relentless cicada chorus to the bustling piazza where locals gather around the church. As Don Agostino navigates the delicate balance between his aristocratic background and the simple, heartfelt needs of his flock, the novel hints at deeper secrets hidden beneath the surface of this sun‑baked landscape. Listeners will be drawn into a world where compassion bridges social divides, and where the mysteries of the past linger in the shadows of the present.
Language
en
Duration
~13 hours (763K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2014-08-27
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects
1860–1921
Best remembered for novels like Donna Diana and The Passport, this English writer brought Italy vividly to life for readers through fiction, essays, and travel writing. His work reflects a lasting fascination with Italian culture, art, and everyday life.
View all books
by Elizabeth Von Arnim

by Henry James

by Norman Douglas

by Paul Heyse

by Paul Heyse

by Stendhal

by Alfredo Panzini

by Stendhal