
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 figure of the Italian Risorgimento, this novelist and politician turned patriotism, conflict, and historical drama into some of the most impassioned prose of 19th-century Italy. His life was shaped as much by exile, prison, and public office as by literature.
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