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The Betrothed (Everyman's Library (Cloth)) Hardcover – September 17, 2013

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Alessandro Manzoni (Author)
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Alessandro Manzoni (Author), Jonathan Keates (Introduction)
4.9 out of 5 stars 10 customer reviews
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Product Details

  • Series: Everyman's Library (Cloth)
  • Hardcover: 648 pages
  • Publisher: Everyman's Library; Reprint edition (September 17, 2013)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0375712348
  • ISBN-13: 978-0375712340
  • Product Dimensions: 5.3 x 1.5 x 8.3 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #494,438 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Top Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starsManzoni's Mastepiece in Colquhoun's Translation Is a Great Read!
By Germain Grisez on December 4, 2013
Format: Hardcover Verified Purchase
When I was a college student in the late 1940s, I studied Italian, and my teacher talked about Manzoni's novel. At the time, I had become fascinated with philosophy, in which I went on with. Pope Francis's mention of this novel in his interview with Spadaro reminded me of it. Not remembering enough Italian to read it except in a translation, I did serious research to identify the best English translation, and chose Archibald Colquhoun's. He provides a complete and very readable English translation of the entire Italian edition of Manzoni's definitive text.

Manzoni wrote the book before 1850, but the story is set before 1650--in an Italy where Catholic faith was still vibrant and prevalent. Enzo (Lorenzo) and Lucia, a young couple of the lower class, are about to marry. But a noble lusts after Lucia and orders the completely self-centered parish priest not to marry the couple, and backs up the order with a threat to the priest's life. Good and bad clerics, religious, commoners and nobles help and hinder the young couple to escape, survive, and eventually marry. And in the course of the story, the northern Italian plague of that time complicates life.

Among novels written in English, the best and most satisfying of Dickens seem to me most like Manzoni's masterpiece.
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5.0 out of 5 starsExcellent history in a seminal work of historical fiction
By Steven Davis on April 7, 2014
Format: Hardcover
I Promessi Sposi, also known as The Betrothed, published 1825-26, was one of the first of the new genre of historical novels, and remains one of the very greatest. The story takes place in the Duchy of Milan in the years 1628-1631. It begins in a small village near the town of Lecco on the shore of Lake Como where two happy young people, Renzo and Lucia, are about to be married. But a wealthy and powerful libertine named Don Rodrigo has his eye on Lucia, and blocks the wedding. His machinations soon force the two lovers to take flight, seeking refuge in separate convents but eventually becoming caught up in the monumental and tragic events which would overtake their country.

Milan, at that time, was a possession of the Spanish Habsburgs and an active participant in the conflicts of the Thirty Years War. As the story opens it is also plunging into a desperate famine that will lead to civil unrest. No sooner does the famine begin to ease than the bubonic plague appears, brought apparently by a column of German mercenaries. By 1631 the plague will kill approximately half the population of Milan and its environs.

Manzoni was a thorough and careful historian. By the clever device of presenting the story of Renzo and Lucia as a discovered manuscript by an anonymous author, he is able to clue the reader in to which parts of his novel are fact and which fiction. On critical issues he even discusses and footnotes his sources. I Promessi Sposi is excellent history as well as being an enormously entertaining and moving novel. Its descriptions of suffering, endurance, piety and devotion are unforgettable.

It's worth noting that the events in Dumas' novel The Three Musketeers take place in France at the same time as those of I Promessi Sposi in Italy.
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5.0 out of 5 starsI Promessi sposi
By John Paris on March 7, 2014
Format: Hardcover Verified Purchase
I have read this book in the original Italian language many times . I just finished reading again and compared it to the English translation. I was amazed how the translator could give us the nuances of the original. Many years ago a read that this was the best translation. Now I know why. Also I know now why Pope Francis like this book and keeps it on his desk.
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5.0 out of 5 starsManzoni's Take on History
By Michelone on January 19, 2016
Format: Hardcover
This is one of my favorite novels. I have already read it three times and hope to read the original Italian. This is the work that set the Italian language, the Tuscan dialect. Before that there were 22 dialects. Manzoni purposely strove to achieve this feat. I am surprised no one has mentioned that Don Rodrigo, a Spaniard, also represents the introduction of the Mafia, at least as I interpret it.Spain ruled and dominated Italy for centuries. The description of the bread riots and the plague, both of which are historic events, are magnificent chapters. The Nun of Monza is another great character taken from history. There are books about her infamous behavior in the nunnery, sneaking in assorted lovers and having a nun who threatened to report her to the Church killed. Her trial and punishment, though deserved, was horrendous. Verdi thought highly of the book and he was never wrong about anything. Pope Francis says he's read it four times and it is permanently on his desk. Manzoni's other books on writing are worth a read. He also stated that the time for historical novels had passed...well it's made a great comeback. Think of the great Pasternak novel, written I think in the first decade of the 20th Century. This is a magnificent book and should be read by everyone.
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4.0 out of 5 starsI read it b/c Pope Francis recommended it!
By Roberta on April 15, 2014
Format: Hardcover
I really enjoyed this book. I didn't know much about the time of Spain's dominion over Italy. I am so glad to learn these historical details while enjoying the many colorful characters Manzoni has to offer. I think Manzoni was so eager to fully develop every character and portray their motivations so accurately that he got a little carried away - but in a good way! I loved how Manzoni changed points of view to follow all the characters. Manzoni lovingly depicts his characters but also pokes fun at them a bit too. The plot was suspenseful and the characters were multidimensional. I loved the translation. I thought it flowed beautifully. It is a long wordy book but well worth your time.
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