With his novels, short stories, and plays, Giovanni Verga (1840–1922) achieved renown in the Italian verismo (realist) school of writing. This outstanding selection of 12 short stories — most from the Sicilian writer's Vita dei campi (Rural Life) and Novelle rusticane (Rustic Stories) — attests to his storytelling skills.Selections include "e;Nedda,"e; a short story that initiated Verga's naturalistic depictions of Sicilian peasant life; the much-celebrated "e;Cavalleria Rusticana"e; (Rustic Chivalry), a tale of flirtation, jealousy, and a deadly duel; and "e;L'amante di Gramigna"e; (Gramigna's Mistress), a fascinating psychological study. The collection also features "e;Reverie,"e; "e;Jeli the Herdsman,"e; "e;Nasty Redhead,"e; "e;The She-Wolf,"e; "e;Pestilential Air,"e; "e;Possessions,"e; "e;The History of St. Joseph's Donkey,"e; "e;Dark Bread,"e; and "e;Liberty."e;For this dual-language book, the editor has provided excellent new English translations on pages facing the original Italian text, as well as an informative Introduction and notes.
