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"No lines sector off the sky so high above, though all the nations of the Earth be bound about with borders."

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  • The Dragon the Witch and the Daughters by Luigi Capuana (English Edition)

    From a master of Italian verismo comes a classic short story of the genre, but with a twist. As characters come into conflict with each other, and “the Dragon” with himself, Capuana weaves together the grimness of real life with threads of subtle fairytale. For the first time translated into English by Michael Curtotti, The Dragon the Witch and the Daughters, transports us into the life of a nineteenth century village. Don Paolo Drago, “dragon by name, dragon by nature,” appears to dominate this world, yet he barely controls his own thoughts and feelings. Despite himself, he is drawn into the destiny of two orphans. Yet tragedy stalks the life of Don Paolo.…

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    Isabella’s Castle Prison and Her Poetic Escape

    August 26, 2019

    Laura Terracina: For Who is Enemy to Woman

    May 27, 2019

    Doctor Who? Trotula of Salerno

    November 19, 2018
  • Alessandro Manzoni and the Betrothed (I Promessi Sposi)

    Alessandro Manzoni is a talented story teller and a perceptive observer of character. His novel, the Betrothed (I Promessi Sposi) has been celebrated as a gem of Italian literature ever since its publication. It is readily available as a physical, ebook or audiobook (see below) and several movie and serial versions have been made. The novel’s main characters, Renzo and Lucia are in love and they are to be married. Yet achieving this happy and unexceptional outcome turns out to be far from easy in Lombardy of the 1600s in which the historical novel is set. Manzoni wrote his book in the early 1800s, two hundred years later, so we see a more…

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    Forgotten crimes and the sack of Rome

    September 13, 2018
    The Battle of Solferino - wounded

    “Tutti fratelli”: Solferino, Italy and Humanity’s Wounds

    October 22, 2018
    day of the dead

    Italy’s Day of the Dead

    November 1, 2018
  • The Resurrection of Don Paolo: Il Drago Part 5

    In this fifth instalment of Il Drago, Don Paolo comes back to life. After the unexpected battle between the Old Dragon and the Witch, the children’s old lives with her have been swept away. Don Paolo’s long dead daughters, Lisa and Giovanna, have risen from the grave. And the Old Dragon has much to do. The previous instalments of Il Drago are accessible at the end of this article. The Resurrection of Don Paolo Within two days the house was unrecognizable. In one room, two made up beds could be seen, one next to the other. The Old Dragon had put them together, assisted by the two girls, who had entertained…

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    Othello and Desdemona: An Italian novella of murder and manipulation

    February 10, 2024

    Dante and the Invention of the Italian Language

    October 8, 2018

    Giosuè Carducci and Miramar Castle

    June 22, 2020
  • Don Paolo: the Making and Unmaking of a Dragon (Il Drago Part 3)

    In this third instalment of Il Drago by Luigi Capuana we learn how Don Paolo became “Dragone”. Who is this fearsome old man who chased the children away when they begged in the streets? And took them in, in what all said was a miracle?  And how was it that the Dragone was unmade? The Making and Unmaking of Don Paolo Dragone by Luigi Capuana (translation: Michael Curtotti) It had been years and years that the Dragon had lived alone in his tenement, doing all for himself. Two large rooms on the ground floor, and four smoky rooms on the first floor. For one person it would have been more than ample,…

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    Who Am I to Speak to You of Italy?

    April 29, 2019
    Dante under the Southern Cross 2021: Australian Reflections for the 700th Anniversary of the Passing of Dante Alighieri

    Dante under the Southern Cross: Australian Reflections on the 700th Anniversary of the Passing of Dante Alighieri

    January 9, 2023

    Behind the scenes interview: Juliet is dead: Romeo’s Lost Scene

    May 23, 2024
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