Stefania Auci Books

Based on the true history of the uncrowned kings of Sicily: the story of a family, restless and ambitious, shrewd and determined to be richer and more powerful than anybody else. In this grand, sweeping epic inspired by the real lives of history-making titans, international best-selling author Stefania Auci brings to life the dark secrets, the loves and betrayals, and the cruel acts of revenge that marked the Florio family's century of influence. The Florios arrive in Sicily, with nothing but the clothes on their back after an earthquake destroys their hometown. Against all odds, the family begins anew despite the looming Napoleonic wars and devastating plagues. But when Vincenzo is spurned by his aristocratic lover, he vows to avenge his honor by becoming the wealthiest man in Italy. Sacrificing love and family, he strives to buy what cannot be his by birth. Not to be outdone by the men, the Florio women unapologetically demand their place outside the restraints of caring mothers, alluring lovers, or wounded wives. Giulia, though only a mistress, is fiercely intelligent and runs the empire from the shadows. Angelina, born a bastard, charts her own future against the wishes of her father. In this epic yet intimate tale of power, passion, and revenge, the rise and fall of a family taps into the universal desire to become more than who we are born as.

The Florios, known as the Lions of Sicily, have risen from mere ambition to immense wealth, boasting palaces, factories, ships, silks, and jewels. The Sicilian city admires, honors, and fears them. Vincenzo, destined to lead Casa Florio, is driven by a ruthless ambition that pushes him beyond Sicily to Rome, Europe, and naval dominance in the Mediterranean, culminating in the acquisition of the Egadi Archipelago. His icy heart leads him to abandon his true love, casting a long shadow over his legacy. His son, Ignazziddu, barely twenty, stands to inherit this vast empire, yet he is nothing like his father. A nervous young man, he resists the weight of his infamous name and the sacrifices it demands. As he grapples with a rapidly changing world filled with violence and turmoil, he realizes that having Florio blood is insufficient to wield the power his father and grandfather possessed. Amidst this struggle are two remarkable women: Giovanna, Vincenzo's passionate yet fragile wife, and Franca, Ignazziddu's stunning wife, whose beauty is threatened by fate's cruelty. These women bring life to the narrative, set against the backdrop of the Belle Epoque, as the story explores the exhilarating and tragic history of a family that dominated Italian society and shaped the heartbeat of an island and city.

Angelina, born a bastard, charts her own future against the wishes of her father. In this epic yet intimate tale of power, passion, and revenge, the rise and fall of a family taps into the universal desire to become more than who we are born as. Translated from the Italian by Katherine Gregor

Sizilien im 19. Jahrhundert. Als die Brüder Paolo und Ignazio Florio in Palermo ihr Glück suchen, besitzen sie nichts. Außer dem Willen, es ganz nach oben zu schaffen, und den Mut, Neues zu wagen. Aus einem unbedeutenden Gewürzladen machen sie ein florierendes Unternehmen. Sie investieren klug und bringen es allen Anfeindungen zum Trotz zu Geld und Ansehen. Dann stirbt Paolo, und das Schicksal der Familie liegt in der Hand seines Sohnes Vincenzo. Unter ihm gedeiht die Casa Florio, in seinen Kellern wird aus dem Wein der Armen, dem Marsala, Siziliens größter Schatz. Und in der Mailänder Händlertochter Giulia findet Vincenzo nicht nur die große Liebe seines Lebens, sondern auch eine tapfere Mitstreiterin. Doch dann drohen Familienstreitigkeiten und Schicksalsschläge die Florios zu Fall zu bringen …

Dans la première moitié du XXe siècle, la famille Florio est confrontée à de lourds malheurs : des enfants décèdent, le couple Franca et Ignazio traverse des difficultés, et la colère des ouvriers menace de les plonger dans la ruine.

Palermo, Ende des 19. Jahrhunderts: Der Handel mit Marsalawein ermöglichte den Florios einen kometenhaften Aufstieg zur einflussreichsten Familie Siziliens. In dritter Generation führt nun Ignazio Florio das Unternehmen. Sein Leben dient allein dem Erfolg – er verzichtete sogar auf die große Liebe, um eine Standesehe einzugehen. Ganz anders sein gleichnamiger Sohn, dem seine Gefühle für die schöne Franca viel wichtiger sind als das Geschäft. Doch dann stirbt der Patriarch plötzlich, und der junge Ignazio muss von heute auf morgen die Geschicke des Hauses Florio leiten …

El invierno de los leones narra el ascenso y la caída trágica de la dinastía Florio, una poderosa familia en Sicilia. Los Florio, admirados y temidos por la ciudad, han dejado atrás tiempos de miseria. Ignacio, el heredero, está decidido a expandir su poder más allá de Sicilia, influir en la política romana y dominar el Mediterráneo. Sin embargo, su ambición le costó un amor que lo perseguirá toda la vida. Por otro lado, su hijo Ignazziddu, a sus veinte años, siente el peso del legado familiar pero no desea sacrificarse por él. A medida que intenta tomar control del imperio, se enfrenta a un mundo en transformación, donde las viejas reglas ya no aplican. Comprenderá que no basta con llevar la sangre de los Florio para triunfar; le falta algo que sus antepasados poseían. La historia también se entrelaza con las vidas de dos mujeres: Giovanna, la esposa de Ignacio, fuerte y frágil a la vez, y Franca, la esposa de Ignazziddu, la mujer más hermosa de Europa, que enfrentará un destino cruel. Estas mujeres encarnan la gloriosa y trágica historia de los leones de Sicilia.

Ludovico Aldisi, un ambizioso giornalista della «Nazione», conosciuto per le aperte simpatie interventiste, vede nella guerra appena dichiarata un’occasione di prestigio e ascesa sociale. È un uomo affascinante, che ha come amante Claudia, la bella moglie di un ricco avvocato, cui non esita a chiedere soldi e favori.La sua esistenza subisce una svolta quando, durante una manifestazione pacifista, rivede Dante, amico e compagno di università. In quell’occasione conosce anche Irene, una ragazza francese, figlia di un suo ex professore universitario. La giovane lo impressiona per la verve intellettuale e la libertà di pensiero, oltre che per la fede pacifista.L’amicizia tra i due non attecchisce subito. L’uomo, infatti, si reca sulla Marna come inviato di guerra e qui si unisce a un battaglione scozzese. Conoscerà da vicino l’orrore delle battaglie, e questi eventi lo cambieranno profondamente.Al ritorno, Ludovico non è più il giornalista spregiudicato di quando era partito, ma un uomo confuso e tormentato. Mentre il rapporto con Claudia comincia a sfaldarsi, l’unico a dargli una mano è Dante, che lo invita nella sua tenuta nel Chianti, la Torricella. Lì c’è anche Irene. Tra i due si crea un legame che aiuterà Ludovico a far chiarezza dentro di sé e a comprendere cosa ha davvero perduto, proprio quando anche su Firenze e sull’Italia cominciano ad allungarsi le ombre minacciose della prima guerra mondiale.