The Italian

More about the book

First published in 1797, this Gothic romance features a fast-paced narrative centered on the enigmatic monk Schedoni, whose mysterious past looms large. The story immerses readers in a shadowy world where crime and religion intertwine. In the church of Santa Maria del Pianto in Naples, Ellena Rosalba and Vincentio di Vivaldi's love blossoms, yet it is fraught with danger. Opposing them are the ambitious Marchese di Vivaldi and her confessor, Father Schedoni. Following the death of her guardian, Ellena disappears, prompting Vivaldi to embark on a perilous journey through the mountainous regions of southern Italy, only to fall victim to the Holy Inquisition himself. This revised and expanded edition contextualizes the novel within British views of Italy and Roman Catholicism in the late eighteenth century, offering a detailed examination of its style and form. The series has provided access to a diverse range of global literature for over a century, ensuring each volume reflects a commitment to scholarship with accurate texts, expert introductions, extensive notes, and updated bibliographies for further study.