The Betrothed

Alessandro Manzoni

⏱ 8 minHistorical classic

Two humble peasants engaged to marry are torn apart when a local tyrant lusts after the bride, and endure a long ordeal across a Lombardy of bandits, riots, famine, and the great plague of 1630 before they are providentially reunited. Manzoni's warm, ironic panorama, the founding masterpiece of modern Italian literature.

Listen to the whole of The Betrothed in about 8 minutes — professionally narrated, with Apple-Music-style synced subtitles. One book free every day; Folio Premium unlocks the entire library.