Questions About The Betrothed

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Answered Questions (5)

I've tried reading this book about 3 times, and I have the Pocket Penguin Classics copy. And I was wondering, is there anything I'm missing out in this book? And every time I've only gotten up to 100 pages, in all of these times, I felt like the characters were really, well, stereotypical and a bit fad. The Count seemed to evil and the main character I felt had a very annoying ego or short temper, if you will. Thanks.

Giovanni As an Italian, i have of course read the book on my own and later at school. It is a fundamental book to understand Italian history, culture, and the …moreAs an Italian, i have of course read the book on my own and later at school. It is a fundamental book to understand Italian history, culture, and the internal forces that move our society: religion, foreigner dominations, the heritage of our long feudal period and the strong opposition to liberal politics. Manzoni efforts to make this political book (and to convey his political opinions) into a popular story to be read by the millions have been perhaps successful in the 19th and the 20th century, but I understand it is very difficult to follow in the dawn of 21st century. Try this: read the story as a "Name of the rose" (Eco was a very found reader and commenter of the novel) where you should find the secrets of the Italian society – and of course read first the Eco’s book, if you have not done so yet. For example, if you read in the first pages of a coward priest, who chooses to serve the strong rather than to defend the weak, compare it with the analogous descriptions of the Name of the Rose, or listen to some of the discussions around the social role of the Church fueled by pope Francesco. What do you discover? That Franciscans have been so important in the middle age, and Saint Francesco ideology is still important today, and that the relation between power and oppressed classes were an important issue in the Italian unification.(less)

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Hello! I am keen to know if this book would be a suitable read for a 15-year-old? I have read other long classics and I have heard so much about this masterpiece!

Engi Hi, in Italy we study this text during our first year of high school and it is definitely accessible for teenagers, especially for the ones who read o…moreHi, in Italy we study this text during our first year of high school and it is definitely accessible for teenagers, especially for the ones who read other classics :) have fun reading!(less)

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What is a good English translation of this book? I would try the Penguin edition, but it is only available in e-book format. I prefer paper format, so I am interested in whether other respectable editions are available out there.

Vincent DiGirolamo The audio version narrated by Nicholas Boulton is terrific. Available free on Audible via my public library.
https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Betrot...
…moreThe audio version narrated by Nicholas Boulton is terrific. Available free on Audible via my public library.
https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Betrot...
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You can get the Kindle version for free from Amazon, so why is Goodreads linking to an expensive Kindle edition instead? (I know why, I had to pose it as a question because otherwise Goodreads won't let me post.)

Jacqueline Simon I don’t know which translator Kindle or Penguin used, but I think Archibald Colcohoun is the best English translator out there. My spelling is probabl…moreI don’t know which translator Kindle or Penguin used, but I think Archibald Colcohoun is the best English translator out there. My spelling is probably wrong but Googling as “Italian translator A. Colcohoun) should probably bring it up right.(less)

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Does anyone have sources for questions by chapter for a more critical analysis while reading? I have found it difficult to find questions online that will challenge my understanding of what I'm reading.

Erika If you speak the language, there are plenty in Italian, since it's required reading in schools. You could try this one: https://www.goodreads.com/book …moreIf you speak the language, there are plenty in Italian, since it's required reading in schools. You could try this one: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
I'm afraid I don't know any non-Italian sources, but it's considered the greatest Italian novel of all times, so maybe you could search for Italian literature textbooks in your own language. (less)

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