Best Italian Books

This modern masterpiece follows two friends, Elena and Lila, as they grow up in a poor but vibrant neighborhood on the outskirts of Naples in the 1950s. Through their intertwined paths, Ferrante tells the story of a changing nation and the nature of friendship. This rich, intense, and generous-hearted book is a must-read for fans of character-driven stories.

This gripping novel follows the story of nine-year-old Michele Amitrano as he and five other children explore the deserted countryside during the hottest summer of the twentieth century. Amidst the golden wheat, Michele stumbles upon a secret so terrible that he can't bring himself to tell anyone. As he comes to terms with what he has found, the reader is drawn into a dual story of tragedy involving the adults in the small and isolated hamlet. This powerful, lyrical, and skillfully narrated novel will leave a lasting impression.

This Sicilian crime series follows Inspector Montalbano as he investigates the suspicious death of Silvio Luparello in the midst of drug dealers and prostitutes. Despite pressure to close the case, Montalbano is determined to uncover the truth through a maze of corruption and false clues. Enjoy this wry and captivating series, starting with The Shape of Water.

In a wealthy Italian abbey in 1327, Brother William of Baskerville is tasked with investigating suspected heresy. But when seven strange deaths occur, Brother William turns detective, using the logic of Aristotle, theology of Aquinas, and insight of Roger Bacon to solve the case. With a touch of humor and sharp curiosity, he deciphers codes, collects evidence, and navigates the eerie abbey where "the most interesting things happen at night."

In this captivating novel, Lucy's life takes an unexpected turn when she visits Florence with her rigid cousin Charlotte. Through her encounters with unconventional characters at the Pension Bertolini, Lucy's eyes are opened to a world of passion and intensity unlike anything she's experienced before. But will she have the courage to follow her heart and break free from Edwardian England's repressed morality?

Discover a stunning debut novel that meditates on loneliness, love, and what it means to be human. Meet Alice and Mattia, both "primes" haunted by early tragedies, who recognize a kindred, damaged spirit in each other. Years later, a chance encounter reunites them and forces a lifetime of concealed emotion to the surface. But can two prime numbers ever find a way to be together? The Solitude of Prime Numbers brilliantly captures the complexities of human connection and the universal longing for love.

Travel back in time to Renaissance Italy and uncover the captivating story of Lucrezia de’ Medici, the young duchess trying to find her place in a troubled court. From the award-winning author of Hamnet comes a fictional tale brimming with luminous imagery and honest emotion. Lucrezia must navigate a foreign land, a new husband with a hidden past, the pressure to provide an heir, and the expectations of her rank. With her future on the line, she battles for survival in a world where many wish to see her fail. Discover the resilience of a determined young woman in this unforgettable story full of beauty and intrigue.

Explore the desolate, yet beautiful landscape of Lucania, a southern region in Italy, through the eyes of Carlo Levi, a political prisoner who was confined there during the start of the Ethiopian war in 1935. Levi reflects on the harsh conditions and the lives of the peasants who are living in ancient traditions and feared black magic and death. Discover a place and a people living outside the boundaries of progress and time in this moving account.

Escape the ravages of the Black Death with The Decameron. This collection of one hundred entertaining stories follows ten young noble men and women as they find refuge in a country villa outside of Florence. Boccaccio's talent as a dramatist shines in his vivid portraits of people from all walks of life, and their bewildering array of reactions to the plague's devastation. With masterful storytelling, The Decameron is a timeless classic.

Travel back to 17th century Lombardy during the Spanish occupation in this enduring historical novel. Follow the story of Renzo and Lucia, two young lovers who are forcibly separated by a petty tyrant, Don Rodrigo, who desires Lucia for himself. Forced to flee and facing plague, famine, and imprisonment, they encounter a variety of strange characters in their struggle to be reunited. Explore themes of love, power, and faith in this great European historical classic.