The Betrothed (I Promessi Sposi)


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(4.2 stars; 18 reviews)

The Betrothed (I Promessi Sposi) presents a kaleidoscope of individual stories, which are all tied together by the story of Lucia and Renzo, two young persons of humble origin that are deeply in love with one another. However, despite their great attachment, they are prevented from marrying by the cruel Don Rodrigo, who has himself cast an eye on the beautiful and pious Lucia. Don Rodrigo menaces the priest who was to perform the wedding ceremony, who then refuses to do his duty. Thus threatened and prevented from being married, the couple is separated, and the narration follows each of them on their struggle to unite again.

Set in the years 1628-1630, the main story is accompanied by a rich and most accurate description of the historical background -- the warfaring cities, the plague, and the oppressive Spanish rule over Northern Italy during that time. The narration also includes many smaller subplots which allow the reader glimpses into the lives of the other characters involved.

Alessandro Manzoni is regarded as one of the most important authors of Italian literature, and this particular work is counted to the overall most important literary works of the 19th century. (29 hr 10 min)

Chapters

Introduction 10:33 Read by TriciaG
Chapter 1, Part 1 23:27 Read by TriciaG
Chapter 1, Part 2 22:48 Read by TriciaG
Chapter 2, Part 1 15:40 Read by TriciaG
Chapter 2, Part 2 16:50 Read by TriciaG
Chapter 3, Part 1 22:13 Read by TriciaG
Chapter 3, Part 2 16:26 Read by TriciaG
Chapter 4, Part 1 18:55 Read by Luigina
Chapter 4, Part 2 19:46 Read by Luigina
Chapter 5, Part 1 19:30 Read by Brendan Stallard
Chapter 5, Part 2 23:29 Read by Brendan Stallard
Chapter 6, Part 1 15:50 Read by clover
Chapter 6, Part 2 16:53 Read by SuD
Chapter 7, Part 1 29:17 Read by Brendan Stallard
Chapter 7, Part 2 23:03 Read by Peter Turner
Chapter 8, Part 1 24:05 Read by Peter Turner
Chapter 8, Part 2 37:25 Read by Brendan Stallard
Chapter 9, Part 1 23:48 Read by Luigina
Chapter 9, Part 2 28:39 Read by Luigina
Chapter 10, Part 1 28:50 Read by Lani Small
Chapter 10, Part 2 26:10 Read by T.K. Kirven
Chapter 11, Part 1 24:26 Read by Charles McHugh
Chapter 11, Part 2 27:28 Read by Jules Hawryluk
Chapter 12, Part 1 23:03 Read by Brendan Stallard
Chapter 12, Part 2 18:52 Read by Jules Hawryluk
Chapter 13, Part 1 23:57 Read by Jules Hawryluk
Chapter 13, Part 2 18:45 Read by Lani Small
Chapter 14, Part 1 21:45 Read by Lani Small
Chapter 14, Part 2 18:17 Read by Lani Small
Chapter 15, Part 1 18:52 Read by Lani Small
Chapter 15, Part 2 21:01 Read by Lani Small
Chapter 16, Part 1 23:06 Read by Jules Hawryluk
Chapter 16, Part 2 20:09 Read by Jules Hawryluk
Chapter 17, Part 1 23:11 Read by Jules Hawryluk
Chapter 17, Part 2 23:12 Read by Jules Hawryluk
Chapter 18, Part 1 25:06 Read by Jules Hawryluk
Chapter 18, Part 2 18:12 Read by Jules Hawryluk
Chapter 19, Part 1 24:11 Read by Jules Hawryluk
Chapter 19, Part 2 18:26 Read by Jules Hawryluk
Chapter 20, Part 1 20:12 Read by Alan Mapstone
Chapter 20, Part 2 16:29 Read by Alan Mapstone
Chapter 21, Part 1 22:23 Read by Jules Hawryluk
Chapter 21, Part 2 21:39 Read by Jules Hawryluk
Chapter 22, Part 1 19:56 Read by Martin Geeson
Chapter 22, Part 2 22:23 Read by Martin Geeson
Chapter 23, Part 1 32:44 Read by Brendan Stallard
Chapter 23, Part 2 24:15 Read by Brendan Stallard
Chapter 24, Part 1 26:12 Read by Jules Hawryluk
Chapter 24, Part 2 22:40 Read by Jules Hawryluk
Chapter 24, Part 3 25:55 Read by Jules Hawryluk
Chapter 25, Part 1 14:24 Read by Jeanie
Chapter 25, Part 2 22:12 Read by Jeanie
Chapter 26, Part 1 21:00 Read by Jules Hawryluk
Chapter 26, Part 2 23:47 Read by Jules Hawryluk
Chapter 27, Part 1 22:33 Read by Alan Mapstone
Chapter 27, Part 2 23:09 Read by Alan Mapstone
Chapter 28, Part 1 32:03 Read by Jules Hawryluk
Chapter 28, Part 2 32:22 Read by Jules Hawryluk
Chapter 29, Part 1 21:22 Read by Jules Hawryluk
Chapter 29, Part 2 17:15 Read by Lani Small
Chapter 30, Part 1 13:58 Read by Michele Eaton
Chapter 30, Part 2 14:39 Read by Michele Eaton
Chapter 31, Part 1 23:42 Read by Alan Mapstone
Chapter 31, Part 2 26:13 Read by Alan Mapstone
Chapter 32, Part 1 24:40 Read by Lani Small
Chapter 32, Part 2 20:34 Read by Lani Small
Chapter 33, Part 1 25:08 Read by Lani Small
Chapter 33, Part 2 30:47 Read by Sandra Estenson
Chapter 34, Part 1 35:28 Read by Sandra Estenson
Chapter 34, Part 2 26:49 Read by Lani Small
Chapter 35, Part 1 16:49 Read by Lani Small
Chapter 35, Part 2 17:50 Read by Lani Small
Chapter 36, Part 1 28:25 Read by Lani Small
Chapter 36, Part 2 20:56 Read by Lani Small
Chapter 37, Part 1 20:25 Read by TriciaG
Chapter 37, Part 2 16:42 Read by TriciaG
Chapter 38, Part 1 21:02 Read by TriciaG
Chapter 38, Part 2 26:14 Read by TriciaG

Reviews

Great novel, variably read


(4 stars)

This is one of the great European novels. A sweeping historical novel that compares well with War and Peace. The quality of the reading is variable.


(2.5 stars)

it didn't make me bored but it sure made my mom bored listening to my narrations of it!


(5 stars)

A great classic of Italian literature!