Cavalleria Rusticana and Other Stories

To paraphrase Lawrence Ferlinghetti, these stories by Giovanni Verga are "pictures of a gone world" by a masterful narrator whose manner is somewhat reminiscent of Turgenev. The title story (source for the opera "Cavalleria rusticana") is ironically the least interesting or remarkable in the collection and Verga should not be judged by it. Some contemporary readers might find the melodramatic turns of events and tragic endings heavy-handed, but Verga's close observation and realistic detail shine through and bring nineteenth-century rural Sicily to life. He presents his themes and characters without moralizing or sentimentality. While often tragic or sad, these memorable stories are not lacking in humor either ("War of the Saints" is hilarious) and have a way of getting under your skin. "Wolf-hunt" is a small masterpiece of suspense. Very much recommended for anyone interested in Sicily who wants to learn more about the Sicilian people, their history and culture.

Verga is one of the 19th Century's greatest writers, and it's a shame he isn't better known in the English-speaking world. Stories such as Jeli the Shepherd and the She-Wolf are dazzling, deeply moving stories that rank amongst the best stories Chekhov ever wrote. The translation itself is superb. It is easily the best version of Verga in English.