Description
An original Italian easy reader by Francesca Colombo
The first in a series of five ‘easy reader’ ebooks which tells the story of three generations of an Italian family that emigrates to the USA.
Libro 1 begins in 1895, in the village of Siano, Salerno. The narrator is Santo, a father of three who has fallen on hard times. The story opens as Santo welcomes home his childhood friend (and former rival in love), Cristiano, who after nine years has returned from across the ocean with tales of opportunity…
Cristiano sta appoggiato con la schiena a un muro e mastica un paletto. Non è cambiato quasi per nulla fisicamente, ma ha delle occhiaie più profonde, qualche capello grigio e un nuovo taglio, i baffi più sottili e dei vestiti nuovi. Sono contento di vederlo, dopo nove anni che manca dal paese. Mi è quasi preso un infarto quando mio fratello mi ha detto di averlo visto in piazza. “Pensavo che non tornavi più, Cristià!” gli dico correndogli incontro.
- .pdf e-book (+ audio available free online)
- .mobi (Kindle-compatible) and .epub (other ebook readers) available on request at no extra charge – just add a note to the order form or email us
- 8 chapters to read and listen to!
- Comprehension questions to check your understanding
- Italian/English glossary of ‘difficult’ terms for the level
- Suitable for students at intermediate level or above
- Download your Free Sample Chapter (.pdf)
How do I access my ebook?
When your order is ‘completed’ (normally immediately after your payment), a download link will be automatically emailed to you. It’s valid for 7 days and 3 download attempts so please save a copy of the .pdf ebook in a safe place. Other versions of the ebook, where available, cannot be downloaded but will be emailed to people who request them. There’s a space to do that on the order form – where it says Additional information, Order notes (optional). If you forget, or if you have problems downloading the .pdf, don’t worry! Email us at the address on the website and we’ll help. Also, why not check out our FAQ?
Anita (verified owner) –
I have now bought all five books in this series as I enjoyed this book so much. I have now started on Book 2.
I really enjoy Francesco’s books – all have been very interesting, well written and well spoken.
The level is right for me – always new words to learn and the exercises at the end of each chapter helps to reinforce the grammar.
A lot of work has gone into this series so many thanks to all concerned. I can wholeheartedly recommend this to anyone who wants to learn about Italian immigration.
Derek Hook (verified owner) –
I will review Libro 1 here even though I now have read all 5 in the series, and will give separate reviews for the other books, although my comments will likely be quite similar.
I enjoyed this book (and the remainder of the series) that illustrate a very challenging time in Italy’s history.
I like these books at level B2 and B2/C1 because the vocabulary is just challenging enough and always adds to my understanding of other books and magazines I read. Most useful, however , for me is to read the book whilst listening to the audio. Listening two or three times to the audio whilst re-reading the book gives me a faster comprehension of what the “plot” of the book is about, and often now I understand the words from the context without having to look at the glossary as much. Just as Daniel suggests in his quasi Blog.
Patricia Lenz (verified owner) –
There are no “spoilers” in this review!
I would like to review the entire Colpa della terra series 1-5 as a unit. Colpa della terra is a really good story.
It seems to me reminiscent of the captivating Charles Dickens’ serial publishing days, a sort of binge-watching in print. Finishing one, I was always waiting for the next installment, as in any good series.
While language is colorful and passages are often unfamiliar, the narrative is so strong that I read right to the end of each “installment” then went back to do the exercises, clarify details, and get the whole picture!
I intend to listen to the series a few more times since with each listen, of course, I understand more.
The good writing and the subject makes the series an engaging re-read, excellent Italian-learning material, I think!
The series is a “must have”!
Sarah Bowen (verified owner) –
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story, so much so that I have bought the next in the series. I found the exercises at the end of each chapter very helpful and there was just enough new vocabulary to learn without feeling snowed under. I also like that you can click on a word, look it up and then write a note to remind you what it means.
Lynn Swanson (verified owner) –
This is a great one, not only for the whole idea of Easy Readers, which is so helpful to me, but the subject matter is very interesting to Italian-Americans, whose family came to the US in that wave of immigration- like me! And many of us study Italian. I just bought the second and will keep buying them. The author is really good!
Judy Jacques –
I always enjoy Francesca Colombo’s writing and this series is shaping up to be a great read. The characters are engaging and the setting lends power to the plot. I’ve just started book 2 and bought the third one.
The exercises are helpful, sometimes the glossary less so, but everyone’s knowledge is different – I’m usually more challenged by verb constructions!
Janet Sambucetti (verified owner) –
I have purchased various e-books and they have all been great…good stories, accurate levels, stimulating questions and the right amount of input to digest.
I love these e-books…they help with real Italian to further development my knowledge of the language.
Fiona Spencer (verified owner) –
I’ve already read part 1 and part 2 of this series, very interesting and very moving, I was close to tears at one point. Can’t wait to read the rest of the books in this series. Thankyou.
Leslie Ross (verified owner) –
Over the years I have bought many Easy Reader books, enough to know that my favorite authors are Francesca Colombo and Roberto Gamberini. The books are interesting and I appreciate the comprehension questions at the end of each chapter. Thanks!
Donna K. (verified owner) –
I enjoyed reading this book very much. I am now ordering the second book in the series—wishing all were available now. Reading about the harsh reality that motivated my ancestors to come to America is very rewarding. My grandparents are long gone, and with them, their stories. When I read this book, I felt connected to my past.
easyreadersorg –
Thanks for leaving the first review, Donna! We appreciate it.