Description
An easy Italian reader by Francesca Colombo
Said to be the most famous and widely-read Italian novel, Alessandro Manzoni’s romantic blockbuster, first published in 1827, is set in the early seventeenth century during the oppressive years of Spanish rule.
Renzo and Lucia are engaged to be wed, but the comely maiden has caught the eye of the local Spanish overlord, who sends a pair of heavies to intimidate the village priest into not performing the marriage. The couple have no choice but to flee their homes in the hope of finding safety…
- .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?
Gill (verified owner) –
I was introduced to this book in my Italian lessons and it was great to find an abridged version that gave me the gist of the story. The extracts from the film that I found on YouTube made a lot more sense after reading this.
Bill Convery (verified owner) –
Although this Easyreader book is rated B1/ B2 I felt it had been overrated. I have read other B1/B2 that have been much more difficult. Having written that the story was entertaining. I have also begun to read the original which is much more interesting as well as more difficult.
easyreadersorg –
Perhaps you’ve improved since your read the others at this level, Bill? That is, after all, the whole point…
We (me personally, along with the editor and writer who are both Italian teachers) do our best with level evaluationss, but in the end they are subjective judgements based on a variety of factors.
It’s reasonable to assume that a B1/2 is harder than a B1 and easier than a B2, but not everyone will agree. In the end, we’re talking about a half-level gradation, so one twelfth of our whole range from A1 to C2. Precision is not, therefore, very likely.
Hilary Griffiths (verified owner) –
Although the story was interesting, I found the brevity of the chapters a bit disappointing.
easyreadersorg –
The length of the text is clearly signalled in the index of the FREE sample chapter, Hilary, so really there should be no doubt in anyone’s mind that they are buying a short ebook, specifically written for learners at intermediate level.
The original text of I promessi sposi is available free online. The version I read comes in at something like 850 pages. Brevity, therefore, is what we are selling.
Helen Hensley (verified owner) –
This was a very interesting book, and it’s relationship to today’s covid was almost weird. I had heard about the book, but could not have tackled the full text. So this was great!
Patricia (verified owner) –
I thoroughly enjoyed this story & as always appreciated the glossaries & exercises. A great way to be learning Italian! Thank you Daniel, for all your innovative opportunities you offer us on your website!
Claire (verified owner) –
A very accessible and enjoyable version of this famous novel. The glossary is useful and the questions on each chapter are a fun way to check understanding of what you’d read.
DONNA K. (verified owner) –
I had been hearing about I Promessi Sposi for several years. I had looked at a copy of it online and decided it was too difficult for me. I also was reluctant to invest days or weeks in reading the original book. When I heard about your simplified version, I decided to try it. This club’s bookstore has not failed me yet – – I have enjoyed every book I have purchased from you, and this one did not disappoint. It was an excellent way to be introduced into the time period, and customs of Italian life. I consider myself an intermediate/advanced reader, and I did not find the simplified version overly “simplified. “It was interesting to read and maybe now that I have an excellent foundation, I may attempt to read the original.
Donna K (verified owner) –
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. for years I had heard about I Promessi Sposi. It was often referred to in classes that I had taken in the past. I had also read numerous excerpts from the original online. However, I did not want to devote the time-/days or weeks in reading the original, This summarized version offered the perfect solution. It was very manageable and the vocabulary , though simplified, was not childish. I also think that I have gained the confidence to challenge myself to read the original version. Lastly, finding reading material on the intermediate/advanced level is not easy. The offerings on this website have met that need as well. Recommend highly
Julie Crews (verified owner) –
I Promessi Sposi was a challenge but I feel a sense of achievement in completing the e-book.
Who would of thought I would be reading a book in Italian containing words which relate very closely to the Covid19 ‘la peste’!
I am still trying to move to approaching my Italian according to Daniel’s method and trusting that this will prove to be successful and enjoyable.
There is certainly an abundance of material to access and I am grateful for having been directed to Daniel’s site.
Christine Caldwell (verified owner) –
What a wonderful way to learn a language I was surprised how much I understood and by reading it many times and listening to the audio I now feel confident to move onto something more challenging
So thanks for making learning Italian so much fun
Christine Caldwell
Derek Hook (verified owner) –
Questa storia per coincidenza, ha molto rilvanza per l’attuale crisi Covid (e sta inizato a Begamo).
Avrò bisogno di rileggere questa storia un coppia di volte di capire tutte le parole ma ho capisco genralmente il teme della storia.
Sto seguendo il tuo consiglio di legger molti volte e ascolato.
Anche ho il libro e mia moglie anche sta lo leggando
Nic Edwards (verified owner) –
This story was just at the right level for me, and I was able to read it without resorting to a dictionary, thanks to the glossary for the odd word. It’s been wonderful to find an interesting story in Italian that I can read, on my way (hopefully) to one day being able to read books in Italian for real. I think this is a useful step on the way. I also enjoy the exercises at the end of each chapter.
Zsuzsanna Snarey (verified owner) –
I have enjoyed the story very much and having read the easy version started to read the original while at the same time listening to the RaiRadio audio. I found the reading very beautiful and read with such expression as to be able to understand quite a lot of the story. I am still listening and reading the original. It is quite a large book. I have taken Daniel’s advice not to look up words in a dictionary although I am very tempted!
Chris Clark (verified owner) –
Another good offering. Once more at the top end of my ability.
Similar to the previous reviewer, I do need to read this level much more than once. There are still words underlined which I don’t understand and if all else fails, and I feel it would be beneficial I may report to a dictionary. Occasionally I need to do this to make sense of what the exercise at the end of the chapter is looking for.
martjc36 (verified owner) –
I really enjoyed this story. I was pleased to discover that I could understand most of the words! I read each chapter twice, completed the tests – not all but the majority of my answers were correct. I then listened to the story twice. Again, understanding most of it. I did read the ordinal text of Pinocchio (not easy) but I believe I would have found this story ‘s original text much harder.