Saracinesca

"Saracinesca" by F. Marion Crawford is a novel set in mid-19th century Rome, capturing the complex dynamics of the Roman nobility during that transitional era. The story appears to delve into the intricacies of love, family honour, and societal expectations as it explores the life of Giovanni Saracinesca, a member of a distinguished family, amid the vivid backdrop of Roman society. The opening of the novel paints a rich portrait of Rome in 1865, brimming with historical context and elaborate descriptions of its culture and characters, including the vibrant and morally ambiguous Duchess d'Astrardente, who has sacrificed much for her father's wellbeing. The narrative introduces Giovanni Saracinesca, who grapples with familial duty and his own desires while being entangled in social expectations and a growing attraction to the Duchess. As tensions arise between Giovanni and his father over a proposed marriage to the wealthy widow Tullia Mayer, the stage is set for a tale that promises themes of passion, conflict, and the dualities of human nature amid the societal pressures of aristocratic life. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Francis Marion Crawford was an American writer noted for his many novels, especially those set in Italy, and for his classic weird and fantastical stories.