Considering that Italy is an epicenter of culture and the arts, it’s no surprise that literature plays a critical role in Italian society. Starting from a young age, children are exposed to the greatest authors and stories to emerge from their country. These are the top 3 most commonly read books in Italian schools:
La Divina Commedia – Dante
The “Divine Comedy” is the world-famous masterpiece by Dante Alighieri and arguably the most important piece of literature to come from Italy. It’s estimated that it was written between 1306 and 1321, and is a cornerstone of education in Italian society. But why?
First of all, it explores the concept of the afterlife through a vivid description of hell, purgatory, and heaven, which undoubtedly sparks the curiosity of the children reading it. Second, the Florentine dialect used by Dante is credited with shaping the Italian language as we know it today! Lastly, it attunes readers’ ears to poetry and metrics from a young age, and that influence is felt every time a rhyme is heard.
I Promessi Sposi – Alessandro Manzoni
Written by the Milanese writer and poet Alessandro Manzoni, “The Betrothed” was first published in 1827 and then as an expanded edition in 1842. It tells the story of Renzo
and Lucia, a young couple who want to get married but must face lots of obstacles and perils in order to fulfill their dream.
While some Italian children would admittedly find it boring, to many it’s the “perfect Italian novel”. Being set in Lombardy during the 17th century Spanish occupation, the combination of accurate historical descriptions and written language that’s ahead of its time, it’s a masterpiece that everyone knows about! It’s even been translated into movies, TV series, and even parodies.
Cuore – Edmondo de Amicis
Many generations of Italians associate the book “Heart” with their time in elementary school. Written by Piedmontese author and journalist Edmondo De Amicis and published in
1886, it’s the fictional diary of the 3rd-grade pupil Enrico Bottini.
He tells stories about his classmates, teachers, and relatives, interspersed with episodes of children from different parts of Italy that stood out for their heroism, courage, or goodness. Written specifically for the children of a nation that was only 25 years old at the time, its intention was to teach good values to the newest generation, without a religious or political agenda. As a movie, it elicits both laughs and tears from its captivating storytelling.
Have you read any of these classics?
