The Betrothed

A Novel

By: Alessandro Manzoni, Michael F. Moore - translator, Jhumpa Lahiri - preface

Narrated by: Ari Fliakos, Susan Vinciotti Bonito

“The first English translation in more than fifty years of Alessandro Manzoni’s masterpiece, a work of foundational Italian literature on par with the Divine Comedy and the Decameron.”—The Wall Street Journal

“An exemplary historical novel” (The New Yorker) from the father of modern Italian literature, The Betrothed receives its first new English-language translation in fifty years, hailed as “a landmark literary occasion” by Jhumpa Lahiri.

ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: The New Yorker

The Betrothed is a cornerstone of Italian culture, language, and literature. Published in its final form in 1842, The Betrothed has inspired generations of Italian readers and writers. Giuseppe Verdi composed his majestic Requiem Mass in honor of Manzoni. Italo Calvino called the novel “a classic that has never ceased shaping reality in Italy” while Umberto Eco praised its author as a “most subtle critic and analyst of languages.” The Betrothed has been celebrated by Primo Levi and Natalia Ginzburg, and is one of Pope Francis’s favorite books. But, until now, it has remained relatively unknown to English readers.

In the fall of 1628, two young lovers are forced to flee their village on the shores of Lake Como after a powerful lord prevents their marriage, plunging them into the maelstrom of history. Manzoni draws on actual people and events to create an unforgettable fresco of Italian life and society. In this greatest of historical novels, he takes the reader on a journey through the Spanish occupation of Milan, the ravages of war, class tensions, social injustice, religious faith, and a plague that devastates northern Italy. But within Manzoni’s epic tale, readers will also hear powerful echoes of our own day.

Michael F. Moore’s dynamic new translation of The Betrothed brings to life Manzoni’s timeless literary masterpiece.

Critic reviews

“An important new translation . . . It feels strange to have had a bona fide canonical classic hiding in plain sight for all these years. But with [Michael F.] Moore’s vigorous and companionable translation, the book is now here for everyone to see. . . . Now the English-speaking world can discover what the fuss is all about.”—The Wall Street Journal

“The Betrothed emerges in the new translation as a work that anyone who cares about nineteenth-century fiction should want to read. It has the great events—war, famine, plague—and the record of their impact on humble people. It has the sentimentality: demure maidens and brave lads and black-hearted villains. It has passages of lyrical description and passages where the specificity of detail verges on the sociological. It has the prolixity, annoying to some, comforting to others. In other words, it is an exemplary historical novel.”—The New Yorker

“Michael F. Moore’s new version strikes me as remarkable, extraordinarily well pitched, finding the right levels of colloquialism and eloquence. Moore preserves the heteroglossia of the novel, its rich impasto of spoken and written styles whose incompatibility is one of its deep subjects. And he manages to catch Manzoni’s narrative voice, which is not easy to characterize.”—Peter Brooks, The New York Review of Books

“This is not just a book; it offers consolation to the whole of humanity.”—Giuseppe Verdi

Wonderful classic—very good narration

This novel was a wonder to me. I recommend it highly. Regarding the narration, I’m generally quite sensitive to the quality of the reading, & I had no problem at all with this one. Obviously, the question of reader quality is a subjective one, but I urge Audible subscribers to give this one a chance. If you dislike it as much as one of the other reviewers did, you can always return the book.

Excellent Translation

What a beautiful and full story. I love the backstories given to some of the characters which help to give full understanding to their actions and development. I loved the narration.

Marvelous performance

This is a modern Italian classic, essential reading for modern Italian literature. It has some of the wordiness of a 19th century novel. The prime example is the explanation of Gertrude’s entering the convent. But the story is fascinating. I have listened to many books over the years. This is probably the best performance.

An Italian Masterpiece Reborn

This is truly a timeless masterpiece. I don’t know who to thank more, Manzoni or Michael Moore. On all 3 counts, the book, the translation,the narration, I rate it a rare experience and 5 stars.

All of this and then “the voice”

This is a great classic and it’s translation is evidently an important one. Pity that the reader’s voice is uninteresting if not down right irritating. Frankly, I can’t listen to him anymore. I’ve made it through to chapter 7 but he is driving me nuts. Will try later.