The Marchesa
The Marchesa by Simonetta Agnello Hornby, published by Penguin in 2007, is a work of fiction that spans 326 pages. The story follows Costanza Safamita, the cherished daughter of Baron Domenico Safamita, who is seen as an outsider on her family estate due to her red hair and shy demeanor. As the sole heir to her father’s fortune, Costanza’s life takes a dramatic turn as she navigates the complexities of love and societal expectations in Palermo, a city marked by the decline of its aristocracy.
Readers will find an exploration of Costanza’s journey as she confronts the challenges of her identity and her relationship with a charming yet dissolute young marchese. The narrative delves into the themes of Sicilian aristocracy, the collapse of the Bourbon monarchy, and the rise of the Mafia, all intricately woven into Costanza’s life story. The Marchesa presents a unique woman’s perspective on the societal hypocrisy of the time, offering insights into a world that is both captivating and historically rich.
Official synopsis Publisher
Costanza Safamita, beloved daughter of Baron Domenico Safamita, is a precious but unusual child. Red-haired, gawky and shy, she is considered an outsider by many on the family estate, but her adoring father makes her sole heir to the Safamita fortune – and then everything changes. Now she must conquer glittering, alien Palermo where, uncertain of her future, she falls in love with a charming, dissolute young marchese whose sexual appetite she fears she cannot satiate. The Marchesa’s brave, unusual story offers an unprecedented woman’s perspective on the incestuous hypocrisy of Sicilian aristocracy during a dramatic time in history. The Bourbon monarchy collapsed, the Mafia rose to power, and Palermo’s decadent aristocracy began its inevitable decline. These themes are flawlessly woven into the fabric of Costanza’s triumphant life, so that The Marchesa becomes not only an unforgettable human tale but a masterly fresco of a vanished world.
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