I promessi sposi
The Original Novel by Alessandro Manzoni, Rewritten and Adapted for Intermediate Italian Learners (B1–B2)
Adapted by Laura Tegazzin and Simplicio Stella
Discover one of the greatest classics of Italian literature in a version written in clear, modern Italian. Follow the adventures of Renzo and Lucia while improving your reading comprehension, expanding your vocabulary, and discovering Italian history and culture.
Discover The Betrothed
I promessi sposi (The Betrothed) is one of the most important novels in Italian literature. Written by Alessandro Manzoni and published in its definitive version in 1840, it is set in seventeenth-century Lombardy, during a period marked by political oppression, poverty, war, and disease.
At the center of the story are Renzo and Lucia, two young people who want to marry. Their plans are interrupted by Don Rodrigo, a powerful nobleman who uses his influence to prevent their wedding. Forced to leave their village, Renzo and Lucia become separated and face a succession of dangers and unexpected encounters.
As their adventures unfold, the novel introduces memorable characters and dramatic historical events. Renzo experiences social unrest in Milan, while Lucia faces threats that place her courage and faith to the test. Meanwhile, famine, war, and the terrible plague of 1630 transform the lives of thousands of people.
Beyond the love story, Manzoni explores universal themes such as injustice, the abuse of power, compassion, fear, forgiveness, and the struggle of ordinary people against forces beyond their control. His combination of historical detail, irony, and psychological insight has made the novel an enduring masterpiece.
A Classic Rewritten in Easy and Modern Italian
Reading the original version of I promessi sposi can be challenging for students of Italian. Its complex syntax, extensive descriptions, and literary vocabulary often make it difficult for non-native speakers to follow the story.
This edition has been rewritten and adapted for intermediate learners at the B1–B2 levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
The adaptation uses clearer sentence structures and more accessible vocabulary while preserving the central events, characters, and themes of the original novel. Long descriptions and digressions have been reduced to make the narrative easier to follow.
The aim is to allow readers to enjoy a major work of Italian literature without being overwhelmed by the linguistic complexity of the nineteenth-century text.
Why Read This Book?
- Improve your Italian reading comprehension through an engaging story.
- Learn new vocabulary in meaningful contexts.
- Become more familiar with Italian sentence structures and expressions.
- Discover important aspects of Italian history and culture.
- Build confidence in reading longer texts independently.
- Enjoy a classic of Italian literature in more accessible language.
Who Is This Book For?
This graded reader is suitable for intermediate students who have already acquired a basic knowledge of Italian and want to improve their language skills through extensive reading.
It can be used for independent study, classroom reading, or Italian literature courses for foreign learners. It is also a good choice for anyone interested in exploring Italy’s literary heritage without having to read the demanding original version.
Start Reading I promessi sposi
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