Little Novels of Italy by Maurice Hewlett
Overview
Little Novels of Italy is a collection of six short stories, written by Maurice Hewlett in 1892. The stories are set in various regions of Italy, including the cities of Florence, Rome, and Venice. The stories explore the lives of the people living in these cities, from the upper classes to the lower classes. Through these stories, Hewlett gives readers an insight into the culture, customs, and beliefs of the people of Italy during the late 19th century.
Plot Summary
The first story in Little Novels of Italy, “The Queen’s Page,” is set in Florence. It tells the story of a page to the Queen of Florence, who is sent to deliver a message to the Duke of Venice. Along the way, the page encounters many obstacles, including a storm, a shipwreck, and a mysterious stranger. He ultimately arrives in Venice and delivers the message, but not without learning valuable lessons about life and courage.
The second story, “The Duchess and the Dwarf,” is set in Rome. It tells the story of a duchess who is visited by a dwarf. The dwarf offers her a magical gift, which she must use to save her son’s life. The duchess embarks on an adventure to save her son, learning along the way of the importance of faith, hope, and self-sacrifice.
The third story in the collection, “The Singer of Padua,” is set in Padua. It tells the story of a singer who has been deserted by his lover. He goes on a quest to find her, encountering many obstacles along the way. In the end, he discovers the power of love and forgiveness.
The fourth story, “The Bride of Venice,” is set in Venice. It tells the story of a young woman who is chosen to be the bride of the Doge of Venice. She is torn between her duty to the Doge and her love for a young man from her village. She ultimately learns the power of loyalty and the importance of family.
The fifth story, “The House of God,” is set in Naples. It tells the story of a young man who is sent to find a lost relic. He embarks on a journey to find the relic, learning along the way of the power of prayer and faith.
The sixth and final story in the collection, “The Merchant of Venice,” is set in Venice. It tells the story of a merchant who is visited by the ghost of a dead friend. The friend reveals to the merchant the hidden secrets of his past, and ultimately helps him to make a difficult decision.
Main Teachings
The main teachings of Little Novels of Italy include:
- Courage – The stories emphasize the importance of courage and bravery in the face of adversity.
- Faith – The stories demonstrate the power of faith in difficult situations.
- Hope – The stories show that hope can be found even in the darkest of times.
- Loyalty – The stories emphasize the importance of loyalty, both to oneself and to others.
- Family – The stories demonstrate the importance of family in one’s life.
- Love – The stories show the power of love, and the importance of forgiveness.
Interesting Facts
- Little Novels of Italy was first published in 1892.
- The stories in the collection were written in a series of letters, which were later collected and published as a book.
- The stories were originally written in English, but they were later translated into several other languages.
- Maurice Hewlett was a popular English author of the late 19th century.
- The stories in Little Novels of Italy were inspired by Hewlett’s travels in Italy.
FAQs
- Who wrote Little Novels of Italy?
Little Novels of Italy was written by Maurice Hewlett, an English author of the late 19th century. - When was Little Novels of Italy published?
Little Novels of Italy was first published in 1892. - What is the setting of the stories in Little Novels of Italy?
The stories in Little Novels of Italy are set in various regions of Italy, including Florence, Rome, and Venice. - What are the main teachings of Little Novels of Italy?
The main teachings of Little Novels of Italy include courage, faith, hope, loyalty, family, and love. - Is Little Novels of Italy available in other languages?
Yes, the stories in Little Novels of Italy have been translated into several other languages.