“When Paolo came to Milan with notes under his arm—and in those days, for him all the days were sunny and all the women were beauties—he soon met the princes...

“After returning from military service, Turiddu Makka, the son of Aunt Nunzia, walked importantly every Sunday in the square in the uniform of a rifleman and...

“They know how to write—that’s the problem. They endure the early morning cold in winter and the heat of the harvest like any other poor person, because they...

“Women were spinning in the sun, chickens were rummaging around near the thresholds - peace and quiet, and God’s grace. And suddenly everyone rushed away, se...