Nisida by Alexandre Dumas (1839)

Name: Nisida
Author: Alexandre Dumas

Nisida is a novel by Alexandre Dumas, first published in 1843. It tells the story of a young woman, Nisida, who is forced to flee her home in Italy after her father is killed by a rival family. She finds refuge in the home of a French nobleman, the Marquis de Montauran, who falls in love with her. Nisida is determined to avenge her father's death and sets out to find the man responsible. Along the way, she meets a variety of characters, including a mysterious gypsy, a Spanish nobleman, and a French soldier. As she travels, she discovers secrets about her past and the truth behind her father's death. The novel is a thrilling adventure story, full of romance, intrigue, and suspense. It is a classic example of Dumas' writing style, combining elements of historical fiction and romance.

By Alexandre Dumas · First published 1839 · Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance, Adventure · 15,622 words

First lines

If our readers, tempted by the Italian proverb about seeing Naples and then dying, were to ask us what is the most favourable moment for visiting the enchanted city, we should advise them to land at the mole, or at Mergellina, on a fine summer day and at the hour when some solemn procession is moving out of the cathedral. Nothing can give an idea of the profound and simple-hearted emotion of this populace, which has enough poetry in its soul to believe in its own happiness. The whole town adorns herself and attires herself like a bride for her wedding; the dark facades of marble and granite disappear beneath hangings of silk and festoons of flowers; the wealthy display their dazzling luxury, the poor drape themselves proudly in their rags. Everything is light, harmony, and perfume; the sound is like the hum of an immense hive, interrupted by a thousandfold outcry of joy impossible to describe. The bells repeat their sonorous sequences in every key; the arcades echo afar with the triumphal marches of military bands; the sellers of sherbet and water-melons sing out their deafening flourish from throats of copper. People form into groups; they meet, question, gesticulate; there are gleaming looks, eloquent gestures, picturesque attitudes; there is a general animation, an unknown charm, an indefinable intoxication. Earth is very near to heaven, and it is easy to understand that, if God were to banish death from this delightful spot, the Neapolitans would desire no other paradise.

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Nisida is listed on Textopian as a novel by Alexandre Dumas, dated 1839 CE.

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Work type: Novel
Author: Alexandre Dumas
Date: 1839 CE
Language: English
Genres: Historical Fiction, Romance, Adventure, Mystery
Length: 15,622 words
Structure: 1 section, 225 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

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Genres

Historical Fiction — Nisida is a novel by Alexandre Dumas set in the early 19th century, which follows the story of a young man who is falsely accused of a crime and his journey to prove his innocence.
Romance — The novel features a romantic subplot between the protagonist and a young woman, as they struggle to overcome the obstacles in their path to be together.
Adventure — The novel follows the protagonist's journey as he travels across Europe in search of the truth, encountering danger and excitement along the way.
Mystery — The novel features a mystery element as the protagonist attempts to uncover the truth behind the crime he is accused of and the identity of the true culprit.