The House by the Medlar-Tree

Name: The House by the Medlar-Tree
Author: Giovanni Verga

The House by the Medlar-Tree is a novel written by Giovanni Verga and published in 1880. It tells the story of a Sicilian family living in poverty during the late nineteenth century. The main character, Ntoni, struggles to provide for his family while dealing with various obstacles such as droughts, famine, and debt collectors. Throughout the novel, Verga explores themes of social class, poverty, and the struggle for survival in a harsh environment.

By Giovanni Verga · First published 1880 · Genre: Realism, Regionalism, Naturalism · 15 chapters · 92,918 words

First lines

Once the Malavoglia were as numerous as the stones on the old road to Trezza; there were some even at Ognino and at Aci Castello, and good and brave seafaring folk, quite the opposite of what they might appear to be from their nickname of the Ill-wills, as is but right. In fact, in the parish books they were called Toscani; but that meant nothing, because, since the world was a world, at Ognino, at Trezza, and at Aci Castello they had been known as Malavoglia, from father to son, who had always had boats on the water and tiles in the sun. Now at Trezza there remained only Padron 'Ntoni and his family, who owned the _Provvidenza_, which was anchored in the sand below the washing-tank by the side of Uncle Cola's _Concetta_ and Padron Fortunato Cipolla's bark.

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The House by the Medlar-Tree is listed on Textopian as a novel by Giovanni Verga, dated 1880 CE.

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Work type: Novel
Author: Giovanni Verga
Date: 1880 CE
Language: English
Genres: Realism, Regionalism, Naturalism, Family Saga
Length: 92,918 words
Structure: 15 chapters, 1,393 paragraphs
Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)

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Similar titles

Genres

Realism — The book is a quintessential example of the Realist movement, focusing on the everyday lives of ordinary people and depicting their struggles with a high degree of detail and authenticity.
Regionalism — The narrative is deeply rooted in the specific cultural and geographical setting of a Sicilian fishing village, emphasizing local color and customs.
Naturalism — The story reflects Naturalist themes by portraying characters whose lives are shaped by their environment and socio-economic conditions, often highlighting the deterministic nature of their existence.
Family Saga — The plot revolves around the lives and fortunes of a single family, exploring their interpersonal dynamics and generational changes over time.