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If you’ve ever dreamed of strolling through a sun-drenched piazza or getting lost in a maze of medieval streets, these books are the next best thing.
They capture the heart and soul of Italy, from its vibrant history to its deeply human stories.
Take The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco, for example. It’s a medieval murder mystery that will have you solving puzzles alongside a clever friar while exploring an ancient monastery filled with secrets.
Or how about Giovanni Boccaccio’s Decameron? This collection of tales, set during the Black Plague, is full of wit, humor, and sharp observations about life and love.
And if you’re in the mood for something more introspective, there’s Zeno’s Conscience by Italo Svevo—a deeply relatable dive into one man’s self-doubt and misadventures.
So, if you’ve ever wondered where to start with Italian classics, don’t worry. I’ve got a list of gems that will make you laugh, think, and maybe even fall a little in love with Italy itself.
1. The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri
This iconic work of Italian literature takes readers through Dante’s imagined journey through Hell, Purgatory, and Heaven, guided by Virgil and Beatrice.
It’s packed with vivid imagery and moral lessons, providing insight into medieval Italian beliefs and society.
It’s challenging but rewarding—a must-read for its literary beauty and depth of thought.
2. Decameron by Giovanni Boccaccio
This is a collection of 100 stories told by ten young people who flee Florence during the Black Plague.
With humor, romance, and tragedy, these tales offer a snapshot of life in 14th-century Italy while exploring human nature and morality.
Despite being controversial when first published, it remains a model for modern storytelling.
3. Orlando Furioso by Ludovico Ariosto
A chivalric romance packed with knights, magic, and adventure.
It follows Orlando, a knight driven mad by unrequited love for Angelica, against the backdrop of a war between Christians and Muslims.
This Italian classic epic is perfect if you enjoy medieval fantasies with intricate plots.
4. The Betrothed by Alessandro Manzoni
Set in 17th-century Lombardy, this is a love story between Renzo and Lucia, whose plans to marry are disrupted by a villainous nobleman.
With themes of faith, justice, and resilience, it’s a cornerstone of Italian literature and offers a mix of romance and historical depth.
5. The Prince by Niccolò Machiavelli
This political treatise is Machiavelli’s guide on how to acquire and maintain power.
Often misunderstood as cynical, it’s a fascinating look at leadership, human behavior, and politics that coined the term Machiavellian.
It’s still relevant for its unflinching take on realpolitik.
Related: 25 Time-Tested American Classics For Every Bookshelf
6. I Malavoglia by Giovanni Verga
A heart-wrenching tale of a Sicilian fishing family struggling against poverty and misfortune.
It captures the harsh realities of rural life and the unrelenting power of fate. Verga’s use of Sicilian dialect adds authenticity to this vivid portrayal of family and survival.
7. Zeno’s Conscience by Italo Svevo
This novel delves into the mind of Zeno Cosini, a wealthy, neurotic man analyzing his life through the lens of psychoanalysis.
Zeno’s unreliable narration and self-deprecating humor make this an engaging and introspective read about addiction, love, and identity.
8. The Tartar Steppe by Dino Buzzati
A poignant story about Giovanni Drogo, a soldier stationed at a remote fort near a desert.
It’s a metaphor for life’s monotony and the longing for purpose.
Buzzati’s exploration of time, ambition, and disillusionment makes it hauntingly relatable.
9. Six Characters in Search of an Author by Luigi Pirandello
This groundbreaking play blurs the lines between fiction and reality.
Six characters disrupt a theater rehearsal, demanding their story be completed.
Pirandello’s exploration of identity and existentialism makes this a thought-provoking masterpiece.
10. Ultime lettere di Jacopo Ortis by Ugo Foscolo
Italy’s first epistolary novel, it follows Jacopo Ortis, a young man grappling with unrequited love, political disillusionment, and despair.
His letters capture deep emotions and philosophical reflections, which make it a powerful exploration of the human soul.
Also See: 45 Non-Fiction Classics You’ll Want to Pick Up (and Won’t Want to Put Down)
11. The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco
A medieval murder mystery set in a 14th-century Italian monastery.
Franciscan friar William of Baskerville investigates a series of deaths linked to a forbidden book.
This novel combines historical detail, detective intrigue, and philosophical musings on truth, power, and religion.
12. History by Elsa Morante
Set during World War II, this moving novel follows Ida, a half-Jewish teacher, and her son Useppe.
It examines the impact of war on ordinary lives with raw emotional depth.
Morante’s exploration of innocence and loss is unforgettable.
13. The Garden of the Finzi-Continis by Giorgio Bassani
Set in 1930s Ferrara, this bittersweet tale portrays a wealthy Jewish family as fascism tightens its grip.
The Finzi-Continis host tennis matches in their garden, unaware of the impending horrors.
14. The Leopard by Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa
This historical novel explores the decline of Sicily’s aristocracy through the eyes of Prince Fabrizio.
Set during Italy’s unification, it juxtaposes the old world’s fading grandeur with the rise of a new social order.
It’s melancholic, poetic, and deeply reflective.
15. The Solitude of Prime Numbers by Paolo Giordano
This contemporary classic examines the intertwined lives of two lonely individuals, Alice and Mattia, both scarred by childhood trauma.
The novel uses mathematical metaphors to explore isolation, connection, and unspoken love.
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16. Silk by Alessandro Baricco
This short, lyrical novella follows Hervé Joncour, a French silk merchant, on his journeys to Japan.
It’s a meditation on love, desire, and cultural exchange, wrapped in Baricco’s evocative prose.
Perfect for readers who appreciate poetic storytelling.
17. That Awful Mess on the Via Merulana by Carlo Emilio Gadda
A chaotic murder mystery set in Fascist-era Rome.
Gadda’s experimental style combines humor, politics, and philosophical musings in a critique of Italian society.
It’s a challenging but rewarding read.
18. One, No One, and One Hundred Thousand by Luigi Pirandello
This philosophical novel examines the fragmented nature of identity.
The protagonist, Vitangelo Moscarda, questions who he really is after his wife comments on his crooked nose.
19. The Day Before Happiness by Erri De Luca
Set in post-WWII Naples, this tender novel tells of a young orphan mentored by an old caretaker, Don Gaetano.
Through their bond, the boy learns about love, history, and resilience. De Luca’s poetic storytelling is simple yet deeply affecting.
20. The Life of Lazarillo de Tormes (Author Unknown, but influential in Italian literature)
Though technically Spanish, this classic inspired Italian picaresque tales.
Lazarillo’s humorous adventures as a servant expose the hypocrisies of society.
It influenced works like I Malavoglia and blends satire with heart.
Related Post: 15 Female Authors Who Shaped Classic Literature (and Their Best Books)
21. The Cloven Viscount by Italo Calvino
This novella is part of Calvino’s Our Ancestors trilogy.
It tells the quirky story of Viscount Medardo, split into two (good and evil) by a cannonball.
It’s a whimsical exploration of duality, human nature, and morality.
22. Family Sayings by Natalia Ginzburg
This autobiographical novel recounts Ginzburg’s life and family in Fascist Italy.
It’s both intimate and universal, exploring the intersections of family dynamics, political upheaval, and personal growth.
23. The Late Mattia Pascal by Luigi Pirandello
This novel follows Mattia Pascal, who fakes his own death to escape a stifling life. After starting anew, he realizes freedom has its own challenges.
24. Death in Venice by Thomas Mann
Though written by a German author, this novella is set in Venice and profoundly influenced Italian literature.
It explores obsession, beauty, and decay through the story of Gustav von Aschenbach’s infatuation with a young boy during a cholera outbreak.
25. Memoirs of Hadrian by Marguerite Yourcenar
This historical novel reimagines the reflections of Emperor Hadrian, blending philosophy, politics, and human emotion.
Though written by a French author, it’s deeply tied to Italian heritage and landscape.
Also See: 16 of the Most Memorable Female Characters in Classic Books & Why We Love Them
26. A Private Affair by Beppe Fenoglio
Set during the Italian Resistance in WWII, this novel follows partisan Milton as he struggles with love, jealousy, and the horrors of war.
27. Conversations in Sicily by Elio Vittorini
A poetic narrative about a man returning to Sicily, reflecting on personal and societal struggles during Mussolini’s regime.
Its allegorical style challenges oppression and celebrates humanity.
28. The Silent Duchess by Dacia Maraini
Set in 18th-century Sicily, this novel follows Marianna Ucrìa, a mute noblewoman who navigates an oppressive patriarchal society.
29. My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante
The first of the Neapolitan Novels, this modern classic explores the complex friendship between Elena and Lila in postwar Naples.
It’s a rich narrative of love, rivalry, and societal change.
Which Italian classic are you most excited to read?
Join the conversation by sharing your picks or thoughts in the comments.
And, be sure to check out the rest of my site for more book recommendations tailored just for you!
