With his novels, short stories, and plays, Giovanni Verga (1840–1922) achieved renown in the Italian verismo (realist) school of writing. This outstanding selection of 12 short stories — most from the Sicilian writer's Vita dei campi (Rural Life) and Novelle rusticane (Rustic Stories) — attests to his storytelling skills.Selections include "Nedda," a short story that initiated Verga's naturalistic depictions of Sicilian peasant life; the much—celebrated "Cavalleria Rusticana" (Rustic Chivalry), a tale of flirtation, jealousy, and a deadly duel; and "L'amante di Gramigna" (Gramigna's Mistress), a fascinating psychological study. The collection also features "Reverie," "Jeli the Herdsman," "Nasty Redhead," "The She—Wolf," "Pestilential Air," "Possessions," "The History of St. Joseph's Donkey," "Dark Bread," and "Liberty."For this dual—language book, the editor has provided excellent new English translations on pages facing the original Italian text, as well as an informative Introduction and notes.