Three Timeless Short Stories by Grazia Deledda, Volume 3

These three short stories, originally published in a 1912 collection, serve as a perfect jumping-off point for anyone curious about Grazia Deledda, a renowned voice in Italian—and world—literature. Easily read in a single sitting, this modest collection presents a rewarding introduction to Deledda’s style and themes.
Set in or near the town of Nuoro where Deledda was born, these intriguing tales offer a glimpse into the lives of the people and world the author knew so intimately, and this collection features three different perspectives on one of Deledda’s most recurrent themes: money. The first story presents a malnourished young woman “of good stock” who marries not for love, but for food. The second story is that of a failed lawyer with a philosophical bent whose desperate need for a simple pair of shoes drives him to commit a crime with surprising repercussions. In the final story, Deledda reminds us that things aren’t always rosy for the rich, who also suffer their share of misfortune.