25% Off New Ebook Easy Reader – Colpa della terra, Libro 1

Buondì.

If you’re learning Italian, like reading, and can manage texts at intermediate + level, then you might enjoy our new five-part series of ‘easy reader’ ebooks.

‘Colpa della terra’ is the name of the series, and of the first book in it.

‘Blame it on the land’ might be one translation, the idea being that it was the quality of the land available to poor Italians that caused the desperation that in turn drove waves of migration to places like the USA.

Italy does have good agricultural land, of course, but it’s not evenly distributed. Hence Italians leaving behind them places like Sicily and other parts of the Mezzogiorno, rather than the more fertile central regions or the soggy floodplains of the north-east.

And of course, the rich landowners didn’t emigrate. Why risk it, if you’re doing just fine anyway?

Economics, kids, I used to tell my brood around the dinner table, their anxious little faces hanging on daddy’s every word of wisdom.

It all comes down to economics, then as now! You have to be able to earn a living! Or if not, be willing to get on a boat and cross a sea, or an ocean, in search of better prospects.

Anyway, back to the five-part ‘Colpa della terra’.

We have Libro 1 this week, and for those who enjoy it, Libro 2 next week.

Libri 3 and 4 are scheduled for publication in May, and the final one in June.

What’s it about, then?

Well, obviously, with a five-part series, I can’t give too much away.

But I am able to say that each tale is narrated by a different member of the family, and that the story arc as a whole spans more than fifty years…

Oh, and there are no mafiosi.

Here, then, is the blurb for the first one, copied and pasted directly from the ebooks shop:

An original Italian easy reader by Francesca Colombo

The first in a series of five ‘easy reader’ ebooks which tells the story of three generations of an Italian family that emigrates to the USA.

Libro 1 begins in 1895, in the village of Siano, Salerno. The narrator is Santo, a father of three who has fallen on hard times. The story opens as Santo welcomes home his childhood friend (and former rival in love), Cristiano, who after nine years has returned from across the ocean with tales of opportunity…

Cristiano sta appoggiato con la schiena a un muro e mastica un paletto. Non è cambiato quasi per nulla fisicamente, ma ha delle occhiaie più profonde, qualche capello grigio e un nuovo taglio, i baffi più sottili e dei vestiti nuovi. Sono contento di vederlo, dopo nove anni che manca dal paese. Mi è quasi preso un infarto quando mio fratello mi ha detto di averlo visto in piazza. “Pensavo che non tornavi più, Cristià!” gli dico correndogli incontro.

• .pdf e-book (+ audio available free online)
• .mobi (Kindle-compatible) and .epub (other ebook readers) available on request at no extra charge – just add a note to the order form or email us
• 8 chapters to read and listen to!
• Comprehension questions to check your understanding
• Italian/English glossary of ‘difficult’ terms for the level
• Suitable for students at intermediate level or above
• Download your Free Sample Chapter (.pdf)

Buy Colpa della terra, Libro 1, Colpa della terra, just £5.99 | Free Sample Chapter (.pdf) | Catalog

How do I access my ebook?

When your order is ‘completed’ (normally immediately after payment), a download link will be automatically emailed to you. It’s valid for 7 days and 3 download attempts so please save a copy of the .pdf ebook in a safe place. Other versions of the ebook (.mobi/Kindle-compatible, .epub) cannot be downloaded but will be emailed to people who request them.

P.S.

Saturday’s bulletin of ‘easy’ Italian news is free to read and listen to.

I haven’t yet, but plan to. Click here to beat me to it!

A mercoledì.

OnlineItalianClub.com | EasyItalianNews.com | EasyReaders.org (ebooks) | NativeSpeakerTeachers.com (1-1 lessons)