The Dragon the Witch and the Daughters: Translated by Michael Curtotti

From a master of Italian verismo comes a classic short story of the genre, but with a twist. As characters come into conflict with each other, and “the Dragon” with himself, Capuana weaves together the grimness of real life with threads of subtle fairytale.

For the first time translated into English by Michael Curtotti, The Dragon the Witch and the Daughters, transports us into the life of a nineteenth century village. Don Paolo Drago, “dragon by name, dragon by nature,” appears to dominate this world, yet he barely controls his own thoughts and feelings. Despite himself, he is drawn into the destiny of two orphans.

Yet tragedy stalks the life of Don Paolo. His own daughters and wife are dead and long buried in the grave. Like a living ghost, he waits for death, carrying on a wretched existence. His bitterness is his one defense, in a world full of emptiness. Yet the arrival of the orphans challenges everything he has believed.

Could his daughters really return from the grave?

Of the author:

“ … the iconic representative in Italy of the art of Zola or the natural …” Luigi Pirandello (winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature)

“… a leader of the verismo movement … [who] himself rebelled [against it]” Hilda Norman

“… an erudite researcher and collector of tales …” Gina Miele