I read The Betrothed by Alessandro Manzoni.
Renzo and Lucia wish to marry but a tyrant named Don Rodrigo prevents the nuptials by intimidating and threatening the local officials. The young couple are separated and whisked away out of town and out of the reach of Don Rodrigo.
The young couple survive separation, riots, arrest, kidnapping, famine, war and pestilence to reunite. They forgive those that tried to keep them apart and thank those that helped bring them together. They marry, have lots of children and live happily ever after.
Manzoni breaks off from the main narrative twice to describe the bubonic plague's devastating effects on Italy and to relate the history of a nun at the convent where Lucia hides from Don Rodrigo.
Manzoni's masterful use of language is evident on the first page and the beautiful prose continues throughout the novel. He is humble and repeats often that he wishes not to bore the reader. He has no reason to be humble. This reader was not bored.
