The Garden of the Finzi-Continis
"The Garden of the Finzi-Continis" is a novel by Italian author Giorgio Bassani, published in 1962. Set in the 1930s in Ferrara, Italy, it tells the story of a wealthy Jewish family, the Finzi-Continis, who live in a grand villa surrounded by a beautiful garden. The narrative explores themes of love, loss, and the impact of rising anti-Semitism during the fascist regime.
The story is narrated by a young man who is infatuated with Micol Finzi-Contini, a member of the family. As the political climate worsens, the garden becomes a symbol of both refuge and isolation, reflecting the characters' struggles against societal changes and their personal relationships.