With his novels, short stories, and plays, Giovanni Verga (1840-1922) achieved renown in the Italian verismo (realist) school of writing. This outstanding selection of 12 short stories -- most from the Sicilian writer's Vita dei campi (Rural Life) and Novelle rusticane (Rustic Stories) -- attests to his storytelling skills.Selections include Nedda, a short story that initiated Verga's naturalistic depictions of Sicilian peasant life; the much-celebrated Cavalleria Rusticana (Rustic Chivalry), a tale of flirtation, jealousy, and a deadly duel; and L'amante di Gramigna (Gramigna's Mistress), a fascinating psychological study. The collection also features Reverie, Jeli the Herdsman, Nasty Redhead, The She-Wolf, Pestilential Air, Possessions, The History of St. Joseph's Donkey, Dark Bread, and Liberty.For this dual-language book, the editor has provided excellent new English translations on pages facing the original Italian text, as well as an informative Introduction and notes.