Le novelle del Decameron
12 selected short stories rewritten in easy and modern Italian for beginners and intermediate learners (A2-B1)

 by Laura Tegazzin, Simplicio Stella

Questo libro è stato scelto dal gruppo di lettura
CONVERSAZIONI DI ITALIANO

      

Have you ever wondered how our ancestors lived in the 1300s? Between forbidden loves, subtle games of seduction, sharp wit, and memorable pranks, the Decameron tells stories that are vivid and full of life, far from the tales of knights and princesses. These novellas reveal humanity in its truest shades, from hidden desires to brilliant cunning.

Decameron is one of the most captivating and significant works of Italian literature, written by Giovanni Boccaccio in the 14th century. It consists of 100 short stories told by ten young people –seven women and three men – who seek refuge outside Florence to escape the Black Plague.
This book offers 12 of the most famous and representative novellas from the Decameron, specifically rewritten for Italian learners at the A2-B1 level. The adaptations simplify the language while preserving the richness of the original stories, making the text accessible and enjoyable for learners.
The selected novellas explore a wide range of themes, from love to cleverness, fortune to deception, providing a window into the life and values of that era.
Each novella is divided into chapters and is accompanied by a glossary, a summary, and a set of questions. These resources are designed to help readers better understand and absorb the text, offering step-by-step guidance throughout the reading experience.
This type of exercise is one of the most effective methods for naturally acquiring new vocabulary and grammatical structures with minimal effort. Through active reading, students learn to recognize vocabulary and language patterns within a narrative context, making it easier to remember and internalize the language. Consistent exposure to the language through captivating stories transforms the learning process into an enjoyable and seamless experience, as it moves beyond abstract rules and word lists, allowing learners to see how the language functions in practice while sparking their curiosity and motivation to keep reading.