March 13: Before Nobility Ran Tea Rooms (Vol. 21, pp. 318-332)

Count Alessandro's Manzoni's "I Promessi Sposi," a historical novel set in the Milan on the 1630s, is supposed to be a masterpiece. But the real reason why this book was included in full in this series is that it was one of Dr. Eliot's favorite books. If you're into the sumptuous life of 17th century nobles, you might like it. Otherwise, it is as dense and unreadable as anything from its era.