Sant' Ilario

Sant' Ilario is the second book of the four-part Saracinesca series by Francis Marion Crawford, one of the most iconic English-speaking authors of the 19th century. This story touches on many riveting themes, including romance, jealousy, begrudgery, and forgiveness. This novel is the sequel to Saracinesca and precedes the Don Orsino and Corleone novels.

The story is set in Italy and follows the journeys of the colorful characters first introduced in Saracinesca. The novel begins at a leisurely pace and shows Giovanni and Corona with their new family. However, the story quickly takes a much more climactic turn, and the couple's love is put to the test. Many other harrowing events eventually ensue. The story takes the readers into 19th-century Italy and delves into the complex social images of the time. The novel captures the beautiful elegance of 19th-century Romanticism while also touching on the darker elements of elitism and social anguish.

Crawford keeps readers on the edge of their seats in this nail-biting story of love, betrayal, murder, and suicide. It is no wonder that Sant' Ilario has been one of the most gripping novels for over 130 years. Crawford was a true renaissance man of his time, which comes through with the words and plot of this epic story.