Fall of the Florios

A Novel

By Stefania Auci | Publisher: HarperCollins

About the book

The epic saga behind the Disney-produced Hulu series The Lions of Sicily

The magnificent third installment of the Florio story—a sweeping, decadent, and romantic finale to this unforgettable family saga that tells the story of Italy’s most powerful and notorious family as it faces its dramatic end.

After triumph and brilliance, the Sicilian Lions enter their fall . . .

Glory is fleeting, fate sometimes cruel. For more than sixty years, during the height of Gilded Age Italy, the Florios have reigned supreme, establishing the city of Palermo as a European beacon of commerce, and making Sicily one of Italy’s most powerful regions. But now fate has taken a turn. As social and economic pressures erode the stability of a young Italy, the Florios—despite their wealth and power—must watch as their iron grip over the South begins to weaken.

Following in the steps of the father he idolized, Ignazzidu, now Don Ignazio, finds himself commanding the Florio family’s interests and enterprises. Negligent, impetuous, and headstrong, he is everything his industrious father was not. But while he struggles to live up to the family name, his charming and loyal wife Franca rises to the occasion. A gracious and formidable host, Franca’s hospitality becomes unmatched across Europe, informally crowned the \"Queen of Palermo\" as she holds court with an esteemed coterie of luminaries from the womanizing Puccini to the scandalous Boldini in a story rich with Sicilian history.

Yet as the tides of fortune change—economic hardships, war, and human loss- their relationship will be put to the test and Franca will find that even a love as devoted as hers may falter. But the biggest threat to their survival is the death of an heir. In losing the flesh of his flesh, Ignazio—who succeeded his father without the strength or conviction to do so—will ultimately oversee the collapse of an empire built by his family’s ambition, cunning, and sweat.

What kind of future will the Florios have now? Will anything remain of their greatness?

Translated from the Italian by Katherine Gregor and Howard Curtis.

Editions of Fall of the Florios

Paperback
ISBN 9780063389151
EBook
ISBN 9780063389144

Read an Excerpt

The epic saga behind the Disney-produced Hulu series The Lions of Sicily

The magnificent third installment of the Florio story—a sweeping, decadent, and romantic finale to this unforgettable family saga that tells the story of Italy’s most powerful and notorious family as it faces its dramatic end.

After triumph and brilliance, the Sicilian Lions enter their fall . . .

Glory is fleeting, fate sometimes cruel. For more than sixty years, during the height of Gilded Age Italy, the Florios have reigned supreme, establishing the city of Palermo as a European beacon of commerce, and making Sicily one of Italy’s most powerful regions. But now fate has taken a turn. As social and economic pressures erode the stability of a young Italy, the Florios—despite their wealth and power—must watch as their iron grip over the South begins to weaken.

Following in the steps of the father he idolized, Ignazzidu, now Don Ignazio, finds himself commanding the Florio family’s interests and enterprises. Negligent, impetuous, and headstrong, he is everything his industrious father was not. But while he struggles to live up to the family name, his charming and loyal wife Franca rises to the occasion. A gracious and formidable host, Franca’s hospitality becomes unmatched across Europe, informally crowned the \"Queen of Palermo\" as she holds court with an esteemed coterie of luminaries from the womanizing Puccini to the scandalous Boldini in a story rich with Sicilian history.

Yet as the tides of fortune change—economic hardships, war, and human loss- their relationship will be put to the test and Franca will find that even a love as devoted as hers may falter. But the biggest threat to their survival is the death of an heir. In losing the flesh of his flesh, Ignazio—who succeeded his father without the strength or conviction to do so—will ultimately oversee the collapse of an empire built by his family’s ambition, cunning, and sweat.

What kind of future will the Florios have now? Will anything remain of their greatness?

Translated from the Italian by Katherine Gregor and Howard Curtis.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Fall of the Florios about?

The epic saga behind the Disney-produced Hulu series The Lions of Sicily

The magnificent third installment of the Florio story—a sweeping, decadent, and romantic finale to this unforgettable family saga that tells the story of Italy’s most powerful and notorious family as it faces its dramatic end.

After triumph and brilliance, the Sicilian Lions enter their fall . . .

Glory is fleeting, fate sometimes cruel. For more than sixty years, during the height of Gilded Age Italy, the Florios have reigned supreme, establishing the city of Palermo as a European beacon of commerce, and making Sicily one of Italy’s most powerful regions. But now fate has taken a turn. As social and economic pressures erode the stability of a young Italy, the Florios—despite their wealth and power—must watch as their iron grip over the South begins to weaken.

Following in the steps of the father he idolized, Ignazzidu, now Don Ignazio, finds himself commanding the Florio family’s interests and enterprises. Negligent, impetuous, and headstrong, he is everything his industrious father was not. But while he struggles to live up to the family name, his charming and loyal wife Franca rises to the occasion. A gracious and formidable host, Franca’s hospitality becomes unmatched across Europe, informally crowned the \"Queen of Palermo\" as she holds court with an esteemed coterie of luminaries from the womanizing Puccini to the scandalous Boldini in a story rich with Sicilian history.

Yet as the tides of fortune change—economic hardships, war, and human loss- their relationship will be put to the test and Franca will find that even a love as devoted as hers may falter. But the biggest threat to their survival is the death of an heir. In losing the flesh of his flesh, Ignazio—who succeeded his father without the strength or conviction to do so—will ultimately oversee the collapse of an empire built by his family’s ambition, cunning, and sweat.

What kind of future will the Florios have now? Will anything remain of their greatness?

Translated from the Italian by Katherine Gregor and Howard Curtis.

What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Fall of the Florios?

Fiction > Historical fiction

Where can I read a sample of Fall of the Florios?

You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780063389151

Who is/are the Author/s of the book Fall of the Florios?

Stefania Auci

Who is the Publisher of the book Fall of the Florios?

HarperCollins

What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?

Fall of the Florios is available as paperback(ISBN 9780063389151) and ebook(ISBN 9780063389144)

Where can I buy Fall of the Florios online or support local independent bookshops?

You can buy Fall of the Florios from below

Where can I buy Fall of the Florios?