The Florios of Sicily: A Novel

Written by Stefania Auci

Narrated by Edoardo Ballerini

Based on the true history of the uncrowned kings of Sicily: the story of a family, restless and ambitious, shrewd and determined to be richer and more powerful than anybody else. 

In this grand, sweeping epic inspired by the real lives of history-making titans, international best-selling author Stefania Auci brings to life the dark secrets, the loves and betrayals, and the cruel acts of revenge that marked the Florio family’s century of influence.

The Florios arrive in Sicily, with nothing but the clothes on their back after an earthquake destroys their hometown. Against all odds, the family begins anew despite the looming Napoleonic wars and devastating plagues. But when Vincenzo is spurned by his aristocratic lover, he vows to avenge his honor by becoming the wealthiest man in Italy. Sacrificing love and family, he strives to buy what cannot be his by birth. Not to be outdone by the men, the Florio women unapologetically demand their place outside the restraints of caring mothers, alluring lovers, or wounded wives. Giulia, though only a mistress, is fiercely intelligent and runs the empire from the shadows. Angelina, born a bastard, charts her own future against the wishes of her father.

In this epic yet intimate tale of power, passion, and revenge, the rise and fall of a family taps into the universal desire to become more than who we are born as.

Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperAudio
• Release date: Apr 21, 2020
• ISBN: 9780062998736

Stefania Auci

Stefania Auci, a Trapani-born, Palermo-adopted teacher, is author of The Florios of Sicily, a literary sensation that went on to sell over 1,500,000 copies in Italy alone before being published in over 40 countries and forming the basis of The Lions of Sicily, a successful series available on Disney+ and Hulu. 

Reviews for The Florios of Sicily

[julieta0691 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Beautiful story of a rise of a family, how their hard works paid off by increasing their business each generation.

How they were seemed and treated as foreigners and labor class with no title and how they had to give up and make sacrifices in order to survive and reserve their good name within the society they live within.

It was a period when male as head of the family, and woman as a part of the husband but in the end both do their best part of the role to keep the family going, stronger and prosper.

It is all about the greater good for the family instead of selfishness of one’s own. I actually really admire those old ages when respect comes before anything and each one of the family play a good part with one common goal.

Unfortunately, I feel that This sense of Community and family is what is missing nowadays.

Loved the book, as I have always admired the time of the 50 and 60’. Really enjoyed it

[acia-11 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I think there are different ways to read this book: with an interest in history, with an interest in the Florio family, and with an interest in how the human stories unfolded. I was interested in the latter. In this regard, two things are the most striking: - first, how appaling the women were treated from birth; - and second, how Ignazio, the bedrock of the family; and Giulia, the outcast, who were both immersed in the same society bounded by the same rules behaved differently from the others. I was mostly disappointed with Giuseppina, Vicenzo's mother. She internalized the patriarchy and allowed it to grow roots in her. The book pulls the heartstrings and at times feels like a soap opera but it is well researched and structured. I believe the main question is why are the Florio considered a remarkable family. They certainly beat the odds, had business acumen, amassed formidable wealth, married into nobility, built a powerful network of influence coming from very humble beginnings but by the end of the book it appears they built it all to themselves.