Don Orsino

Don Orsino is a novel by F. Marion Crawford, first published in 1892. It is the third book in Crawford's "Saracinesca" series, which explores the lives of the Italian aristocracy in 19th-century Rome. The series includes:

Saracinesca (1887)

Sant' Ilario (1889)

Don Orsino (1892)

Corleone (1896)

Don Orsino follows the story of Orsino Saracinesca, the youngest son of Giovanni Saracinesca and Corona (the protagonists of the earlier novels). The novel captures Orsino's struggles as he navigates love, politics, and financial ventures in a rapidly changing Italy

The Saracinesca series is considered one of Crawford's finest achievements, offering a vivid portrayal of aristocratic life in Italy during a time of great social change. Don Orsino stands out for its focus on the younger generation's struggles in adapting to modernity.

About the Author

Francis Marion Crawford (1854-1909) was a prolific American writer, best known for his numerous novels and classic weird and fantastical stories. Born in Italy, he spent much of his life abroad, particularly in Italy, which became the setting for many of his works.

Crawford was born in Bagni di Lucca, Italy, the only son of American sculptor Thomas Crawford. He received a diverse education, studying at St. Paul's School, Cambridge University, the University of Heidelberg, and the University of Rome. In 1879, he traveled to India, where he studied Sanskrit and edited the Allahabad Indian Herald. Upon returning to America, he continued his Sanskrit studies at Harvard and contributed to various periodicals.

His literary career took off with the publication of his first novel, Mr. Isaacs (1882), which quickly achieved success. This was followed by Doctor Claudius (1883). In 1883, he returned to Italy, where he resided permanently, eventually purchasing and remodeling the Villa Renzi, which became Villa Crawford, in Sant'Agnello. He also wrote historical works, including Ave Roma Immortalis (1898) and The Rulers of the South (1900).

Crawford was incredibly prolific, producing some forty novels and a play. At the height of his career, his books outsold those of any other contemporary fiction writer in England or the United States. He died in 1909 in Sorrento, Italy.