Dictionary.net

A distinguished Italian novelist; born at Sorso in Sardinia, Jan. 10, 1846. His tales were successful from the first, which was "Two Amours" (1869). Among the others are "A Secret" (1870); "Forbidden Fruit"; "Romance of a Widower"; "Dounina's Treasure"; "Courage and Onward"; "Little Don Quixote" (1890); "Living for Love" (1890); "For Life and for Death" (1891). The sympathy with lowly life and the rich humor of his stories have gained him the title of "The Italian Dickens". He is the best known abroad of all Italian novelists.