Stories from the Pentamerone
The Pentamerone, written in Neapolitan dialect by Giambattista Basile and published after his death in the 1630s, is the earliest European collection made up entirely of fairy tales. Its frame story concerns Zoza, a princess who never laughs, and the trick by which a slave usurps her rightful husband, and the tales themselves are told over five days by a company of old women. This English selection gives a large share of them, including early versions of the stories later known as Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty, alongside ogres, enchanted animals, foolish youths and clever girls. Basile tells them with a baroque love of proverb, comic insult and absurd detail. The full text is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, and the first story is free.
Start reading right away, without signing up. The complete text is included in Vinteuil Reading, or yours forever with a one-time purchase.
Frequently asked questions about Stories from the Pentamerone
Stories from the Pentamerone by Giambattista Basile can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read Stories from the Pentamerone online?
Yes. Stories from the Pentamerone opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is Stories from the Pentamerone free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of Stories from the Pentamerone is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is Stories from the Pentamerone in the public domain?
Yes. Stories from the Pentamerone by Giambattista Basile is a public-domain work. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read Stories from the Pentamerone?
About 5 h 15 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is Stories from the Pentamerone?
Stories from the Pentamerone by Giambattista Basile is filed under "Religion & Mythology" in the Vinteuil library.
