Colomba (novella)

Colomba is a short story by Prosper Mérimée which first appeared on 1 July 1840 in the Revue des Deux Mondes, and was first published as a single volume in 1841 by Magen et Comon.

Plot Summary

Through the lens of historical fiction, the novella examines the Corsican vendetta. In the story, Orso is forced to consider whether he should avenge the death of his father, purportedly perpetrated by the Barricini family. An Englishwoman, Lydia Nevil, attempts to dissuade him from murder, while his sister, Colomba, uses all her cunning to ensure the opposite result.

Characters

The characters in the novel include:

• Brandolaccio "Brando" Savelli - a friendly Corsican outlaw
• Brusco - Brando's dog
• Colomba della Rebbia - the titular character and sister to Orso
• Colonel Nevil - Lydia's father
• Giudice Barricini - a barrister and head of the Barricini family
• le Curé - a former theology student, now an outlaw
• Lydia Nevil - an Englishwoman and romantic interest of Orso
• Orlanduccio Barricini - son of Giudice Barricini
• Orso della Rebbia - Colomba's brother
• Vincentello Barricini - son of Giudice Barricini