Join us on a literary world trip!
Add this book to bookshelf
Grey
Write a new comment Default profile 50px
Grey
Subscribe to read the full book or read the first pages for free!
All characters reduced
Colomba - cover

Colomba

Prosper Mérimée

Publisher: CLXBX

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

Summary

Colomba by Prosper Mérimée is a gripping tale of honor, loyalty, and vengeance set against the rugged and untamed landscape of Corsica. Rich in atmosphere and psychological tension, this classic novella explores the powerful pull of family duty and the clash between tradition and modern ideals.

The story follows Orso della Rebbia, a young man returning to his homeland after serving in the French army. Educated and shaped by broader European influences, Orso hopes to rebuild his life peacefully. However, he soon finds himself drawn into a long-standing family feud that demands retribution for his father's death. At the center of this conflict stands his sister, Colomba—a fiercely devoted and determined woman who embodies the spirit of Corsican tradition.

Colomba is resolute in her belief that justice must be served according to the island's ancient code of honor. Her unwavering insistence that Orso avenge their father places him in a moral struggle between his civilized upbringing and the expectations of his heritage. As tension mounts, Orso must decide whether to uphold the law of the land or yield to the call of blood loyalty.

Mérimée masterfully portrays Corsica as more than a setting—it becomes a living force, shaped by wild terrain, proud communities, and deeply rooted customs. The stark beauty of the island mirrors the intensity of its people, where emotions run high and reputation holds immense power. Through vivid descriptions and sharp dialogue, the author immerses readers in a society governed by tradition and bound by unspoken codes.

At its heart, Colomba is a study of character and conviction. The titular heroine is both compelling and formidable, driven by love for her family and an unshakable sense of justice. Her strength contrasts with Orso's internal conflict, creating a narrative charged with suspense and emotional depth.

Blending romance, drama, and cultural insight, Colomba remains a timeless exploration of loyalty, identity, and the consequences of vengeance. Mérimée's elegant prose and keen psychological insight ensure that this novella continues to resonate with readers who appreciate powerful storytelling rooted in place and passion.
Available since: 02/19/2026.
Print length: 172 pages.

Other books that might interest you

  • A Pavilion on the Links - cover

    A Pavilion on the Links

    Robert Louis Stevenson

    • 0
    • 0
    • 0
    On the storm-swept coast of Scotland, where the sea claws at the land and the wind carries whispers of danger, a man seeks refuge in a lonely pavilion — and finds himself entangled in a web of love, betrayal, and survival. 
    Robert Louis Stevenson’s A Pavilion on the Links is a masterwork of gothic adventure and romantic suspense — often hailed as one of the earliest modern thrillers. First published in 1880, this gripping tale follows a solitary wanderer who discovers two mysterious occupants hiding from assassins in a desolate seaside house. As the storm rages outside, secrets unfold within, revealing a past that refuses to stay buried. 
    With its haunting atmosphere and emotional intensity, A Pavilion on the Links stands as one of Stevenson’s finest short works — a precursor to Treasure Island and The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde — where human passion and peril meet under the shadow of the Scottish sky. 
    Narrated by John Riddle, this immersive performance brings every gust of wind, every secret glance, and every moment of dread to vivid life.
    Show book
  • A Problem Princess - cover

    A Problem Princess

    Anna Harrington

    • 0
    • 0
    • 0
    General Clayton Elliott, Home Office Undersecretary and new viscount, gets suspicious when London is too quiet. Everyone says that the anarchist group he's been fighting died along with its leader, but his instincts say just the opposite. Then he meets Her Serene Highness Princess Cordelia of Monrovia. Resigned to doing her duty for her country, she is in London to make a match with a royal duke—and as a royal princess, she has no say in which duke she'll marry. But when she is shockingly attacked at a party, Clayton becomes her bodyguard. Is there a connection between the evil group Scepter and whoever apparently wants the princess dead? The longer Clayton and Cordelia spend evading her enemies and pursuing their individual missions, the more they realize they can depend only on each other... This gorgeous, danger-filled Regency romance is one fans of Sarah MacLean, Elizabeth Hoyt, and Bridgerton won't want to miss!
    Show book
  • Mermaid Rising - cover

    Mermaid Rising

    C. L. Savage

    • 0
    • 0
    • 0
    It was the quiet after the storm. I sat up in bed - what had awakened me? I tried to sit still to listen, but my heart was pounding. Throwing off the covers I turned to look out at the rising moon shining brilliantly through the departing storm clouds, its silver lighting up my room. 
    Goosebumps rose on my arms and I tried to rub them down. At the gym pool, I peered down from the diving board, watching as the rising moon cast its light upon the water. Moonlight trailed into the water and bubbles began to rise from the bottom, the pool thrilling to the moonlight as its water called to me. 
    Caught up in the moonlight’s song, I dove in an arc into the still waters, shattering the moon’s reflection. Blissful waters greeted me, calling to me as one of its own. It was a thrilling experience as instead of the expected pool bottom, a sparkling undersea vista welcomed me.
    Show book
  • Faraway Paladin The: Volume Three Primus - The Lord of the Rust Mountains - cover

    Faraway Paladin The: Volume...

    Kanata Yanagino

    • 0
    • 0
    • 0
    But order has not completely been restored to this faraway land; strange things are happening, starting with plants blooming out of season and dying at random. At Duke Ethel's request, Will and Menel are off to investigate, not knowing that their journey will lead them to an ominous prophecy and the Rust Mountains, the capital of the dwarves.
    Show book
  • Savage Devil - cover

    Savage Devil

    Josie Max

    • 0
    • 0
    • 0
    My mother died the night the devil strolled into my life. He found me. Saved me from her fate. He wrote me a little note explaining what he planned for me.  
     
     
     
    Roses are dead. Violets are black and blue. Watch out, little girl. I'm going to destroy you. 
     
     
     
    As the new girl from the south side of town going to a prestigious academy for my senior year, I never expected welcoming open arms. But the bloody nose on my first day was a surprise. And the threat. And the . . . well, let me just say behind the botoxed smiles and shiny sports cars were the worst sort of people. 
     
     
     
    And there was one that brought them to their knees. One who ruled Green Hills Academy like the monarchs he descended from. Knight King hated me. Hated what I represented. Hated that I wasn't wealthy and that I dared to enter his world. 
     
     
     
    He was used to getting his way. Everyone did what he told them. He tried to rule me, but I was a fighter. 
     
     
     
    My name's Violet, and I was anything but a shrinking flower. 
     
     
     
    Contains mature themes.
    Show book
  • Someone You Love - cover

    Someone You Love

    Kristen Granata

    • 0
    • 0
    • 0
    Charly Johnson created a bucket list when cancer left her mother with less than a year to live. They didn't make it all the way through the list before she died, but she made Charly promise to finish it and live her life to the fullest. 
     
     
     
    Spending the summer in a coastal mountain city in Maine is next on her list. The scenic town is perfect for finding adventure, and the quirky inn owner makes her feel right at home in the guest house. 
     
     
     
    Except for the fact that her new living quarters belong to the owner's grump of a nephew. 
     
     
     
    Bryce Holden was an NFL player before sustaining a career-ending spinal injury. The people he thought would stand by his side left him when he was no longer a football star. Now, he prefers to live his life as a recluse, keeping outsiders at arm's length where his heart is safe. 
     
     
     
    The last thing Bryce needs is to fall for a beautiful woman who will leave him like everyone else. But when he sees Charly's incomplete bucket list, and the bruised heart she wears on her sleeve, he resolves to help her on her journey. 
     
     
     
    Even if it means losing her at the end of it. 
     
     
     
    Contains mature themes.
    Show book