The epic saga behind the Disney-produced Hulu Original Series The Lions of SicilyBased on the true history of the uncrowned kings of Sicily: the story of a family, restless and ambitious, shrewd and determined to be richer and more powerful than anybody else. In this grand, sweeping epic inspired by the real lives of history-making titans, international best-selling author Stefania Auci brings to life the dark secrets, the loves and betrayals, and the cruel acts of revenge that marked the Florio family’s century of influence.The Florios arrive in Sicily, with nothing but the clothes on their back after an earthquake destroys their hometown. Against all odds, the family begins anew despite the looming Napoleonic wars and devastating plagues. But when Vincenzo is spurned by his aristocratic lover, he vows to avenge his honor by becoming the wealthiest man in Italy. Sacrificing love and family, he strives to buy what cannot be his by birth. Not to be outdone by the men, the Florio women unapologetically demand their place outside the restraints of caring mothers, alluring lovers, or wounded wives. Giulia, though only a mistress, is fiercely intelligent and runs the empire from the shadows. Angelina, born a bastard, charts her own future against the wishes of her father.In this epic yet intimate tale of power, passion, and revenge, the rise and fall of a family taps into the universal desire to become more than who we are born as.Translated from the Italian by Katherine Gregor

The epic retelling of a real Sicilian peasant family''s rise & fall—the basis for the Disney-produced Hulu Original Series The Lions of Sicily."Beautifully written, impossible to put down, the powerful Florios of Sicily are alive on every page." —Peter Golden, author of Nothing Is ForgottenIn this sweeping saga inspired by the real lives of history-making titans, international bestselling author Stefania Auci brings to life the dark secrets, the loves and betrayals, and the cruel acts of revenge that marked the Florio family''s century of influence.When the Florios arrive in Sicily after an earthquake destroys their beloved home, they own nothing but the clothes on their back. Against all odds, the family begins anew amid devastating plagues and the looming Napoleonic wars. However, a lover''s betrayal spurs prodigal son Vincenzo to seek revenge. He vows to restore his honor by becoming the wealthiest man in Italy, and nothing will get in his way.An intimate, epic tale of power, passion, and revenge, The Florios of Sicily portrays the rise and fall of a family determined to take control of their own destinies . . .at any price.Translated from the Italian by Katherine Gregor"Auci focuses a panoramic lens on the Florio family''s achievements while never losing sight of the smaller personal details of their (epic) lives." —Kirkus Reviews"Auci expertly weaves the details of the times and locations through the various historical events. Her many characters all ring true. Their true-to-life interactions, emotions and dialogue make it easy for readers to care. Her prose is clean but hardly dull. . . . Overall, this epic tale is a pleasure. Highly recommended." —Historical Novel Society

The basis for the Disney-produced series on Hulu The Lions of Sicily“A blazing epic of countless twists and turns.”—Le Figaro"A compelling combination of historical sweep and family drama" –Kirkus ReviewsFrom the author of the acclaimed The Florios of Sicily, a magnificent novel that explores the origins of one of Italy’s most powerful and notorious families, men and women whose ruthless ambition and caprice would chart the course of modern Italian history—a tale of grand historical dramas, exotic locales, political intrigue, and heartbreaking romance that rivals the bestselling works of Philippa Gregory, Jennifer Chiaverini, and Adriana Trigiani.Known as the Lions of Sicily, the Florios have officially arrived. Once rich only in ambition, the family has amassed a fortune that includes palaces, factories, ships, silks, and jewels. The city of Sicily admires them, honors them and, above all, fears them.Ignazio was destined to rule Casa Florio since birth, a fearless drive that pulses through his veins, pushing him to look beyond Sicily towards Rome, Europe and its courts, the naval domination of the Mediterranean, and eventually the purchase of the entire Archipelago of the Egadi to build his dazzling empire. But his heart is black as ice. To seize Casa Florio, he abandoned the love of his life—an act of treachery which still casts a dark shadow.Barely twenty, his son Ignazziddu stands to inherit all that his father has built. Yet he is nothing like Ignazio. A nervous young man, he does not want to be shackled to his infamous name, to sacrifice himself for the family. Despite his fears, he embraces Ignazio’s legacy, and must face a world that changes too quickly, agitated by new, violent, and uncontrollable forces. Ignazziddu eventually realizes that it’s not enough to have Florio blood to become the imposing force his grandfather and father were. What is it they had that he lacks?Beside father and son are two extraordinary women: Giovanna, Ignazio’s wife, hard and fragile as crystal, full of passion but hungry for love, and Franca, the wife of Ignazziddu, the most beautiful woman in Europe, whose golden existence is threatened by the blows of a cruel fate. It is these women who unforgettably animate The Triumph of the Lions.Bringing the Belle Epoque into stunning relief, Auci dives deeper into the exhilarating and terrible, glorious and tragic history of a family that, for decades, sat high above Italian society, and made the heart of an island and city beat.Translated from the Italian by Katherine Gregor and Howard Curtis

The basis for the upcoming Disney+ series The Lions of SicilyA blazing epic of countless twists and turns, detailing one of the most influential Sicilian dynasties of the last two centuries.Le FigaroFrom the author of the acclaimed The Florios of Sicily, a magnificent novel that explores the origins of one of Italys most powerful and notorious families, men and women whose ruthless ambition and caprice would chart the course of modern Italian historya tale of grand historical dramas, exotic locales, political intrigue, and heartbreaking romance that rivals the bestselling works of Philippa Gregory, Jennifer Chiaverini, and Adriana Trigiani.Known as the Lions of Sicily, the Florios have officially arrived. Once rich only in ambition, the family has amassed a fortune that includes palaces, factories, ships, silks, and jewels. The city of Sicily admires them, honors them and, above all, fears them.Ruthless Vincenzo was destined to rule Casa Florio since birth, a fearless drive that pulses through his veins, pushing him to look beyond Sicily towards Rome, Europe and its courts, the naval domination of the Mediterranean, and eventually the purchase of the entire Archipelago of the Egadi to build his dazzling empire. But his heart is black as ice. To seize Casa Florio, he abandoned the love of his lifean act of treachery which still casts a dark shadow.Barely twenty, his son Ignazziddu inherits all that his father has built. Yet he is nothing like Ignatius. A nervous young man, he does not want to be shackled to his infamous name, to sacrifice himself for the family. Despite his fears, he embraces Vincenzos legacy, and must face a world that changes too quickly, agitated by new, violent, and uncontrollable forces. Ignazziddu eventually realizes that its not enough to have Florio blood to become the imposing force his grandfather and father were. What is it they had that he lacks?Beside father and son are two extraordinary women: Giovanna, Vincenzos wife, hard and fragile as crystal, full of passion but hungry for love, and Franca, the wife of Ignazziddu, the most beautiful woman in Europe, whose golden existence is shattered under the blows of a cruel fate. It is these women who unforgettably animate The Triumph of the Lions.Bringing the Belle Epoque into stunning relief, Auci dives deeper into the exhilarating and terrible, glorious and tragic history of a family that, for decades, sat high above Italian society, and made the heart of an island and city beat.

The epic saga behind the Disney-produced Hulu series The Lions of SicilyThe magnificent third installment of the Florio story–a sweeping, decadent, and romantic finale that tells the story of Italy’s most powerful and notorious family as it faces its dramatic end.After triumph and brilliance, the Sicilian Lions enter their fall . . .Glory is fleeting, fate sometimes cruel. For more than sixty years, the Florios have reigned supreme, establishing the city of Palermo as a European beacon of commerce, and making Sicily one of Italy’s most powerful regions. But now fate has taken a turn. As social and economic pressures erode the stability of a young Italy, the Florios—despite their wealth and power—must watch as their iron grip over the South begins to weaken.Following in the steps of the father he idolized, Ignazzidu, now Don Ignazio, finds himself commanding the Florio family’s interests and enterprises. Negligent, impetuous, and headstrong, he is everything his industrious father was not. But while he struggles to live up to the family name, his charming and loyal wife Franca rises to the occasion. A gracious and formidable host, Franca’s hospitality becomes unmatched across Europe, informally crowned the “Queen of Palermo” as she holds court with an esteemed coterie of luminaries from the womanizing Puccini to the scandalous Boldini.Yet as the tides of fortune change– economic hardships, war, and human loss- their relationship will be put to the test and Franca will find that even a love as devoted as hers may falter. But the biggest threat to their survival is the death of an heir. In losing the flesh of his flesh, Ignazio—who succeeded his father without the strength or conviction to do so—will ultimately oversee the collapse of an empire built by his family’s ambition, cunning, and sweat.What kind of future will the Florios have now? Will anything remain of their greatness?Translated from the Italian by Katherine Gregor and Howard Curtis.

Siitä hetkestä lähtien, kun Florion veljekset Paolo ja Ignazio vuonna 1799 lähtevät Calabriasta Sisiliaan, heidän katseensa ja toiveensa suuntaavat tulevaisuuteen. He ovat energisiä, kunnianhimoisia ja päättäväisiä. He haluavat edetä muita ylemmäs, tulla muita rikkaammiksi ja vaikutusvaltaisemmiksi. Ja he onnistuvat siinä. Lyhyessä ajassa Paolon ja Ignazion yrttipuodista tulee Palermon suurin rohdoskasviliike. Seuraavaksi he alkavat käydä kauppaa rikillä, omantunnontuskaa tuntematta ostavat köyhtyneiden aatelisten maatiloja, perustavat oman laivayhtiön... Paolon poika Vincenzo on säälimätön liikemies. Kun hän ottaa perheyrityksen hoitoonsa, Casa Florion kasvu vain kiihtyy. Casa Florion viinitiloilla perinteisesti köyhän kansan viinistä - marsalasta - kehitetään arvostettu tuote aatelisten ja kuninkaallisten pöytiin. Perheen ”tonnarat”, tonnikalan tuotantolaitokset alkavat tuottaa oliiviöljyyn säilöttyä purkkitonnikalaa, jota myydään pian kaikkialle Eurooppaan. Palermon aateli seuraa hämmentyneenä Florion perheen menestystä. Ylpeät palermolaiset ruhtinaat ja paronit tuntevat kateutta ja halveksuntaa. Menestyvät muukalaiset ovat heidän silmissään vain satamajätkiä, joiden veri haisee hielle. He eivät tiedä, että juuri polttava tahto nousta yhteiskunnan arvoasteikolla ajaa Florioita eteenpäin niin hyvässä kuin pahassa. He eivät tiedä, että perheen miehet ovat poikkeuksellisen pystyviä ja tarvitsevat - vaikkeivät sitä koskaan myöntäisikään - rinnalleen yhtä poikkeuksellisen pystyviä naisia. Kuten Giuseppina, Paolon vaimo, joka uhraa kaiken, myös rakkauden, perheen menestyksen vuoksi. Tai Giulia, nuori milanolainen nainen, joka ilmestyy Vincenzon elämään kuin pyörremyrsky, ja josta tulee miehen turvasatama, luja kallio.Kirjan jatko-osa Leijonien talvi (L'inverno dei Leoni) julkaistaan suomeksi syksyllä 2023.

Eeppinen ja intiimi tarina, joka kylpee Välimeren väreissä ja kipinöi intohimon liekeissä Siitä hetkestä lähtien, kun Florion veljekset Paolo ja Ignazio vuonna 1799 lähtevät Calabriasta Sisiliaan, heidän katseensa ja toiveensa suuntaavat tulevaisuuteen. He ovat energisiä, kunnianhimoisia ja päättäväisiä. He haluavat edetä muita ylemmäs, tulla muita rikkaammiksi ja vaikutusvaltaisemmiksi. Ja he onnistuvat siinä. Lyhyessä ajassa Paolon ja Ignazion yrttipuodista tulee Palermon suurin rohdoskasviliike. Seuraavaksi he alkavat käydä kauppaa rikillä, omantunnontuskaa tuntematta ostavat köyhtyneiden aatelisten maatiloja, perustavat oman laivayhtiön... Paolon poika Vincenzo on säälimätön liikemies. Kun hän ottaa perheyrityksen hoitoonsa, Casa Florion kasvu vain kiihtyy. Casa Florion viinitiloilla perinteisesti köyhän kansan viinistä - marsalasta - kehitetään arvostettu tuote aatelisten ja kuninkaallisten pöytiin. Perheen ”tonnarat”, tonnikalan tuotantolaitokset alkavat tuottaa oliiviöljyyn säilöttyä purkkitonnikalaa, jota myydään pian kaikkialle Eurooppaan. Palermon aateli seuraa hämmentyneenä Florion perheen menestystä. Ylpeät palermolaiset ruhtinaat ja paronit tuntevat kateutta ja halveksuntaa. Menestyvät muukalaiset ovat heidän silmissään vain satamajätkiä, joiden veri haisee hielle. He eivät tiedä, että juuri polttava tahto nousta yhteiskunnan arvoasteikolla ajaa Florioita eteenpäin niin hyvässä kuin pahassa. He eivät tiedä, että perheen miehet ovat poikkeuksellisen pystyviä ja tarvitsevat - vaikkeivät sitä koskaan myöntäisikään - rinnalleen yhtä poikkeuksellisen pystyviä naisia. Kuten Giuseppina, Paolon vaimo, joka uhraa kaiken, myös rakkauden, perheen menestyksen vuoksi. Tai Giulia, nuori milanolainen nainen, joka ilmestyy Vincenzon elämään kuin pyörremyrsky, ja josta tulee miehen turvasatama, luja kallio. Stefania Auci piirtää historiaa molemmin käsin ja herättää henkiin tarinan mahtavasta Florion suvusta, joka vuosisadan aikana koki kuuluisuuden, vaurauden ja vaikutusvallan. Kirja on pysytellyt Italian bestsellerlistoilla jo yli kaksi vuotta ja sen oikeudet on myyty 31 kielelle. Kirjasta on tekeillä myös kansainvälinen TV-sarja ja kirjan jatko-osa julkaistaan keväällä 2021.

The epic saga behind the Disney-produced Hulu Original Series The Lions of SicilyBased on the true history of the uncrowned kings of Sicily: the story of a family, restless and ambitious, shrewd and determined to be richer and more powerful than anybody else. In this grand, sweeping epic inspired by the real lives of history-making titans, international best-selling author Stefania Auci brings to life the dark secrets, the loves and betrayals, and the cruel acts of revenge that marked the Florio family’s century of influence.The Florios arrive in Sicily, with nothing but the clothes on their back after an earthquake destroys their hometown. Against all odds, the family begins anew despite the looming Napoleonic wars and devastating plagues. But when Vincenzo is spurned by his aristocratic lover, he vows to avenge his honor by becoming the wealthiest man in Italy. Sacrificing love and family, he strives to buy what cannot be his by birth. Not to be outdone by the men, the Florio women unapologetically demand their place outside the restraints of caring mothers, alluring lovers, or wounded wives. Giulia, though only a mistress, is fiercely intelligent and runs the empire from the shadows. Angelina, born a bastard, charts her own future against the wishes of her father.In this epic yet intimate tale of power, passion, and revenge, the rise and fall of a family taps into the universal desire to become more than who we are born as.Translated from the Italian by Katherine Gregor

The epic retelling of a real Sicilian peasant family''s rise & fall—the basis for the Disney-produced Hulu Original Series The Lions of Sicily."Beautifully written, impossible to put down, the powerful Florios of Sicily are alive on every page." —Peter Golden, author of Nothing Is ForgottenIn this sweeping saga inspired by the real lives of history-making titans, international bestselling author Stefania Auci brings to life the dark secrets, the loves and betrayals, and the cruel acts of revenge that marked the Florio family''s century of influence.When the Florios arrive in Sicily after an earthquake destroys their beloved home, they own nothing but the clothes on their back. Against all odds, the family begins anew amid devastating plagues and the looming Napoleonic wars. However, a lover''s betrayal spurs prodigal son Vincenzo to seek revenge. He vows to restore his honor by becoming the wealthiest man in Italy, and nothing will get in his way.An intimate, epic tale of power, passion, and revenge, The Florios of Sicily portrays the rise and fall of a family determined to take control of their own destinies . . .at any price.Translated from the Italian by Katherine Gregor"Auci focuses a panoramic lens on the Florio family''s achievements while never losing sight of the smaller personal details of their (epic) lives." —Kirkus Reviews"Auci expertly weaves the details of the times and locations through the various historical events. Her many characters all ring true. Their true-to-life interactions, emotions and dialogue make it easy for readers to care. Her prose is clean but hardly dull. . . . Overall, this epic tale is a pleasure. Highly recommended." —Historical Novel Society

The basis for the Disney-produced series on Hulu The Lions of Sicily“A blazing epic of countless twists and turns.”—Le Figaro"A compelling combination of historical sweep and family drama" –Kirkus ReviewsFrom the author of the acclaimed The Florios of Sicily, a magnificent novel that explores the origins of one of Italy’s most powerful and notorious families, men and women whose ruthless ambition and caprice would chart the course of modern Italian history—a tale of grand historical dramas, exotic locales, political intrigue, and heartbreaking romance that rivals the bestselling works of Philippa Gregory, Jennifer Chiaverini, and Adriana Trigiani.Known as the Lions of Sicily, the Florios have officially arrived. Once rich only in ambition, the family has amassed a fortune that includes palaces, factories, ships, silks, and jewels. The city of Sicily admires them, honors them and, above all, fears them.Ignazio was destined to rule Casa Florio since birth, a fearless drive that pulses through his veins, pushing him to look beyond Sicily towards Rome, Europe and its courts, the naval domination of the Mediterranean, and eventually the purchase of the entire Archipelago of the Egadi to build his dazzling empire. But his heart is black as ice. To seize Casa Florio, he abandoned the love of his life—an act of treachery which still casts a dark shadow.Barely twenty, his son Ignazziddu stands to inherit all that his father has built. Yet he is nothing like Ignazio. A nervous young man, he does not want to be shackled to his infamous name, to sacrifice himself for the family. Despite his fears, he embraces Ignazio’s legacy, and must face a world that changes too quickly, agitated by new, violent, and uncontrollable forces. Ignazziddu eventually realizes that it’s not enough to have Florio blood to become the imposing force his grandfather and father were. What is it they had that he lacks?Beside father and son are two extraordinary women: Giovanna, Ignazio’s wife, hard and fragile as crystal, full of passion but hungry for love, and Franca, the wife of Ignazziddu, the most beautiful woman in Europe, whose golden existence is threatened by the blows of a cruel fate. It is these women who unforgettably animate The Triumph of the Lions.Bringing the Belle Epoque into stunning relief, Auci dives deeper into the exhilarating and terrible, glorious and tragic history of a family that, for decades, sat high above Italian society, and made the heart of an island and city beat.Translated from the Italian by Katherine Gregor and Howard Curtis

The basis for the upcoming Disney+ series The Lions of SicilyA blazing epic of countless twists and turns, detailing one of the most influential Sicilian dynasties of the last two centuries.Le FigaroFrom the author of the acclaimed The Florios of Sicily, a magnificent novel that explores the origins of one of Italys most powerful and notorious families, men and women whose ruthless ambition and caprice would chart the course of modern Italian historya tale of grand historical dramas, exotic locales, political intrigue, and heartbreaking romance that rivals the bestselling works of Philippa Gregory, Jennifer Chiaverini, and Adriana Trigiani.Known as the Lions of Sicily, the Florios have officially arrived. Once rich only in ambition, the family has amassed a fortune that includes palaces, factories, ships, silks, and jewels. The city of Sicily admires them, honors them and, above all, fears them.Ruthless Vincenzo was destined to rule Casa Florio since birth, a fearless drive that pulses through his veins, pushing him to look beyond Sicily towards Rome, Europe and its courts, the naval domination of the Mediterranean, and eventually the purchase of the entire Archipelago of the Egadi to build his dazzling empire. But his heart is black as ice. To seize Casa Florio, he abandoned the love of his lifean act of treachery which still casts a dark shadow.Barely twenty, his son Ignazziddu inherits all that his father has built. Yet he is nothing like Ignatius. A nervous young man, he does not want to be shackled to his infamous name, to sacrifice himself for the family. Despite his fears, he embraces Vincenzos legacy, and must face a world that changes too quickly, agitated by new, violent, and uncontrollable forces. Ignazziddu eventually realizes that its not enough to have Florio blood to become the imposing force his grandfather and father were. What is it they had that he lacks?Beside father and son are two extraordinary women: Giovanna, Vincenzos wife, hard and fragile as crystal, full of passion but hungry for love, and Franca, the wife of Ignazziddu, the most beautiful woman in Europe, whose golden existence is shattered under the blows of a cruel fate. It is these women who unforgettably animate The Triumph of the Lions.Bringing the Belle Epoque into stunning relief, Auci dives deeper into the exhilarating and terrible, glorious and tragic history of a family that, for decades, sat high above Italian society, and made the heart of an island and city beat.

The epic saga behind the Disney-produced Hulu series The Lions of SicilyThe magnificent third installment of the Florio story–a sweeping, decadent, and romantic finale that tells the story of Italy’s most powerful and notorious family as it faces its dramatic end.After triumph and brilliance, the Sicilian Lions enter their fall . . .Glory is fleeting, fate sometimes cruel. For more than sixty years, the Florios have reigned supreme, establishing the city of Palermo as a European beacon of commerce, and making Sicily one of Italy’s most powerful regions. But now fate has taken a turn. As social and economic pressures erode the stability of a young Italy, the Florios—despite their wealth and power—must watch as their iron grip over the South begins to weaken.Following in the steps of the father he idolized, Ignazzidu, now Don Ignazio, finds himself commanding the Florio family’s interests and enterprises. Negligent, impetuous, and headstrong, he is everything his industrious father was not. But while he struggles to live up to the family name, his charming and loyal wife Franca rises to the occasion. A gracious and formidable host, Franca’s hospitality becomes unmatched across Europe, informally crowned the “Queen of Palermo” as she holds court with an esteemed coterie of luminaries from the womanizing Puccini to the scandalous Boldini.Yet as the tides of fortune change– economic hardships, war, and human loss- their relationship will be put to the test and Franca will find that even a love as devoted as hers may falter. But the biggest threat to their survival is the death of an heir. In losing the flesh of his flesh, Ignazio—who succeeded his father without the strength or conviction to do so—will ultimately oversee the collapse of an empire built by his family’s ambition, cunning, and sweat.What kind of future will the Florios have now? Will anything remain of their greatness?Translated from the Italian by Katherine Gregor and Howard Curtis.

Siitä hetkestä lähtien, kun Florion veljekset Paolo ja Ignazio vuonna 1799 lähtevät Calabriasta Sisiliaan, heidän katseensa ja toiveensa suuntaavat tulevaisuuteen. He ovat energisiä, kunnianhimoisia ja päättäväisiä. He haluavat edetä muita ylemmäs, tulla muita rikkaammiksi ja vaikutusvaltaisemmiksi. Ja he onnistuvat siinä. Lyhyessä ajassa Paolon ja Ignazion yrttipuodista tulee Palermon suurin rohdoskasviliike. Seuraavaksi he alkavat käydä kauppaa rikillä, omantunnontuskaa tuntematta ostavat köyhtyneiden aatelisten maatiloja, perustavat oman laivayhtiön... Paolon poika Vincenzo on säälimätön liikemies. Kun hän ottaa perheyrityksen hoitoonsa, Casa Florion kasvu vain kiihtyy. Casa Florion viinitiloilla perinteisesti köyhän kansan viinistä - marsalasta - kehitetään arvostettu tuote aatelisten ja kuninkaallisten pöytiin. Perheen ”tonnarat”, tonnikalan tuotantolaitokset alkavat tuottaa oliiviöljyyn säilöttyä purkkitonnikalaa, jota myydään pian kaikkialle Eurooppaan. Palermon aateli seuraa hämmentyneenä Florion perheen menestystä. Ylpeät palermolaiset ruhtinaat ja paronit tuntevat kateutta ja halveksuntaa. Menestyvät muukalaiset ovat heidän silmissään vain satamajätkiä, joiden veri haisee hielle. He eivät tiedä, että juuri polttava tahto nousta yhteiskunnan arvoasteikolla ajaa Florioita eteenpäin niin hyvässä kuin pahassa. He eivät tiedä, että perheen miehet ovat poikkeuksellisen pystyviä ja tarvitsevat - vaikkeivät sitä koskaan myöntäisikään - rinnalleen yhtä poikkeuksellisen pystyviä naisia. Kuten Giuseppina, Paolon vaimo, joka uhraa kaiken, myös rakkauden, perheen menestyksen vuoksi. Tai Giulia, nuori milanolainen nainen, joka ilmestyy Vincenzon elämään kuin pyörremyrsky, ja josta tulee miehen turvasatama, luja kallio.Kirjan jatko-osa Leijonien talvi (L'inverno dei Leoni) julkaistaan suomeksi syksyllä 2023.

Eeppinen ja intiimi tarina, joka kylpee Välimeren väreissä ja kipinöi intohimon liekeissä Siitä hetkestä lähtien, kun Florion veljekset Paolo ja Ignazio vuonna 1799 lähtevät Calabriasta Sisiliaan, heidän katseensa ja toiveensa suuntaavat tulevaisuuteen. He ovat energisiä, kunnianhimoisia ja päättäväisiä. He haluavat edetä muita ylemmäs, tulla muita rikkaammiksi ja vaikutusvaltaisemmiksi. Ja he onnistuvat siinä. Lyhyessä ajassa Paolon ja Ignazion yrttipuodista tulee Palermon suurin rohdoskasviliike. Seuraavaksi he alkavat käydä kauppaa rikillä, omantunnontuskaa tuntematta ostavat köyhtyneiden aatelisten maatiloja, perustavat oman laivayhtiön... Paolon poika Vincenzo on säälimätön liikemies. Kun hän ottaa perheyrityksen hoitoonsa, Casa Florion kasvu vain kiihtyy. Casa Florion viinitiloilla perinteisesti köyhän kansan viinistä - marsalasta - kehitetään arvostettu tuote aatelisten ja kuninkaallisten pöytiin. Perheen ”tonnarat”, tonnikalan tuotantolaitokset alkavat tuottaa oliiviöljyyn säilöttyä purkkitonnikalaa, jota myydään pian kaikkialle Eurooppaan. Palermon aateli seuraa hämmentyneenä Florion perheen menestystä. Ylpeät palermolaiset ruhtinaat ja paronit tuntevat kateutta ja halveksuntaa. Menestyvät muukalaiset ovat heidän silmissään vain satamajätkiä, joiden veri haisee hielle. He eivät tiedä, että juuri polttava tahto nousta yhteiskunnan arvoasteikolla ajaa Florioita eteenpäin niin hyvässä kuin pahassa. He eivät tiedä, että perheen miehet ovat poikkeuksellisen pystyviä ja tarvitsevat - vaikkeivät sitä koskaan myöntäisikään - rinnalleen yhtä poikkeuksellisen pystyviä naisia. Kuten Giuseppina, Paolon vaimo, joka uhraa kaiken, myös rakkauden, perheen menestyksen vuoksi. Tai Giulia, nuori milanolainen nainen, joka ilmestyy Vincenzon elämään kuin pyörremyrsky, ja josta tulee miehen turvasatama, luja kallio. Stefania Auci piirtää historiaa molemmin käsin ja herättää henkiin tarinan mahtavasta Florion suvusta, joka vuosisadan aikana koki kuuluisuuden, vaurauden ja vaikutusvallan. Kirja on pysytellyt Italian bestsellerlistoilla jo yli kaksi vuotta ja sen oikeudet on myyty 31 kielelle. Kirjasta on tekeillä myös kansainvälinen TV-sarja ja kirjan jatko-osa julkaistaan keväällä 2021.