Intermediate Italian books (level B1)
B1 is the threshold of independence, and these books are built for it: longer sentences, the present subjunctive, real hypothetical clauses and the discourse connectors that hold Italian prose together. They are ideal reading practice if you attend an intermediate course or are preparing a B1 certification (CILS, CELI, PLIDA): each chapter ends with comprehension questions, just like an exam task, but attached to a story you actually want to finish.
On this page: Il fu Mattia Pascal: a puzzle plot about a man believed dead; Canne al vento: Nobel-winning prose from Sardinia; Il paese di Cuccagna: choral Naples in the grip of lottery fever; Il servitore di due padroni: Goldoni's comedy, all dialogue and misunderstandings; Orlando furioso: Ariosto's flying horse and the trip to the Moon.
The level B1 books
What you can do at each level
| Level | What you can do in Italian | Books |
|---|---|---|
| A1 | Introduce yourself, ask simple questions, follow short sentences spoken slowly. | 4 in paperback |
| A2 | Talk about your day and your past, get by in shops and on a trip. | 5 in paperback |
| B1 | Tell a story, give your opinion, follow the main points of a conversation. | 5 in paperback |
| B2 | Discuss abstract topics, follow most films and the news, write a clear argument. | 5 in paperback |
| C1 | Read long literary texts, notice tone and register, speak fluently at work. | 2 in paperback |
| C2 | Understand almost everything, catch fine nuances, read any original. | The originals |
Is B1 your level?
Take the free level test: grammar, reading and vocabulary, no sign-up. Then read the free Amazon sample of one of the B1 books: if you understand about 90% without a dictionary, you are in the right place. If you stop on almost every line, try the A2 books.
Questions about the B1 books
How long are the B1 books?
120 to 173 pages in the 6×9 paperback, in 20 chapters, each followed by comprehension questions.
Which B1 book should I read first?
Il fu Mattia Pascal: a man reads in the paper that he has been declared dead and starts again under another name. If you prefer dialogue, Il servitore di due padroni is Goldoni’s comedy retold as a novel.
Paperback or Kindle?
Both, on Amazon. The paperback is $9.99 on Amazon.com; prices vary by country. The links on this page open the paperback, and the Kindle edition is on the same Amazon page.
