of Italy (1861–1946) Salina — the fictional Corbèra palatial estate in San Lorenzo, about five miles north of the center of Palermo. Donnafugata — the fictional name for the town Santa Margherita di Belice (near Palma di Montechiaro) and the Palazzo Filangeri-Cutò. Both the palace and adjacent Mother Church were destroyed by an earthquake in 1968. Historical characters Giuseppe Garibaldi (1807−1882), the military leader of the Expedition of the Thousand (11 May to 1 October 1860) from Marsala in Sicily to northern Lazio (Campania) Ferdinand II, a Bourbon King of The Two Sicilies. Reigned from 8 November 1830 to 22 May 1859. Died shortly before the narration of The Leopard begins. The Bourbons ruled the kingdom from Naples and lived in the Caserta Palace. Francis II, the last Bourbon King of the Two Sicilies. Reigned from 22 May 1859 to 20 March 1861. Victor Emmanuel II, Savoy King of Sardinia from 23 March 1849 to 17 March 1861, and King of Italy from 17 March 1861 to 9 January 1878. Resident at the Royal Palace of Turin. Fictional characters The Corbera Family: Fabrizio Corbera, Prince of Salina — born 1810 Maria Stella, Princess of Salina Carolina — eldest of seven children — born 1840 Francesco Paolo — eldest son and heir — born 1844 Concetta — second daughter — born 1848 Tancredi Falconeri — orphan son of the prince's sister — born 1834 Bendicò — the family dog Others at Salina: Father Pirrone — Jesuit family priest — helps the prince with mathematical computations Pietro Russo — steward Ciccio Ferrara — accountant Mademoiselle Dombreuil — governess Characters at Donnafugata: Calogero Sedàra — Mayor of Donnafugata Angelica — Calogero's daughter — born 1844 Monsignor Trotolino — priest at Holy Mother Church Ciccio Genestra — notary Onofrio Rotolo — steward Toto Giambono — doctor Ciccio Tumeo — organist at Holy Mother Church — hunting partner of the prince Count Carlo Cavriaghi — friend of Tancredi from Lombardy Knight Aimone Chevalley di Monterzuolo — bureaucrat from Piedmont Reception The novel was assailed from all sides upon its publication. Even the first attempt at its publishing failed when Lampedusa was told by an Italian editor that "his novel is unpublishable." When it was finally posthumously published in 1958, conservative elements criticized its portrayal of the decadence of both the nobility and clergy. Leftist elements attacked the novel for its criticism of Italian unification and