At first I thought it was a comedy, with plenty of light satire, mocking 1930s provincial bourgeoisie and Sicily, but under the surface I think it's a book about stifling conformism, lack of values, obsessions, and fascism in all its forms.
Il bell'Antonio, Vitaliano Brancati
7/10
Though it is often thought-provoking and original, I found this hard to like or enjoy.
The mix of stories and social commentary, the switch between unconvincing first person narration and beautifully written third person, and too many topics not fully explored, made it uneven and vaguely disappointing.
Acqua Sporca, Nadeesha Uyangoda
6/10
Fast-paced, easy, oozing racial slurs, sexism, and violence, but with plenty of funny moments.
Not high literature, but ideal for a poolside (or long flight) read.
Il primo giorno della tartaruga, Sirio Lubreto
6/10
#siriolubreto #crimenovel #summerread #italianbooks #bookstodon
This was such a pleasure to read! An ordinary family, with many interesting but ordinary people, living ordinary lives, through many decades and generations.
And spring returns.
Tornerà la primavera, Nadia Noio
7/10
A tense murder mystery, a love story, unglamorous provincial Italy.
Tra lei e me, Giampaolo Simi
7/10
Though the story does not make much sense, it is fast-paced and entertaining, with a few unusual characters and original ideas (and also too many racial stereotypes).
La fame del Cigno, Luca Mercadante
7/10
A man stuck between hope and disillusionment, in an absurd and oppressive microcosm that becomes (by choice? by resignation?) his life, until the unavoidable end.
Surreal, mysterious, complex in its simplicity.
The Tartar Steppe, Dino Buzzati
8/10
#buzzati #italianbooks #italianliterature #thetartarsteppe #bookstodon
🎞 A segunda sessão do ciclo "Sombras: Histórias de colonialismo, solidariedade e libertação" é especial: com o tema "Antifascismo e anticolonialismo – solidariedade democrática e intercâmbios revolucionários entre a Itália e Portugal", incluirá filmes, livros e uma conversa moderada por Giulia Strippoli.
ℹ️ https://ihc.fcsh.unl.pt/events/sombras-2025-02/
#Histodons #FilmFestivals #ItalianFilms #ItalianBooks #AntiColonialism #CinemaItaliano #FestivaisDeCinema #AntiColonialismo #AntiFascismo #AntiFascism #Itália
I loved the dystopian world, the rebellious streak of many characters, the threat (and hope) of anarchy of the previous books, but there is just too much hopelessness and cynicism and gloom to love this.
Great art, though.
Piovono Corvi, Daniel Cuello
6/10
A life shaped by colours, in all their infinite shades, beautiful names, and possible meanings.
Likable and intriguing characters, more than the improbable story, and Japan seen through di eyes of an immigrant.
Le vite nascoste dei colori, Laura Imai Messina
7/10
Pao_1
IHC