Conversations in Sicily

Rating:
Summary: If your interested in this, go ahead and read it...
Review: Had to read this for my Italian Lit class, and I'm glad I did. Otherwise I would've never known about the book. The historical background is really interesting...written in WWII-era fascist Italy, it is an anti-fascist novel and I'm surprised that it initially did get past the censors. Keep this in mind; the anti-fascist sentiment becomes clearer and clearer as you read: there's a reason Vittorini went to prison for this. The writing flows well in this translation and I find the author's use of repetition to be very interesting (the newspapers "blaring new massacres"). Also check out the importance of Silvestro's memory returning. If you like Hemmingway check out his foreward, which is one of the longest extended metaphors I've ever read and is really beautiful writing. Overall, this book is to be studied, but can be enjoyed casually nonetheless. Read this and enjoy it.

Rating:
Summary: If your interested in this, go ahead and read it...
Review: Had to read this for my Italian Lit class, and I'm glad I did. Otherwise I would've never known about the book. The historical background is really interesting...written in WWII-era fascist Italy, it is an anti-fascist novel and I'm surprised that it initially did get past the censors. Keep this in mind; the anti-fascist sentiment becomes clearer and clearer as you read: there's a reason Vittorini went to prison for this. The writing flows well in this translation and I find the author's use of repetition to be very interesting (the newspapers "blaring new massacres"). Also check out the importance of Silvestro's memory returning. If you like Hemmingway check out his foreward, which is one of the longest extended metaphors I've ever read and is really beautiful writing. Overall, this book is to be studied, but can be enjoyed casually nonetheless. Read this and enjoy it.

Rating:
Summary: Perfect introduction to 20th century Italian literature
Review: This book stands on its own thanks to its rare beauty, not because of its author's imprisonment.
With its lyrical tone, cristalline yet misty quality, it is a very good book to read, and an ideal introduction to the rich and varied italian literature.

Rating:
Summary: Nice If You're Really Interested
Review: This is a nice little book if one is really interested in a sampling of some of the people in Sicily. However being of Sicilian decent I found it somewhat offensive. The reading is easy enough but I was hoping for something complimentary and not degrading as this book appears to be.