I especially appreciated the portions of the book that made me feel like I was in the village observing all the people in their daily lives. I’ve visited Italy several times, but have never had the opportunity to travel to Sicily. Verga never describes the characters, he uses dialogue as a primary strategy, thus allowing the reader to draw their own pictures of the villagers and their surroundings. The story is a family saga that is far from unique but the writing style is unique. I didn’t find the main plot line to be particularly novel or compelling, and I never truly connected with any of the main characters, although I did have empathy for the family as a whole. Verga’s lyrical realist style of writing makes you feel as if you’re walking through the cobblestone streets in this village. Although the plot centers around one family, it is really the story of the village that struggles economically and socially to adapt to the changing times. For me, what made the book special wasn’t the plot (which was fairly simple), but rather the rich description of the setting that is achieved primarily through dialogue. It follows the decline and struggle of the Malgovia family. The story takes place in a small fishing village in Trezza, Sicily. Verga’s I Malagovia is a wonderful short novel for those readers who want to feel themselves immersed in Southern Italy. (see our full review on the blog, along with photos):
0 kommentar(er)
