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70th out of 154 books
—
33 voters
Il campo del vasaio (Inspector Montalbano #13)
Paperback, La Memoria #744, 280 pages
Published
January 1st 2008
by Sellerio
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Inspector Montalbano is getting older, closing in on 60. He is tired and achy but he still enjoys good food and wine. And he can still solve a complicated murder case because he is always thinking. He does multiplication tables when he is waiting. He uses Freud to interpret his dreams. He gives his boss statements to defend his actions using only the titles of Dostoevsky novels, knowing the commissioner will never pick up on it. He was too ignorant to have read them.
A body is found in a muddy c...more
A body is found in a muddy c...more
Another neat trick by Camilleri. It seems so simple and obvious in the first part of the book, I wondered where the twisty subtlety had gone. Well, I found out it hadn't.
The subtly twisting heart of this book comes from the idea of betrayal, big and small, in private, public and police life, against others or oneself. Some so small as not to matter, others that can ruin a career or end a life. Or save any of these.
Why on earth does a writer of Camilleri's gifts write mysteries - though I am s...more
The subtly twisting heart of this book comes from the idea of betrayal, big and small, in private, public and police life, against others or oneself. Some so small as not to matter, others that can ruin a career or end a life. Or save any of these.
Why on earth does a writer of Camilleri's gifts write mysteries - though I am s...more
Feb 04, 2012
Nancy Oakes
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
italian-crime-fiction,
translated-fiction
Definitely not my favorite in the series, but like 3.75 stars rounded up.
The Potter's Field is the latest in Camilleri's adventures featuring Inspector Salvo Montalbano, coming in at book number thirteen in the series. According to Wikipedia, there are three more already written, waiting to be translated. Good. I'm not quite ready for the series to end just yet.
Montalbano has a lot on his plate in this installment. First, he is called to a crime scene in the middle of the pouring rain, where a...more
The Potter's Field is the latest in Camilleri's adventures featuring Inspector Salvo Montalbano, coming in at book number thirteen in the series. According to Wikipedia, there are three more already written, waiting to be translated. Good. I'm not quite ready for the series to end just yet.
Montalbano has a lot on his plate in this installment. First, he is called to a crime scene in the middle of the pouring rain, where a...more
Camilleri is an acquired taste. This one starts out in amusing fashion when Inspector Montalbano has to be driven to a suspected crime scene by Catarella who normally doesn't leave the police station. The sergeant can hardly move without breaking/falling over/banging into something. The pair pull up alongside the police Jeep and don't see anyone. Because it is pouring rain, the Inspector [he really doesn't want to get wet] tells Catarella to honk the horn but it doesn't work, so the two sit ther...more
The theme of the Potter’s Field is betrayal. The reference to the potter’s field stems from the Gospels according to Matthew. When Judas returns to the priests the 30 pieces of silver he was paid for betraying Christ, they use them to purchase a potter’s field, a burial ground for the indigent. When the Mafia deliberately slices the body of a traitor into 30 pieces, it is sending a warning message to others. In this context, Andrea Camilleri understands to mention Umberto Eco’s theory of semioti...more
This was an unusual one for me. I enjoy murder mysteries, and enjoy trying to predict whodoneit. In this case, part of the early challenge was to predict who got done. It took a little work to get into the book because it was originally written in Italian. So not only did it need to be translated, but the transcriber had to cope with finding English equivalents for Italian slang and what would be the language of New York bumblers. *Think "youse guys."* But, after the initial adjustment was made,...more
Il campo del vasaio. Pagato con i trenta denari di Giuda. Luogo-simbolo del tradimento.
E il tradimento è il leitmotif di questa storia del commissario Montalbano. Dove forse il lato poliziesco è un po' meno elaborato rispetto ad altre storie, e mi si è disvelato più facilmente. Vuoi per la mia somma intelligenza di lettore ormai scafato, vuoi (soprattutto, dannazione) per le note sui risvolti di copertina che manca poco ti rivelano anche il finale fingendo di mascherarlo dietro giri di parole (S...more
E il tradimento è il leitmotif di questa storia del commissario Montalbano. Dove forse il lato poliziesco è un po' meno elaborato rispetto ad altre storie, e mi si è disvelato più facilmente. Vuoi per la mia somma intelligenza di lettore ormai scafato, vuoi (soprattutto, dannazione) per le note sui risvolti di copertina che manca poco ti rivelano anche il finale fingendo di mascherarlo dietro giri di parole (S...more
I wish I had read The Potter's Field in print, rather than listening to the audio. It's rare that I say that, most audiobooks I've listened to have been well dones, and in general I enjoy listening to mysteries; this one was just a little tough. I don't know why exactly, maybe there was just too much dialogue for an audio, a little too difficult to keep the speakers straight. Or maybe the voices of Inspector Salvo Montalbano and the other characters were not how I heard them in my head when I re...more
I liked this Montalbano. Andrea Camilleri really portrayed a tired Inspector Montalbano. He's really tried to make him human with guilt feelings towards Livia. I know there's a lot of other written books of Inspector Montalbano out there in Italian that haven't been translated yet. So I don't know whats going to happen. Be ready though.
I adore these books. The translations are wonderful. I loved this one particularly. The weariness of Salvatore Montalbano is palpable; with life, with relationships, even with swimming but happily not with food. The sense of place is clear and credible and the references are wonderful. Many moments that lead to laughter. As appealing as Luca Zingaretti is in the series, I am not as attracted to him as I am to the appalling Montalbano in the books.
I hope that he doesn't retire yet. Maybe the silv...more
I hope that he doesn't retire yet. Maybe the silv...more
I was scared of this, since I don't like to read about gruesome murders - but Mr Camilleri managed to make it enjoyable nonetheless. I still think the first four Montalbano books are his top ones and he never came back to that excellence of writing, but after a few disappointing ones in the middle I find these later ones are fabulous once again. Nobody is happier about it then my reader self. :-)
I read it in German translation and while I'm always amused about the title translations (always for...more
I read it in German translation and while I'm always amused about the title translations (always for...more
Enjoyable Italian suspense with some humor dribbled in. Humor I didn't quite always get, maybe due to starting the series with this one, number 13. The book had little to do with the description I read that got me to buy the book. I thought it would be more along the lines of anthropological or archeological, but it was more along the lines of misdirection and clue finding.
I will look for others in the series at some point, will start at the beginning. Some series I can start in the middle and...more
I will look for others in the series at some point, will start at the beginning. Some series I can start in the middle and...more
This is one of a series of mysteries featuring an Italian police inspector, Montalbano. I wasn't sure at times if this book was quirky as a result of translation, writing style, or Italian culture. Some of the moments in the book that were intended to be comic relief I found to be awkward. A good example are scenes with Catarella (an officer who reports to Montalbano). He reminded me of a bumbling, slapstick character in a bad sitcom. However, scenes with Montalbano and his "pranks" caused me to...more
When a body is found in a field of clay having been uncovered by a deluge it becomes a sensation because the body is recovered in thirty separate pieces. The press would like to sensationalize the find by putting it an the category of ritual killings, Satanic murder and other newsworthy events.
As much as Salvo Montalbano bemoans his slow creep into old age by refusing to wear eyeglasses he can still see clearly and can read the message of the body. The thirty pieces of a corpse, along with buria...more
As much as Salvo Montalbano bemoans his slow creep into old age by refusing to wear eyeglasses he can still see clearly and can read the message of the body. The thirty pieces of a corpse, along with buria...more
Aug 09, 2011
Fabio
added it
il "solito" buon Montalbano preso da un nuovo mistero e dal sospetto che uno dei suoi migliori amici lo ... tradisca! Come spesso accade tutto si gioca sul filo del rasoio, ma Montalbano riuscirà questa volta a salvare capra e cavoli?
la trama scorre via come sempre con buon ritmo, ma c'è una tinta in più di sicilianità, del dire senza dire, del salvare l'onore degli amici (anche se magari non se lo meritano).
Per chi piace il personaggio non deluderà.
la trama scorre via come sempre con buon ritmo, ma c'è una tinta in più di sicilianità, del dire senza dire, del salvare l'onore degli amici (anche se magari non se lo meritano).
Per chi piace il personaggio non deluderà.
My favorite Inspector Montalbano yet. That guy totally cracks me up, and the murder investigation was interesting and wide-ranging. Plus the interpersonal stuff at the police station is so much fun to dive into.
I have to say, Camilleri is about the only writer whose dream sequences interest and engage me. I keep trying to figure out how he does it - I think it's because Montalbano's voice is so very wry and he discounts the whole thing as quickly as he can, even when a part of him knows he can'...more
I have to say, Camilleri is about the only writer whose dream sequences interest and engage me. I keep trying to figure out how he does it - I think it's because Montalbano's voice is so very wry and he discounts the whole thing as quickly as he can, even when a part of him knows he can'...more
The perfect antidote to cold winter days and long December nights. This is now the 13th in this wonderful series set in Sicily and Camilleri writes in a relaxed and entertaining fashion that means these familiar characters are lifted from the pages with ease and for the reader's total enjoyment.
A crime mystery with complex human interactions, where the solution is not always evident and brilliant detective work is needed to find the solution. For further inspiration our police officer Inspector...more
A crime mystery with complex human interactions, where the solution is not always evident and brilliant detective work is needed to find the solution. For further inspiration our police officer Inspector...more
E' sempre un piacere leggere un romanzo di Montalbano, poichè ogni volta sembra di ritornare a trovare un gruppo di cari vecchi amici. In questo "Il Campo del Vasaio", non è tanto l'indagine fatta di false piste e "lioparde" ammaliante a rendere questo racconto molto ben riuscito, quanto il percorso interiore che guida Montalbano ad evitare lo sfasciarsi dei rapporti interni al proprio commissariato (Mimi in preda al nirbuso) ma che inevitabilmente lo portano a considerarsi un "maestro tiratore...more
The Inspector is mellowing. Interesting to see how his creator handles the aging process and that of his colleagues. In earlier books Montalbano was able to wash away his apprehensions and even some guilt by energetic swims in Sicilian waters; now the sea is again a healer but at a distance as M becomes increasingly worried about his use of power. Fazio continues to be a favourite of mine--- have always valued loyalty!
OK, I'm actually reading this in English, but I just found out I can get it in Italian, so I ordered it and I'm going to try switching over. The title in English is "The Potter's Field," and it was recommended to me by Mirabai when she heard I am planning a trip to Sicily. It's great, by the way! So Jill Baby, check it out!
OK. I've finished it now (in English). It's a fun, quick read. The Italian male mentality is on full display, but with a bit of a wink....I think.
OK. I've finished it now (in English). It's a fun, quick read. The Italian male mentality is on full display, but with a bit of a wink....I think.
A body is found in a black plastic bag in an area of clay used by potters. For some mysterious reason, Inspector Montalbano's subordinates decide to call him, awakening him and bringing him out into a chilly and rainy night. Why do they need him for this, Salvo asks himself, when they should know what to do without him. It turns out that the body is not only dead, stuffed in the garbage bag, but dismembered. What appears obvious may not be, as Salvo begins the investigation in the light of day;...more
I love this series by Andrea Camilleri. This book in English is called The Potter's Field. The Sicily I know and adore is beautifully and savagely portrayed by Camilleri, but always with affection. Better yet, the humour in this book sings. These are top notch police procedurals, always with a clever twist at the end. Enjoy.
What's there not to love about this series? The food makes me salivate. The way he manages his team while playing pranks on them is inspirational. His constant battles with Livia humanize him and endears him. And on top of that, he's truly a brilliant man.
A body, hacked into 30 pieces and placed in a black bag, is discovered when the heavy rains wash the soil away from the shallow grave. Mimi is acting very strangely and seems to be under a great deal of stress. An extremely sensuous Colombian w...more
A body, hacked into 30 pieces and placed in a black bag, is discovered when the heavy rains wash the soil away from the shallow grave. Mimi is acting very strangely and seems to be under a great deal of stress. An extremely sensuous Colombian w...more
In English, "The Potter's Field" wasn't the best Camilleri book I've read but still quite satisfying. I love the Montalbano character and his underlings. Typically his stories are pretty convoluted but neatly tied up in the end. Fun. And informative of the way police, politicians and crime bosses work together in Italy
One of the best in an excellent series. For those who like detective stories/police procedurals set in foreign locales, Camilleri's Montalbano series is hard to beat. The stories are imaginative and even educative and Stephen Sartarelli's translations are outstanding. (The Sicilian dialects spoken by some of the characters are difficult even for Italians to understand.) My only gripe is that Camilleri shorts the scenery, the appearance, of Sicily, but considering that his main readership (until...more
Not the sort of thing I'd normally pick up at all, but I enjoyed it and I can see why others would.
Much lighter than my usual fare, it told the story without any hanging around, with clearly defined characters and, this being a detective novel, a destination the plot was always moving towards. An efficient, nicely done page turner.
Much lighter than my usual fare, it told the story without any hanging around, with clearly defined characters and, this being a detective novel, a destination the plot was always moving towards. An efficient, nicely done page turner.
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Oct 09, 2011
Monica
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
crime-and-or-evil,
italian
Inspector Montalbano is having a rough time. His men are upset - the normally cheerful Mimi Augello is snappish, behaving strangely, and worrying his wife. A dismembered body turns up in a clay field. A beautiful woman reports a missing husband. Things get so complicated that Montalbano finds himself lying to everyone about everything. It's great fun.
One of the unexpected delights of this series - aside from the characters, the descriptions of Sicilian life, the cynicism about politics, the food...more
One of the unexpected delights of this series - aside from the characters, the descriptions of Sicilian life, the cynicism about politics, the food...more
L'indagine parte dal ritrovamento di un cadavere nel "campo del vasaio", terreno argilloso nei pressi di Vigata. Gli ultimi due romanzi con protagonista Montalbano mi avevano delusa, Salvo appariva sciupato, stanco e in procinto di andare in pensione. Qui ha ritrovato il suo mordente.
Caro commissario, lascia Livia e mettiti con Ingrid!!!
Caro commissario, lascia Livia e mettiti con Ingrid!!!
Feb 06, 2013
Anita
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
mystery,
police-procedural
Another amusing Inspector Montalbano novel. This time, a corpse dismembered and placed inside a garbage bag surfaces in a bank of clay. The clay is often sold to potters and sculptors, and Montalbano makes a leap of faith when he remembers the story of Judas' betrayal, the thirty pieces of silver, and the potter's field for burial of strangers in Matthew 27: 3-7. He believes the body was cut into 30 pieces as a symbol by the "old" mafia in Italy. To be honest, I was more than a little skeptical...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| loyality and betrayal | 1 | 2 | Oct 11, 2012 08:04pm | |
| Translation=spoils the book for me | 1 | 4 | Apr 14, 2012 06:47am |
Andrea Camilleri (born september 6, 1925 in Porto Empedocle) is an Italian writer. He is considered one of the greatest Italian writers of both 20th and 21st centuries.
Originally from Porto Empedocle, Sicily, Camilleri began studies at the Faculty of Literature in 1944, without concluding them, meanwhile publishing poems and short stories. Around this time he joined the Italian Communist Party.
Fro...more
More about Andrea Camilleri...
Originally from Porto Empedocle, Sicily, Camilleri began studies at the Faculty of Literature in 1944, without concluding them, meanwhile publishing poems and short stories. Around this time he joined the Italian Communist Party.
Fro...more
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“And, pointing a trembling finger at Bonetti-Alderighi, with an expression of indignation and a quasi-castrato voice, he launched into the climax:
Ah, so you, Mr. Commissioner, actually believed such a groundless accusation? Ah, I feel so insulted and humiliated! You're accusing me of an act - no, indeed, a crime that, if true, would warrant a severe punishment! As if I were a common idiot or gambler! That journalist must be possessed to think of such a thing!"
End of climax. The inspector inwardly congratulated himself. He had managed to utter a statement using only titles of novels by Dostoyevsky. Had the comissioner noticed? Of course not! The man was ignorant as a goat!”
—
4 people liked it
More quotes…
Ah, so you, Mr. Commissioner, actually believed such a groundless accusation? Ah, I feel so insulted and humiliated! You're accusing me of an act - no, indeed, a crime that, if true, would warrant a severe punishment! As if I were a common idiot or gambler! That journalist must be possessed to think of such a thing!"
End of climax. The inspector inwardly congratulated himself. He had managed to utter a statement using only titles of novels by Dostoyevsky. Had the comissioner noticed? Of course not! The man was ignorant as a goat!”
Feb 04, 2012 12:12pm