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43rd out of 65 books
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The Crossroads. Niccol Ammaniti
Cristiano is thirteen. Home life is far from perfect, and when his drink-sozzled father and two reprobate friends come up with a plan to rob a bank, Cristiano sees the chance of a better life. But as a tremendous storm brews that night, the perfect crime will have shocking consequences for all involved. And Cristiano must put childhood behind him once and for all. The utte...more
Paperback, 416 pages
Published
March 4th 2010
by Canongate Books
(first published 2006)
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Come si misura la bellezza di un libro? Certo ci sono molti modi: la storia, i personaggi, la scrittura, l'ambientazione e così via, tutte cose certo importanti... forse però basta un unico fattore che va a misurare esattamente la qualità di un libro: la voglia che si ha di riprendere la lettura dopo averla interrotta. Se il metro di valutazione che adottiamo è questo possiamo sicuramente affermare che questa storia da dipendenza, o per lo meno, questo è quello che è capitato a me. A parte i var...more
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Lo stile di Ammaniti e' unico e impossibile da descrivere. Bisogna solo leggerlo per capire. Ma questo libro e' veramente inquietante. Forse era proprio questo lo scopo che si sera prefisso l'autore, anzi ne sono sicura, ma io non ho dormito per una settimana,..... se da una parte devo fargli i complimenti, dall'altra mi auguro che il prossimo lavoro si prefigga scopi differenti!
L'ho letto durante le ultime ferie, e dire che stava sul mio comodino già da molto tempo.
Che dire? Ammaniti ha superato una dura prova dopo l'ottimo "Io non ho paura": quella di non scadere nella banalità. Invece Come Dio comanda è un libro ben scritto, con personaggi vivi e credibili, e con uno stile elaborato e scorrevole.
Fulcro della storia è il rapporto tra padre e figlio, ma molti sono gli spunti di riflessione: la periferia (con la p minuscola) in questi anni grigi, ...more
Che dire? Ammaniti ha superato una dura prova dopo l'ottimo "Io non ho paura": quella di non scadere nella banalità. Invece Come Dio comanda è un libro ben scritto, con personaggi vivi e credibili, e con uno stile elaborato e scorrevole.
Fulcro della storia è il rapporto tra padre e figlio, ma molti sono gli spunti di riflessione: la periferia (con la p minuscola) in questi anni grigi, ...more
Niccolò Ammaniti viene spesso chiamato il Palahniuk italiano. Io sono un amante del buon Chuck (che però sta inanellando una serie di fallimenti considerevoli) e debbo dire che con lui condivide solo la crudezza di certi passaggi, ma poi lo stile, gli ambienti e soprattutto le trame dei suoi libri sono completamente diversi.
Detto questo, io trovo "Come Dio comanda" un piccolo capolavoro. Ci sono dei personaggi favolosi e sono tutto meno che i classici eroi. C'è un alcolista nazista, un...more
Detto questo, io trovo "Come Dio comanda" un piccolo capolavoro. Ci sono dei personaggi favolosi e sono tutto meno che i classici eroi. C'è un alcolista nazista, un...more
Il quattordicenne Cristiano Zena vive con il padre Rino, un balordo alcolizzato, violento e disoccupato, in una casa fatiscente e sporca nella zona industriale di una cittadina della pianura padana. Rino, che ama profondamente il figlio e a modo suo cerca di prepararlo alla vita, frequenta i suoi amici Quattro Formaggi e Danilo Aprea. Tutti segnati da eventi crudeli nella loro vita, i tre reagiscono in modo personale ma ugualmente maniacale alle sventure che si accalcano davanti alle loro porte ...more
This book like some of the other award winning foreign novels I believe transcends its genre in crime story, thriller, or a coming of age story and moves it swiftly upward to contemporary fiction. It seems to share a common purpose in many fine and classic novels like the recent two years old hit, 'Let the Right One' In by Lindqvist, and Stieg Larsson's trilogy about a brilliant girl named Salander A.K.A. Wasp, both from Sweden.(Even though Larsson's prose is cold and icy, it still is brillant i...more
The pacing of this book is incredible. The action builds, the point of view shifts from character to character, the plot twists like a Dali-esque pretzel, and yet none of the violence seems gratuitous and the surprises don't feel contrived. AGC is comic but also unremittingly dark, and in the latter sense the novel may not be to everyone's taste. The tale is neither for the faint of heart nor those seeking an uplift. Nonetheless, it's a ripping good yarn, and the only reason I don't give the...more
As God Commands depicts an angry, unemployed and unemployable father, trying and often failing to do his best for his isolated and lonely teenage son, while also looking after his old work colleague, who suffers mental and physical problems because of an accident some years before. The strange trio's dysfunctional but affectionate relationship is plunged into chaos, as the story takes on a dark, violent hue. Part crime thriller, part psychological drama...this was an amazing read and worthy of i...more
L'inizio è un po lento, pero poi il libro prende forza. è una storia un po particolare che in realtà non ha un storia, parla della vita di diversi personaggi, che bisogna dire che uno è più strano del altro.
La cosa che mi è piaciuta è che i personaggi sono ben sviluppati, penso che con tutti ci sono stati momenti in cui li ho odiati e poi altri dove mi piacevano o sentivo un po di pena per loro. Una cosa che non è cosi comune visto che nei libri generalmente il buono è buono e basta e il cattiv...more
La cosa che mi è piaciuta è che i personaggi sono ben sviluppati, penso che con tutti ci sono stati momenti in cui li ho odiati e poi altri dove mi piacevano o sentivo un po di pena per loro. Una cosa che non è cosi comune visto che nei libri generalmente il buono è buono e basta e il cattiv...more
definitely one of the best novels i've read in a while. something of a dickens-meets-cormac mccarthy tragicomic morality tale. i have to admit that it started out a bit slow -- felt like a series of short stories, or anecdotes, about this group of characters for a good 100-150 pages. but then the inciting incident occurs and it's as if someone just stepped on the gas. the rest of the novel moves along at breakneck speed in a visceral, cinematic style, cutting rapidly back and forth between ea...more
Nulla di nuovo sul fronte orientale. O quasi.
Il profondo nordest mostra il lato oscuro del modello produttivo che traina il sistema Italia. Schiacciati tra quartieri residenziali e centri commerciali gli emarginati, i tre balordi Danilo, Quattroformaggi e Rino, più Cristiano, il figlio adolescente di quest'ultimo, sono costretti ad accontentarsi degli spazi residuali di periferia e conducono una vita al limite della miseria, sugli ultimi gradini della scala sociale, senza prospettive di r...more
Il profondo nordest mostra il lato oscuro del modello produttivo che traina il sistema Italia. Schiacciati tra quartieri residenziali e centri commerciali gli emarginati, i tre balordi Danilo, Quattroformaggi e Rino, più Cristiano, il figlio adolescente di quest'ultimo, sono costretti ad accontentarsi degli spazi residuali di periferia e conducono una vita al limite della miseria, sugli ultimi gradini della scala sociale, senza prospettive di r...more
Read this!!! It is so damn good. I loved I’LL STEAL YOU AWAY but this book is absolutely amazing. Memorable characters in a harsh and unforgiving modern Italian setting. Christiano, his father Rino and his father’s two best friends live in a world of poverty, unemployment, hopelessness and bitter anger at so many things. Halfway through the story all of them come together (and apart) in stormy night of violence, thoughtless selfishness, and, ultimately, love. I told Elise I felt, at this point, ...more
Stunning and powerful, but at the same time so disturbing novel!
Set in Italian industrial wasteland, this novel is far away from the tourist guides about the beauties of wonderful Italy. But, it is a captivating story with very interesting construction and convincing characters and relationships, a story about the dark side of human character, tragic, bitter, raw, brutal, violent and aggressive... Тhe language is rough and too vulgar and obscenely for my taste, but still, so appropriate fo...more
Set in Italian industrial wasteland, this novel is far away from the tourist guides about the beauties of wonderful Italy. But, it is a captivating story with very interesting construction and convincing characters and relationships, a story about the dark side of human character, tragic, bitter, raw, brutal, violent and aggressive... Тhe language is rough and too vulgar and obscenely for my taste, but still, so appropriate fo...more
I read this book because it won the Strega Prize, an Italian award for best work by an Italian.
It's powerful & gripping as the cover blurbs said, but for me, it was too violent & sad. One of the main characters, Quattro Formaggio, reminded me a bit of Lennie in OF MICE & MEN, but much more violent.
Life for all the characters was too bleak & hopeless for me to recommend it. The language is raw, actions are crude & hard to read. It's one of those books I "should" admire I...more
It's powerful & gripping as the cover blurbs said, but for me, it was too violent & sad. One of the main characters, Quattro Formaggio, reminded me a bit of Lennie in OF MICE & MEN, but much more violent.
Life for all the characters was too bleak & hopeless for me to recommend it. The language is raw, actions are crude & hard to read. It's one of those books I "should" admire I...more
A powerful book, I couldn't put it down till the end. The protagonists are a young man and his teenage son: the man is unemployed, he's a violent and a nazi, but he loves his child deeply and would do anything for him, to let him have a decent life. The kid is more mature than his age, he's learnt how to take care of himself and be indipedent, he's known poverty, solitude and violence. Their relationship is strong and movin, yet difficult. Their only friends are a dumb guy and a man whose life f...more
Niccoló Ammanitin "Taivaan ja maan väliltä" (Otava, 2008) tarttui kirjastosta mukaan työkaverin suosituksen kautta, mutta kesti aikansa ennen kuin sain aikaiseksi tarttua siihen. Sananlasku "Parempi myöhään kuin milloinkaan" piti tällä kertaa hyvin kutinsa, sillä kyseessä on kerta kaikkiaan erinomainen kirja, joka jää mieliin kummittelemaan pitemmäksi aikaa.
Ammaniti kirjoittaa alempaan sosiaaliluokkaan kuuluvien italialaisten miesten elämästä, Italian yhteiskunnalli...more
Ammaniti kirjoittaa alempaan sosiaaliluokkaan kuuluvien italialaisten miesten elämästä, Italian yhteiskunnalli...more
I found this book a gripping and compelling read. Bleak and tragic, it is also at times hysterically funny. As God Commands is character driven crime story and also a social commentary on the hopelessness of the life of unemployed non skilled Italian workers living a hand to mouth existence in a modern Italy that is a far cry from the Italy depicted in the many books on Tuscany. It moves fast and as I was reading it thought it would make a great movie...and I have since found that it has! A fan...more
Italian title of this book is "As God Commands" -- and this is much better title as many of the characters beleive that they are in the hands of God.
Ammaniti created the magnetic characters and it is hard to put the book dow -- I finished it in three days!!
Although I did not like the ending, I think I will want to read more of his books
Ammaniti created the magnetic characters and it is hard to put the book dow -- I finished it in three days!!
Although I did not like the ending, I think I will want to read more of his books
Adoro Ammaniti. Il suo modo di scrivere, le situazioni che descrive, i sentimenti che condivide nelle pagine. E' un autore che affascina, che non può lasciarti indifferente, mai. E in questo libro c'è tutta la disperazione e l'amore di un figlio verso il proprio padre descritto in un modo che è facile trovare con questo dettaglio. Bello
This may be the first writer I would call a master storyteller. He does it all--plots, twists, characters, dark humor. He writes of an Italy that most Americans don't know exists--one that looks an awful lot America, and by awful, I mean awful. This was a gripping book, but the ending was a bit unsatisfying. Can't wait to read "I'm not scared."
Written by Italian author; I found this terribly difficult to get through. Hated the style and the story line. It is about an economically depressed village where a young teen lives with his alcoholic, unemployed, abusive father. He is surrounded by his fathers screwed up friends and when they come up with a plan to reverse their fortunes, it goes horribly awry. The book just ends. Not enjoyable.
Schitterend geschreven verhaal over 4 marginalen in Italië. We leren het vlakke land kennen, het niet-toeristische lelijke Italië. Razend knap hoe Ammaniti nieuwe personages kan schetsen in nauwelijks meer dan een bladzijde. Van mij mochten nog meer personages opduiken. Zo boeiend geschetst.
This book is brilliant, because from the outset you make certain assumptions about what is going to happen - the chapter list at the front helps you to do this, so when you read it it goes in a different direction, and how. A bit bleak, but believable. Will read more from this author.
la provincia italiana con i suoi complesi e le sue ipocrisie ... un rapporto padre e figlio non proprio comune ma intesamente vero ...
un bel libro che ha come perfetta colonna sonora il liga ...
il grande fiume è proprio una bella fucina di talenti
un bel libro che ha come perfetta colonna sonora il liga ...
il grande fiume è proprio una bella fucina di talenti
Excellent imagery & character development. The author has a way of making the reader feel sympathetic for the father, Rino, because of his relationship with his son, Christiano, despite his several other misgivings & those of his morally bankrupt friends.
Fascinating. Similar style as I'm Not Scared but quite a different story. In my opinion, not as good, but still worth reading. Ammaniti is only going to continue to produce fantastic modern novels.
This book presents a view of an Italy far from the palazzos and frescoes of touristy Italy familiar to visitors. A group of friends bands together in a plot that somewhat resembles Big Deal on Madonna Street, but their plans are derailed by a series of misadventures and miscommunications. What Ammaniti has managed to convey in this multilayred story is a picture of Italy that will be surprising to anyone not living there, a village that resembles any American small town today. What brings the...more
This book is not your average thriller. A psychological fiction with many twist and turns. Confronting in many ways. Bits of humour here and there. The father and son relationship is intriguing – bitter sweet and bewildering. May read it again sometime.
This was an amazing book to read...i was entirely wrapped up in it from the moment i started it. Through tragedy, because every character's story in this book is a tragedy...comes growth. For some characters, revelations of their life come too late. For others there is renewal and at least some hope for a future that is less tragic.
Translated from Italian, i'm sure there are some things that are lost...there always seems to been in translations. But Ammaniti's prose is catchy, spike...more
Translated from Italian, i'm sure there are some things that are lost...there always seems to been in translations. But Ammaniti's prose is catchy, spike...more
A collection of fractured men makes for a compelling story. At times sympathetic at times horrific at times simply pathetic, but always moving and resonant w/uncomfortable truths.
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Niccolò Ammaniti was born in Rome in 1966. He has written three novels and a collection of short stories. He won the prestigious Italian Viareggio-Repaci Prize for Fiction with his bestselling novel I'm Not Scared, which has been translated into thirty-five languages.
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