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The Patience of the Spider (Inspector Montalbano #8)
The latest mystery in Andrea Camilleri's internationally bestselling Inspector Montalbano series
Winning fans in Europe and America for their dark sophistication and dry humor, Andrea Camilleri's crime novels are classics of the genre. Set once again in Sicily, "The Patience of the Spider" pits Inspector Montalbano against his greatest foe yet: the weight of his own years...more
Winning fans in Europe and America for their dark sophistication and dry humor, Andrea Camilleri's crime novels are classics of the genre. Set once again in Sicily, "The Patience of the Spider" pits Inspector Montalbano against his greatest foe yet: the weight of his own years...more
ebook, 256 pages
Published
April 24th 2007
by Penguin Books
(first published January 1st 2004)
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8th in the Inspector Montalbano series.[return][return]Montalbano is still recovering from the serious gunshot wound he received in the previous case, recounted in Rounding the Mark. The brush with death has thrown Montalbano into a period of reflection on his mortality that even Livia� s presence can� t alleviate. But all this ends when a report comes in of a missing young woman, presumably kidnapped. However, there are oddities about the situation that leave Montalbano not entirely convinced t...more
Oct 01, 2011
Anastasia
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
contemporanei,
italia
Il commissario Montalbano sono.
Demenza giovanile: far volare per aria il paperback, credendo fermamente che sia un gabbiano.
Eh beh, capitemi. I momenti di distrazione fra un "s'addrummolisce" e un "macari" ce volevano. Accussì pian piano sono arrivata alla fine, fra un gabbiano e l'altro. Mi parse impossibile all'inizio, ma nescì viva.
No, basta, pensavo che sarebbe stata una cosa carina fare la Camilleri anche io, ma sono talmente sazia di dialetto siciliano che 'un ce la faccio.
All'inizio er...more
Demenza giovanile: far volare per aria il paperback, credendo fermamente che sia un gabbiano.
Eh beh, capitemi. I momenti di distrazione fra un "s'addrummolisce" e un "macari" ce volevano. Accussì pian piano sono arrivata alla fine, fra un gabbiano e l'altro. Mi parse impossibile all'inizio, ma nescì viva.
No, basta, pensavo che sarebbe stata una cosa carina fare la Camilleri anche io, ma sono talmente sazia di dialetto siciliano che 'un ce la faccio.
All'inizio er...more
Like all the Montalbano novels, "The Patience of the Spider" is also filled with lively dialogue, sharply observed descriptions, vibrant characterization and dramatic shifts in tone. The relationship with Livia is skilfully handled, but this time I couldn't stand Livia's presence and discourse. It looked like she only functioned as a counterpoint to Montabano's viewpoints... And the nagging, for pit's sake...
This book also has a less-complex plot than earlier books but is still an excellent rea...more
This book also has a less-complex plot than earlier books but is still an excellent rea...more
Montalbano's patience equals that of the spider who weaves the web of this Sicilian "crime" which achieves revenge for an old wrong. This series has humor (Catarella's malapropisms in fractured eye-talian), romance (Salvo's passionate squabbles and couplings with his Genoese lover Livia), scrumptious descriptions of Sicilian food (coniglio al agrodolce - sweet and sour rabbit), but most of all Camilleri rehabilitates the role of intuition and imagination in crime-solving (along with precise obse...more
“The Patience of the Spider” is the eighth book in Andrea Camilleri’s crime/mystery series featuring Inspector Montalbano. I read this during the Christmas holidays...on the plane to SF and while in SF visiting family. Easy to pick up and get lost in this book while being distracted with family and holiday food. I continue to like this series...the writing is strong, the plots solid and believable...the characters well developed. I guessed early on in the book who was behind the kidnapping, but...more
5 stars? Yes. It was funny, insightful, and surprising. What a great summer read. Among the details which I enjoy: the attention paid to details. I stopped today and watched a spider web carefully, inspired by the dear detective. He listens to his body, listens to his emotions and is self-reflective. My only regret is, as I've mentioned before in reviews of this series, that women are remarkable only for their cooking skills or their beauty. (I write that and immediately I know it's not true. In...more
I'm not sure what I like most - Camilleri's stories, Stephen Sartarelli's translations, or Sicily, but it's always a joy to pick up a new Inspector Montalbano story. In fact, I know I'd hate to actually live in Sicily - it's far too hot for me - but Camilleri makes you want to be there anyway.
The Montalbano books always make me wish I could read Italian - not because I distrust the translation, but because I love it! When Montalbano's assistant, Catarelli, uses recognizable but mangled English i...more
The Montalbano books always make me wish I could read Italian - not because I distrust the translation, but because I love it! When Montalbano's assistant, Catarelli, uses recognizable but mangled English i...more
I read this because I learned that the writer was Sicilian and very popular there. He writes mysteries and now I know why they're called that. A semi-retired detective investigates a supposed kidnapping. We get dozens and dozens of clues as we follow along with the detective as he tries to figure out what's happened. It was ok.
But what was fun about it was dialogue that reminded me of my father and his friends doing a particularly Sicilian thing called "breaking balls." Then I learned there was...more
But what was fun about it was dialogue that reminded me of my father and his friends doing a particularly Sicilian thing called "breaking balls." Then I learned there was...more
Judging by my recent reading, you'd think the Italians have suddenly just gone to wrack and ruin. This excellent series is set in Sicily. Inspector Montalbano is quite the character (in both meanings of the word). One of the best aspects of this book is the relationship between him and his sweetie, who left home to care for him while he recuperates after being shot. They squabble unbelievably! He fears the squabbles, but can't seem to stop himself from doing what will lead to one. For her part,...more
May 09, 2011
Martina
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
crime-novels,
italian
I am reading the Montalbano novels as the TV movies are broadcasted.
In most cases it's just a reread, but it seems that I missed a couple of books from the series.
"La pazienza del ragno" was another good novel from Camilleri, involving the kidnapping of a young woman from a pretty poor family. Montalbano is doubtful, as the economic conditions of the family are well-known all over Vigata. Could there be another reason for kidnapping the woman?
Maybe not as original as other novels by Camilleri (...more
In most cases it's just a reread, but it seems that I missed a couple of books from the series.
"La pazienza del ragno" was another good novel from Camilleri, involving the kidnapping of a young woman from a pretty poor family. Montalbano is doubtful, as the economic conditions of the family are well-known all over Vigata. Could there be another reason for kidnapping the woman?
Maybe not as original as other novels by Camilleri (...more
Thoughts of his own mortality become reality for Salvo Montalbano: he has been shot, but he is recovering. Livia is there for him, his friends are there for him, but the Inspector is a real pain in the...as a recovering patient. The best cure is for him to work a case and it starts with a missing girl and its Salvo back to healthy eating, voluble rants, and the usual food and cultural insights. Again, poet and translator Sartarelli is a godsend. After this novel I sat down and did a marathon of...more
May 28, 2012
Catherine
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
good-detective-fiction
A great mystery - though I must admit to having at least partially figured it out by about 1/2 way through the story. I do like Montalbano as a character, both in these books and the tv series, and I really like the way the humour comes out of nowhere. I'll be reading along, and all of a sudden Montalbano will say or think something really unexpectedly that makes me laugh out loud. I also like the look into the Sicilian way of life. Very different to my own.
Over all, an enjoyable read, and recom...more
Over all, an enjoyable read, and recom...more
A pretty young girl is kidnapped riding her scooter home after studying with a classmate. Inspector Montalbano is convelescing from his gunshot wounds, and is dragged in to assist in the case. Eventually, a large ransom is demanded from her family, which has been devastated by the financial trickery of her now-rich uncle. The uncle, who has political aspirations, is shamed into paying the ransom for the safe return of the girl. As always, Montalbano using his unorthodox policing style, figures o...more
One of the strangest things about reading THE PATIENCE OF THE SPIDER was the weird sort of feeling that I knew the story at the beginning. And your reviewer is nothing but sharp - about 20 pages in the penny dropped - one of the recently screened TV-Movies on our local SBS TV was based on the story behind this book. I plead that the story of Montalbano having been shot, and Livia's presence were pretty well (if not totally) non-existent in the TV Movie so I had a momentary feeling of considerabl...more
#8 Inspector Montalbano mystery set in Vigata, Italy. Supposedly recuperating from the wound he sustained at the end of the last book, with the lovely (and yet curmudgeonly in her own way!) Livia visiting and tending to him, Montalbano is instead dragged into a kidnapping case, "just to consult" while another detective has the lead role.
Susanna Mistretta has disappeared, presumed kidnapped, although motive seems a bit unclear as her family has lost most of their money years previously. Several...more
Susanna Mistretta has disappeared, presumed kidnapped, although motive seems a bit unclear as her family has lost most of their money years previously. Several...more
THE PATIENCE OF THE SPIDER (Police Procedural-Insp. Montalbano-Sicily-Cont) – G
Camilleri, Andrea – 8th in series
Penguin, 2004, US Trade paper - ISBN: 9780143112037
First Sentence: He jolted awake, sweaty and short of breath.
*** Inspector Montalbano is brought back early from his recovery after being shot. A girl has been kidnapped and her family has no money to pay a ransom. Because the family’s financial situation is fairly common knowledge and the events following the kidnapping are more simila...more
Camilleri, Andrea – 8th in series
Penguin, 2004, US Trade paper - ISBN: 9780143112037
First Sentence: He jolted awake, sweaty and short of breath.
*** Inspector Montalbano is brought back early from his recovery after being shot. A girl has been kidnapped and her family has no money to pay a ransom. Because the family’s financial situation is fairly common knowledge and the events following the kidnapping are more simila...more
As much as any crime novel I have read (and it's quite a few) Camilleri creates the atmosphere. His characters are tremendous and grow in stature in every book. The location is magical, and of course, the food is amazing. Enough to move me by bike to Sicily this summer, armed with the new novel.
Rather like Conan-Doyle though, the stories are often not quite so strong. Certainly that's the only fault with this novel, but I am happy to overlook several of the more fantastical parts of a decent ta...more
Rather like Conan-Doyle though, the stories are often not quite so strong. Certainly that's the only fault with this novel, but I am happy to overlook several of the more fantastical parts of a decent ta...more
Like the best crime stories, these Chief Insp Montalbano stories are more about character than conoluted plot and twists. The setting is Sicily and the characters rich – his lover Livia, with whom he has a tricky relationship; Cat, his daffy underling who answers the station phone and gets everyone's name wrong; Augello, the womanising colleague; his housekeeper etc. They are humorous and bloody by turns. This one is about a kidnapping of a young woman that is not all it seems.
I read one of the Inspector Montalbano series a long time ago and was pleased to find several in the library.
I enjoyed this a lot, it's easy going, no blood or gore and the ending although low-key is very satisfying (despite the fact that it wasn't difficult to deduce the truth about the kidnapping). I particularly like the touches of humour and the off-beat repartee between the Inspector and his colleagues.
Must try and find the first in the series and read them in order.
I enjoyed this a lot, it's easy going, no blood or gore and the ending although low-key is very satisfying (despite the fact that it wasn't difficult to deduce the truth about the kidnapping). I particularly like the touches of humour and the off-beat repartee between the Inspector and his colleagues.
Must try and find the first in the series and read them in order.
More pensive in tone than previous Montalbano books, especially as he deals with aging and his lonliness (self-perpetuated). The plot had i teresting psychological twists for Salvo to untangle. Had a hard time with Livia's inconsis tent moods. Liked her understanding of Salvo in previous stories but perhaps the two have reached a point where they are more at ease when apart --- too bad. Also, less of Fazio et al --- missed them
As Montalbano novels go, this is a particularly pleasant read. For those of us who still haven't figured out what he finds in Livia, this is an interesting one, too, as she is there in Marinella with him during much of the book. The case is nicely woven and the ending satisfactorily montalbanoesque.
As a mystery, not much of a puzzle. As a depiction of Sicilian and Italian society, both insightful and entertaining. The translator's rendition of some characters' speech patterns, apparently meant to reflect dialect, did strike me as wrongheaded and rubbed me the wrong way.
Okay - I did like this one but too much Livia - boy do I not like her with all the whining and fighting and selfishness. But enough of that - this story's a short, quick one and yes it was pretty easy to figure out from pretty much the get-go but Montalbano grows a bit in this and while it really doesn't focus on any of the other regulars (besides Livia *sigh*) there is a spot of Catarella whom I'm liking more and more...if you read the series don't skip this one but if you've not read any yet,...more
I love the Inspector Montalbano series, and this simply isn't as wonderful as the others. It is still a pleasure to read, but it felt as if the author wasn't really trying this time around. The subtle atmosphere that makes these novels so great is there, as is the perfect pacing, but the quality of the writing has to make up for the poorness of the plot, and characterization that I can only describe as lazy. Camilleri is so good that it almost does. Even though the portrayal of the main characte...more
I am still enjoying this series of mysteries. However, Salbu's girlfriend Olivia is increasingly annoying, and since she is down to Sicily for this entire book, this may have been my least favorite book in the series so far. Break up with her already!
The title gives a good sense of the pace of this mystery. Hello, GR! I'm not even sure if I've read it before! Montalbano is slowly coming back to life after having been shot as he investigates a kidnapping that may not deserve that name. Everything is creepy and deja-vue about this mystery -- not the best.
This is the first Inspector Maltobano book by Camilleri I've read in several years. I enjoy the way that the author takes the reader down different paths, slowly revealing the different characters. I was able to discern clues to the ending early on without being too obvious.
I love this series. We rejoin Montalbano 2 weeks after the event of Rounding the Mark. On leave after being shot, Montalbano is dragged back to work after a young woman is kidnapped. Kidnapping in Sicily is a business, with its traditions and its rules.
Montalbano watches has time grows short and nothing is really what it seems. All the usual supporting characters are there, my favorite Catarella has a few good scenes, Livia is a big part of this novel. The romantic, domestic relationship betwee...more
Montalbano watches has time grows short and nothing is really what it seems. All the usual supporting characters are there, my favorite Catarella has a few good scenes, Livia is a big part of this novel. The romantic, domestic relationship betwee...more
This was, once again, very predictable even for someone like me who normally doesn't have a clue. But I loved the story and the characters, so I'm giving it 4 stars based on sheer reading pleasure.
I love these Camilleri books when my brain needs a rest. Italian mystery novels, translated into English. Funny, light (and yet so dark!), suspenseful, and fun. Great vacation/beach read etc.
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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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02 oct. 06:39