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Scarpia
It is the late 18th century and Sicilian nobleman Vitello Scarpia finds himself penniless and in disgrace on the streets of Rome. After leaving his home in pursuit of a military career, his fiery passion has seen him expelled from the Spanish royal guard and left to seek his fortune in Italy; a fortune inseparably bound to the Pope, whose rule is put in question by the French Revolution. Scarpia enrolls in the papal army and is soon taken up by a countess eager to have a handsome young officer at her side. She introduces Scarpia into Roman society, and he is both enthralled and agitated by its mix of religiosity, sophistication, decadence, and intrigue. Then, on a mission to Venice, he meets the gifted, beautiful singer Floria Tosca. And as the armies of revolutionary France advance into Italy, and war and revolution engulf the whole peninsula, these two lives become entwined. Steeped in factual detail and exploring the lives--part historical, part fictional--of figures from Puccini's famous opera, Scarpia shines a light into dusty corridors of history and dark corners of the human soul.
375 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 1, 2016
4 people are currently reading
244 people want to read
About the author
Piers Paul Read
32 books145 followersBritish novelist and non-fiction writer. Educated at the Benedictines' Ampleforth College, and subsequently entered St John's College, University of Cambridge where he received his BA and MA (history). Artist-in-Residence at the Ford Foundation in Berlin (1963-4), Harkness Fellow, Commonwealth Fund, New York (1967-8), member of the Council of the Institute of Contemporary Arts (1971-5), member of the Literature Panel at the Arts Council, (1975-7), and Adjunct Professor of Writing, Columbia University, New York (1980). From 1992-7 he was Chairman of the Catholic Writers' Guild. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature (FRSL).
His most well-known work is the non-fiction Alive: The Story of the Andes Survivors (1974), an account of the aftermath of a plane crash in the Andes, later adapted as a film.
His most well-known work is the non-fiction Alive: The Story of the Andes Survivors (1974), an account of the aftermath of a plane crash in the Andes, later adapted as a film.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
November 19, 2018
I loved this novel!!
I'm a big fan of the opera Tosca so I thought seeing a take on the backstory might be fun. But this book is a lot more than that. It's a very meaty historical fiction, set in the turbulent times that was Italy and the Papal States during the Napoleonic era. Plus the focus on Scarpia's history shows him not to be the villain you see in the opera.
I'm a big fan of the opera Tosca so I thought seeing a take on the backstory might be fun. But this book is a lot more than that. It's a very meaty historical fiction, set in the turbulent times that was Italy and the Papal States during the Napoleonic era. Plus the focus on Scarpia's history shows him not to be the villain you see in the opera.
March 9, 2016
+++ MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS+++
Actual Rating: 1,5
Il barone Scarpia is, as I have mentioned before, my absolute favourite operatic character. In fact, if opera characters could be said to have fangirls, the villainous chief of police would have to look no further. That said, the bar for a novel entitled 'Scarpia' was set fairly high.
Sadly, this book was not up to par.
I have seen Scarpia portrayed by numerous baritones which all brought different elements to the character: suave seducer, Iago'esque schemer, malicious manipulator or ill-tempered bully, none of these felt out of place. Yet, what they all had in common, what, to me, has in all these productions as well as in Sardous play been the very essence of Scarpia is his ruthless pursuit of his own interests above all else, his passionate nature, the very delight in his own evil.
Scarpia as written in this novel is none of these things; he is, in fact, the worst that could have been done to his character-he is utterly bland, boring and colourless.
The novel reads as an accumulation of historical facts and figures, in often tiresome detail. I do recognize this amount of research and attention to detail and accuracy as a feat and can to some point enjoy it-educating oneself is one of the many beautiful things about reading, after all.
What I can neither enjoy nor forgive, however, is that not only does Scarpia appear on perhaps at most 100 of the (in the edition I read) almost 370 pages but his character never comes alive, never feels vivid, neither likeable nor despicable.
Also, I did not like at all that the ending does not conform to that of Puccinis opera. Spoletta throwing Tosca off the ramparts?? And who ever decided that the poor man should be named Guido?! And anyway, Spoletta. I did not like what this book did to him. Looking to Puccini, to me he was, at most, in cahoots with his boss, not averse to the occasional corda but rather cowed by Scarpia (as revealed in the interrogation scene in the opera when Scarpia threatens to have Spoletta hanged for failing to apprehend Angelotti). In the novel, Spoletta was in parts what Scarpia should have been: coarse, cruel, ruthless. Their realtionship and his character did not ring true at all.
Neither did Tosca. Her relationship with Scarpia was perhaps the most disappointing part of this book. While the opera lives from the dynamics created between the two of them -Scarpia really is the agitator, masterfully pulling everyones strings and even in death having the last laugh as Cavaradossi is killed- in this novel his fervent pursuit of the diva is, well, nonexistent. They spend a night together and then part ways. He dies saying 'Oh, Floria'. Without his fixation on Tosca, his eagerness to have her no matter the cost the story is deprived of its main attraction. I would have loved to read about what led to his obsession, how he and Tosca have crossed paths-but this was just a disappontment.
The brilliant Susan Sontag has captured Scarpias essence more accurately in the few pages he appears in her awesome novel The Volcano Lover: A Romance than Mr. Read manages in an entire book supposedly dedicated to the baron.
Sadly, although well researched and bursting with historical detail, I could neither relate to any of the characters nor even the setting.
If you like your nonfiction disguised as a novel pretending to have a plot, this might be right up your alley. If you want to dive into the mind of one of the most enigmatic operatic villains, give this one a wide berth and try Paola Capriolo instead.
Actual Rating: 1,5
Il barone Scarpia is, as I have mentioned before, my absolute favourite operatic character. In fact, if opera characters could be said to have fangirls, the villainous chief of police would have to look no further. That said, the bar for a novel entitled 'Scarpia' was set fairly high.
Sadly, this book was not up to par.
I have seen Scarpia portrayed by numerous baritones which all brought different elements to the character: suave seducer, Iago'esque schemer, malicious manipulator or ill-tempered bully, none of these felt out of place. Yet, what they all had in common, what, to me, has in all these productions as well as in Sardous play been the very essence of Scarpia is his ruthless pursuit of his own interests above all else, his passionate nature, the very delight in his own evil.
Scarpia as written in this novel is none of these things; he is, in fact, the worst that could have been done to his character-he is utterly bland, boring and colourless.
The novel reads as an accumulation of historical facts and figures, in often tiresome detail. I do recognize this amount of research and attention to detail and accuracy as a feat and can to some point enjoy it-educating oneself is one of the many beautiful things about reading, after all.
What I can neither enjoy nor forgive, however, is that not only does Scarpia appear on perhaps at most 100 of the (in the edition I read) almost 370 pages but his character never comes alive, never feels vivid, neither likeable nor despicable.
Also, I did not like at all that the ending does not conform to that of Puccinis opera. Spoletta throwing Tosca off the ramparts?? And who ever decided that the poor man should be named Guido?! And anyway, Spoletta. I did not like what this book did to him. Looking to Puccini, to me he was, at most, in cahoots with his boss, not averse to the occasional corda but rather cowed by Scarpia (as revealed in the interrogation scene in the opera when Scarpia threatens to have Spoletta hanged for failing to apprehend Angelotti). In the novel, Spoletta was in parts what Scarpia should have been: coarse, cruel, ruthless. Their realtionship and his character did not ring true at all.
Neither did Tosca. Her relationship with Scarpia was perhaps the most disappointing part of this book. While the opera lives from the dynamics created between the two of them -Scarpia really is the agitator, masterfully pulling everyones strings and even in death having the last laugh as Cavaradossi is killed- in this novel his fervent pursuit of the diva is, well, nonexistent. They spend a night together and then part ways. He dies saying 'Oh, Floria'. Without his fixation on Tosca, his eagerness to have her no matter the cost the story is deprived of its main attraction. I would have loved to read about what led to his obsession, how he and Tosca have crossed paths-but this was just a disappontment.
The brilliant Susan Sontag has captured Scarpias essence more accurately in the few pages he appears in her awesome novel The Volcano Lover: A Romance than Mr. Read manages in an entire book supposedly dedicated to the baron.
Sadly, although well researched and bursting with historical detail, I could neither relate to any of the characters nor even the setting.
If you like your nonfiction disguised as a novel pretending to have a plot, this might be right up your alley. If you want to dive into the mind of one of the most enigmatic operatic villains, give this one a wide berth and try Paola Capriolo instead.
May 27, 2017
This has been my Italian year. I belong to a book club where a couple of months ago we read My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante that I didn't really enjoy, despite its huge success and popular acclaim. When I opened Scarpia by Piers Paul Read, I had no idea I would do Italy all over again. Maybe I should add at this stage that I've never been to Italy, have not been particularly drawn to the country and have certainly not given it much thought.
Piers Paul Read on the other hand I know well; I've read most of his books. His diversity pleases me - he has this range of countries and subjects that never fails to intrigue me, and I like his style of writing. Scarpia I bought because I've seen the opera a dozen times, have grown to like it and was simply curious what Read would make of the story. Not a book-club book, it was my own choice to read it. I had also seen two reviews of the book that were highly negative and one that was highly positive - a rare contrast in literary circles. "This is a historical novel for grown-ups," said Allan Massie, who has published novels of his own. His was the positive review I mentioned.
What I liked best about the novel was the way it opens up the latter part of the 18th century in Italy's history. The Puccini opera is high on drama, but its focus is on a handful of characters and the tensions between them. The novel by contrast paints a huge canvas, with lots of names, incidents and relationships - there is a vast amount of detail. Scarpia, a single individual, allows Read in the novel to explore what happened to Italy well before the country was unified, and it is all fascinating, at least to me. Read has successfully managed to make Scarpia part of this historical canvas; Scarpia is the means through which he forwards the story. And what a story it is! As I say, I knew only dimly what had happened in Italy.
As I like surprises, I don't want to spoil the novel for anybody who might think of reading it. If you know the opera, there are bound to be surprises for you. (And I wonder what you would make of it if you don't know it.)
I heartily recommend this novel. If I didn't give it full five stars, it is because of the ending and how it compares with the opera. I feel I'm still digesting it and this make take me quite a while yet. Read has turned some things on their head and there is plenty for me to contemplate.
Piers Paul Read on the other hand I know well; I've read most of his books. His diversity pleases me - he has this range of countries and subjects that never fails to intrigue me, and I like his style of writing. Scarpia I bought because I've seen the opera a dozen times, have grown to like it and was simply curious what Read would make of the story. Not a book-club book, it was my own choice to read it. I had also seen two reviews of the book that were highly negative and one that was highly positive - a rare contrast in literary circles. "This is a historical novel for grown-ups," said Allan Massie, who has published novels of his own. His was the positive review I mentioned.
What I liked best about the novel was the way it opens up the latter part of the 18th century in Italy's history. The Puccini opera is high on drama, but its focus is on a handful of characters and the tensions between them. The novel by contrast paints a huge canvas, with lots of names, incidents and relationships - there is a vast amount of detail. Scarpia, a single individual, allows Read in the novel to explore what happened to Italy well before the country was unified, and it is all fascinating, at least to me. Read has successfully managed to make Scarpia part of this historical canvas; Scarpia is the means through which he forwards the story. And what a story it is! As I say, I knew only dimly what had happened in Italy.
As I like surprises, I don't want to spoil the novel for anybody who might think of reading it. If you know the opera, there are bound to be surprises for you. (And I wonder what you would make of it if you don't know it.)
I heartily recommend this novel. If I didn't give it full five stars, it is because of the ending and how it compares with the opera. I feel I'm still digesting it and this make take me quite a while yet. Read has turned some things on their head and there is plenty for me to contemplate.
August 6, 2023
Opzich wel interessant maar:
- Pacing was hella weird
- hoeveel namen kan je letterlijk noemen in een boek
- en ik spreek geen Italiaans of latijn
- Pacing was hella weird
- hoeveel namen kan je letterlijk noemen in een boek
- en ik spreek geen Italiaans of latijn
April 5, 2016
Three and a half stars. Without the Tosca connection, perhaps there wouldn't have been much incentive to write this book. Nevertheless, it's nice to be able to report that the story of Scarpia and his life and times stands successfully on its own. Mr. Read has done a great job of merging history and imagination to produce a thoroughly interesting and well-paced novel of Italy, especially Rome and Venice, in the late 18th century. Scarpia comes of age in a decadent period; as a man of action (and good luck), he stands out and his political star is in the ascendancy. Mr. Read's style is straightforward; the novel follows Scarpia's life and loves, and illuminates the effect of the French Revolution on the aimless and spineless Roman culture of the time. The climactic confrontation follows logically from all that has gone before. All in all, an enjoyable mix of history, adventure and morals.
August 11, 2016
4+
Wonderful historical fiction. Scintillating vocabulary, loads of detail about the era's politics (late Enlightenment, French Revolution as it affected Italy) without encumbering the paced narrative. For opera fans, a different telling of the Tosca story. To be read slowly in order to absorb it optimally.
Wonderful historical fiction. Scintillating vocabulary, loads of detail about the era's politics (late Enlightenment, French Revolution as it affected Italy) without encumbering the paced narrative. For opera fans, a different telling of the Tosca story. To be read slowly in order to absorb it optimally.
January 27, 2016
First-rate historical fiction. It gives a vivid and well-researched view of Italy at the time of Napoleon and weaves in an interesting fictional story, a variation of Puccini's opera, Tosca.
September 4, 2018
Tosca is one of my favourite operas, largely because Scarpia is such a compelling villain (and because of Puccini's music, of course). So I couldn't resist picking up this book at my local used bookstore. Piers Paul Read tries to show the bias inherent in the original play on which Puccini based the opera, which was written by an anti-clerical French author (Victorien Sardou) who made the revolutionaries heroes, and the Catholic monarchists villains. The book gives Scarpia a back story based on the historical context of the kingdom of the Two Sicilies, and is a good overview of what happened in Southern Italy during the French revolution, when then General Bonaparte was campaigning in Northern Italy.
I had a harder time "buying" Floria Tosca as a peasant from the Veneto, but the book is well-written and engaging.
I had a harder time "buying" Floria Tosca as a peasant from the Veneto, but the book is well-written and engaging.
January 27, 2021
Everyone loves the tragic story of the brilliant opera diva Tosca, her fearless lover Mario Cavaradossi, and the abominable Scarpia. But is that really what happened? Puccini’s opera libretto was based on a play written by a French writer with a well known antipathy to the church. Piers Paul Read wrote a novel based on the true events, historical research, and real persons in Italy during the Napoleonic wars in 1760s that led to a brief depose of the Pope and a short lived republic in Rome. I’ve read this book several years ago but was compelled to reread it again after watching the 1985 Franco Zeffirelli production of Tosca at the Metropolitan Opera with Placido Domingo and Hildegard Behrens, now with more in depth understanding of the characters and the period.
If you love opera, this is a book for you.
If you love opera, this is a book for you.
December 15, 2018
A fascinating revisionist account of the story of Tosca from a more historically accurate point of view, according to the author. Puccini's villain, the sadistic policeman Scarpia, becomes an essentially decent though conflicted supporter of the Catholic monarchist regime in Eighteenth century Italy, opposed to the forces of reform inspired by the French Revolution. Scarpia has come to understand that for most people peaceful stability is of more value than war inspired by slogans. Woven into the tale is the life of the opera diva, Flavia Tosca, who becomes Tosca's nemesis for all the wrong reasons. In short, Read argues, Puccini was wrong.
September 27, 2024
This is a truly amazing novel, the type of I like more. Historical fiction, full of real historical facts of one of the most complex and adventurous moments of the pre-Italian republic time. The writer successes in a magnificent manner to blend the personal stories of the main characters with the dramatic historical events. The book raises many important questions about the republic vs. monarchy ideology, which in my view are presented in a very objective way.
February 10, 2021
not earth shattering but a pleasant entertaining read
January 9, 2022
Excellent. A gripping and well-imagined tale from this seasoned writer.
May 26, 2024
Brilliant weaving of history and the opera. Love that the author knows his Catholicism.
September 13, 2016
Could not make it passed page 100. Booring
February 11, 2017
Interesting details about Italy in the Napoleonic era. Some foreign words are necessary, as there is no good translation, but the constant religious Latin phrases and other Italian phrases were not really necessary.
January 12, 2017
I think without the Tosca connection the author would have had more scope for the story. I learned about the state of Italy at the time of the French Revolution and the rise of Napolion.It was good to recognise the dilemma faced by the church at that time and to see the connection between church and the common people of Rome, and how soon anarchy descends when there is no controlling mechanism in society, be it church or state. The main character Scarpia definitely had my sympathies as the story progressed, even though in the opera Tosca he was the arch villan.
March 29, 2016
I was in for a bit of a shock when I realized that I was essentially reading operatic fanfic but all-in-all this book based on my favorite opera was worth it. It provided some back story to the characters and even implied that the events of the opera may have been somewhat different from what "actually" happened, which is of course substituting one fiction for another, but overall it was an enjoyable and interesting read.
June 4, 2016
A bit heavy going and I never did get my head round all the names but very interesting take on Italy during the Napoleonic period -and of course the background story to the opera Tosca.
SPOILER if you don't know the opera at all.
Haven't actually seen that live and just had vague memories of Scarpia being stabbed, the name of Cavaradossi, and Tosca going over the battlements. (mostly stories of the actress bouncing back up....)
Will see this one sometime.....
SPOILER if you don't know the opera at all.
Haven't actually seen that live and just had vague memories of Scarpia being stabbed, the name of Cavaradossi, and Tosca going over the battlements. (mostly stories of the actress bouncing back up....)
Will see this one sometime.....
June 7, 2016
Interesting, well written story although at the beginning you have to really concentrate on all the characters that crop up and their backgrounds in the evolving story. It is a good mix of fiction and history and additionally interesting because of the necessary focus on some of the French and Italian history and events at that time. It took a while to get into because of the French and Italian names and places etc., but I was glad I persevered and enjoyed it.
July 1, 2016
Apparently written somewhat with ideas from Puccini's opera Tosca. Scarpia in this novel is a Sicilian nobleman who enjoys being a soldier. He gets sent off from the military for going against his superiors. This is a time in Italy that includes the decadent Roman royals, the revolutionary French, when Popes & the church had a lot of sway in everything, when Floria Tosca becomes a gifted opera star. Interesting escapades of Scarpia make this a good read. I enjoy historical fiction.
March 4, 2016
My benchmark for rich historical fiction is Dorothy Dunnett and this book didn't quite get there. She writes in such a way that you are in that past world whereas Read's writing tends to be more explanatory e.g. "in those days". Having said that, it's a great piece of imagining to take the figure of Scarpia from the opera Tosca and create a viable character and story line.
August 31, 2016
Brilliant historic novel about baron Vitello Scarpia, who in Puccini's opera Toscana is the scoundrel, but here emerges as a poor Sicilian who becomes a soldier and marries into the Roman aristocracy and sides with King Ferdinand of Naples.Interesting insight into the time and mores around 1800 in Italy
April 10, 2016
A little too much historical information. Where it's going becomes obvious pretty quickly. Too much a romantic novel for my taste.
April 14, 2016
Liked learning details of Italian history during this period. Had slow start and at times sounded a little too much like a textbook. But overall quite interesting.
August 11, 2016
Good read. I enjoyed the historical fictional references. Always enjoy the history of Italy and Rome.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews