What do you think?
Rate this book
Commissario Montalbano #6.5
El miedo de Montalbano
En esta última entrega de Andrea Camilleri, seis irresistibles narraciones nos devuelven el universo del comisario Montalbano en toda su riqueza y esplendor, para deleite de los lectores adictos a su particular manera de entender la vida. A plena luz del despiadado sol siciliano, con un humor no exento del realismo más implacable, surge un caudal de sentimientos irrefrenables: el odio que provoca una venganza cuyas consecuencias han de durar décadas en Mejor la oscuridad; o los resquemores que despierta en todo el cuerpo de policía de Vigàta el comportamiento aparentemente ingenuo, pero cargado de miradas salvajes, de la joven Grazia Giangrasso, en Herido de muerte. Y para arropar al comisario en su ardua tarea, no faltan los elementos de siempre: los desencuentros telefónicos con su novia Livia, las entrañables broncas con Mimì Augello, la perplejidad que siempre consigue producirle Catarella, el inefable telefonista de la comisaría. En esta ocasión, a los personajes conocidos se añaden otros nuevos, como el formal y distante comandante Verruso, antítesis de un Montalbano que descubrirá, con sorpresa y admiración, la dignidad y valentía con las que su nuevo aliado custodia un terrible secreto. Como es habitual en él, Montalbano aprovecha la resolución de los casos para exponer el contraluz de las cosas, de los acontecimientos y circunstancias que rodean los hechos, como si éstos fueran consecuencia de una condición colectiva, de otros dramas y otros padecimientos largamente sufridos, que escapan al control del individuo. Y todas esas dudas, miedos, tentaciones y contradicciones no hacen más que subrayar, si cabe, la profunda dimensión humana que ha hecho de este personaje el favorito de millones de lectores en todo el mundo.
288 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
60 people are currently reading
665 people want to read
About the author
Andrea Camilleri
430 books2,462 followersAndrea Camilleri was 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.
From 1948 to 1950 Camilleri studied stage and film direction at the Silvio D'Amico Academy of Dramatic Arts, and began to take on work as a director and screenwriter, directing especially plays by Pirandello and Beckett. As a matter of fact, his parents knew Pirandello and were even distant friends, as he tells in his essay on Pirandello "Biography of the changed son". His most famous works, the Montalbano series show many pirandellian elements: for example, the wild olive tree that helps Montalbano think, is on stage in his late work "The giants of the mountain"
With RAI, Camilleri worked on several TV productions, such as Inspector Maigret with Gino Cervi. In 1977 he returned to the Academy of Dramatic Arts, holding the chair of Movie Direction, and occupying it for 20 years.
In 1978 Camilleri wrote his first novel Il Corso Delle Cose ("The Way Things Go"). This was followed by Un Filo di Fumo ("A Thread of Smoke") in 1980. Neither of these works enjoyed any significant amount of popularity.
In 1992, after a long pause of 12 years, Camilleri once more took up novel-writing. A new book, La Stagione della Caccia ("The Hunting Season") turned out to be a best-seller.
In 1994 Camilleri published the first in a long series of novels: La forma dell'Acqua (The Shape of Water) featured the character of Inspector Montalbano, a fractious Sicilian detective in the police force of Vigàta, an imaginary Sicilian town. The series is written in Italian but with a substantial sprinkling of Sicilian phrases and grammar. The name Montalbano is an homage to the Spanish writer Manuel Vázquez Montalbán; the similarities between Montalban's Pepe Carvalho and Camilleri's fictional detective are remarkable. Both writers make great play of their protagonists' gastronomic preferences.
This feature provides an interesting quirk which has become something of a fad among his readership even in mainland Italy. The TV adaptation of Montalbano's adventures, starring the perfectly-cast Luca Zingaretti, further increased Camilleri's popularity to such a point that in 2003 Camilleri's home town, Porto Empedocle - on which Vigàta is modelled - took the extraordinary step of changing its official denomination to that of Porto Empedocle Vigàta, no doubt with an eye to capitalising on the tourism possibilities thrown up by the author's work.
In 1998 Camilleri won the Nino Martoglio International Book Award.
Camilleri lived in Rome where he worked as a TV and theatre director. About 10 million copies of his novels have been sold to date, and are becoming increasingly popular in the UK and North America.
In addition to the degree of popularity brought him by the novels, in recent months Andrea Camilleri has become even more of a media icon thanks to the parodies aired on an RAI radio show, where popular comedian, TV-host and impression artist Fiorello presents him as a raspy voiced, caustic character, madly in love with cigarettes and smoking (Camilleri is well-known for his love of tobacco).
He received an honorary degree from University of Pisa in 2005.
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.
From 1948 to 1950 Camilleri studied stage and film direction at the Silvio D'Amico Academy of Dramatic Arts, and began to take on work as a director and screenwriter, directing especially plays by Pirandello and Beckett. As a matter of fact, his parents knew Pirandello and were even distant friends, as he tells in his essay on Pirandello "Biography of the changed son". His most famous works, the Montalbano series show many pirandellian elements: for example, the wild olive tree that helps Montalbano think, is on stage in his late work "The giants of the mountain"
With RAI, Camilleri worked on several TV productions, such as Inspector Maigret with Gino Cervi. In 1977 he returned to the Academy of Dramatic Arts, holding the chair of Movie Direction, and occupying it for 20 years.
In 1978 Camilleri wrote his first novel Il Corso Delle Cose ("The Way Things Go"). This was followed by Un Filo di Fumo ("A Thread of Smoke") in 1980. Neither of these works enjoyed any significant amount of popularity.
In 1992, after a long pause of 12 years, Camilleri once more took up novel-writing. A new book, La Stagione della Caccia ("The Hunting Season") turned out to be a best-seller.
In 1994 Camilleri published the first in a long series of novels: La forma dell'Acqua (The Shape of Water) featured the character of Inspector Montalbano, a fractious Sicilian detective in the police force of Vigàta, an imaginary Sicilian town. The series is written in Italian but with a substantial sprinkling of Sicilian phrases and grammar. The name Montalbano is an homage to the Spanish writer Manuel Vázquez Montalbán; the similarities between Montalban's Pepe Carvalho and Camilleri's fictional detective are remarkable. Both writers make great play of their protagonists' gastronomic preferences.
This feature provides an interesting quirk which has become something of a fad among his readership even in mainland Italy. The TV adaptation of Montalbano's adventures, starring the perfectly-cast Luca Zingaretti, further increased Camilleri's popularity to such a point that in 2003 Camilleri's home town, Porto Empedocle - on which Vigàta is modelled - took the extraordinary step of changing its official denomination to that of Porto Empedocle Vigàta, no doubt with an eye to capitalising on the tourism possibilities thrown up by the author's work.
In 1998 Camilleri won the Nino Martoglio International Book Award.
Camilleri lived in Rome where he worked as a TV and theatre director. About 10 million copies of his novels have been sold to date, and are becoming increasingly popular in the UK and North America.
In addition to the degree of popularity brought him by the novels, in recent months Andrea Camilleri has become even more of a media icon thanks to the parodies aired on an RAI radio show, where popular comedian, TV-host and impression artist Fiorello presents him as a raspy voiced, caustic character, madly in love with cigarettes and smoking (Camilleri is well-known for his love of tobacco).
He received an honorary degree from University of Pisa in 2005.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 134 reviews
December 15, 2025
Tres novelas cortas y tres relatos breves protagonizados por Montalbano. Me gusta especialmente cono reflejan las manías y neurosis del protagonista, además en una de las novelas, Catarella tiene bastante protagonismo y eso siempre la hace más divertida.
January 4, 2015
The Fourth Secret opens with a nightmare: Chief Inspector Salvo Montalbano dreams that someone’s shot and killed Catarella, the error-prone Vigàta police who’s devoted to his superior. Although no Freudian, Montalbano thinks the dream’s a warning, but of what?
Author Andrea Camilleri had me from the very first pages, and I read straight through the night, riveted by The Fourth Secret’s many twists. This 77-page novella appears in English just four months before the 18th Montalbano novel, Game of Mirrors, is scheduled to be released in its English translation; it certainly made the wait more bearable.
As Montalbano discovers, an Albanian construction worker has died from a fall from scaffolding — hardly a crime — except that there were six such “tragedies in the workplace” in the province of Montelusa in a single month. And a letter had been mailed to Montalbano three days before the death, although it arrived too late for the latter to intercede. In the matter of the dead Albanian — whose “accident” was no accident — Montalbano teams up with the loyal, if dim-witted, Catarella to follow the trail of these “accidents” to dangerous high levels of Sicilian society and to men ruthless enough to make Montalbano’s nightmare come true.
First-time readers will find this five-star read a fabulous introduction to a fabulous mystery series, while longtime fans, like me, will welcome any chance to reunite with their long-lost friends at the Vigàta police station.
Author Andrea Camilleri had me from the very first pages, and I read straight through the night, riveted by The Fourth Secret’s many twists. This 77-page novella appears in English just four months before the 18th Montalbano novel, Game of Mirrors, is scheduled to be released in its English translation; it certainly made the wait more bearable.
As Montalbano discovers, an Albanian construction worker has died from a fall from scaffolding — hardly a crime — except that there were six such “tragedies in the workplace” in the province of Montelusa in a single month. And a letter had been mailed to Montalbano three days before the death, although it arrived too late for the latter to intercede. In the matter of the dead Albanian — whose “accident” was no accident — Montalbano teams up with the loyal, if dim-witted, Catarella to follow the trail of these “accidents” to dangerous high levels of Sicilian society and to men ruthless enough to make Montalbano’s nightmare come true.
First-time readers will find this five-star read a fabulous introduction to a fabulous mystery series, while longtime fans, like me, will welcome any chance to reunite with their long-lost friends at the Vigàta police station.
February 9, 2024
È una piccola raccolta di racconti gialli, sempre ironici ed avvincenti.
"Ferito a morte" è il migliore dei sei racconti, sia per la trama che per lo sviluppo dei personaggi.
Camilleri è un maestro nell'intrecciare elementi di suspense, umorismo e commento sociale, offrendoci uno sguardo privilegiato sulla cultura e la società siciliana.
"Ferito a morte" è il migliore dei sei racconti, sia per la trama che per lo sviluppo dei personaggi.
Camilleri è un maestro nell'intrecciare elementi di suspense, umorismo e commento sociale, offrendoci uno sguardo privilegiato sulla cultura e la società siciliana.
July 25, 2024
El Miedo de Montalbano - Es el noveno libro de la saga del comisario Montalbano, personaje creado por el genio de Andrea Camillieri.
Este es el tercer libro de la saga compuesto por relatos cortos, la diferencia es que son menos cantidad y más largos. Ahora no recuerdo bien, pero creo que son 6, dos de ellos muy cortos y los otros 4 largos. En total son casi 300 páginas que se leen muy rápido.
Como siempre algunos relatos son mejores que otros, o por lo menos en mí tuvieron diferente impacto. Algunos son más cómicos y otros son más dramáticos.
Entre los cómicos está uno cortito en el que Salvo debe dejar su pueblito en la isla para ir a Roma a hablar con un superior. Los que conocen al comisario sabrán que odia dejar su pueblo, odia dejar su trabajo y odia ir a Roma. Al llegar se encontrará con un compañero del colegio que siempre los metía en líos el cual lo invita a cenar a su casa. Montalbano se quiere matar porque no quiere ir pero termina yendo. En el viaje a la casa de su ex compañero descubrirá algo muy curioso en el medio de un torrencial de lluvia que hará que la noche se vuelva más interesante.
Entre los que tienen más drama me gusto mucho el caso que tiene que investigar de la muerte de un obrero de la construcción que tras sus primeras investigaciones descubre que no era un obrero sino alguien que se hacía pasar por uno. Lo apartan del caso y se lo dan a otro detective visto como menos problemático... Automáticamente Salvo piensa que este comisario debe ser un patán alcahuete de los jefes, pero no, resulta ser un buen tipo que está muriendo por una grave enfermedad por lo cual le pide ayuda a Montalbano para descubrir a los culpables del asesinato y detenerlo antes de que se le termine el tiempo.
Lo que más me gusta es que uno de los personajes más queribles de este universo como Catarella (el torpe, cariñoso y bastante tonto telefonista de la comisaría) tiene mucho más protagonismo que en anteriores libros. Incluso uno de los relatos más largos gira en torno a él.
Este es un libro redondo de Camillieri en el que logra algo que es bastante difícil, que un libro de historias cortas resulte 100% entretenido, que mantenga un nivel parejo y de mucho placer leerlo.
Excelente libro para ser el primero del año.
Este es el tercer libro de la saga compuesto por relatos cortos, la diferencia es que son menos cantidad y más largos. Ahora no recuerdo bien, pero creo que son 6, dos de ellos muy cortos y los otros 4 largos. En total son casi 300 páginas que se leen muy rápido.
Como siempre algunos relatos son mejores que otros, o por lo menos en mí tuvieron diferente impacto. Algunos son más cómicos y otros son más dramáticos.
Entre los cómicos está uno cortito en el que Salvo debe dejar su pueblito en la isla para ir a Roma a hablar con un superior. Los que conocen al comisario sabrán que odia dejar su pueblo, odia dejar su trabajo y odia ir a Roma. Al llegar se encontrará con un compañero del colegio que siempre los metía en líos el cual lo invita a cenar a su casa. Montalbano se quiere matar porque no quiere ir pero termina yendo. En el viaje a la casa de su ex compañero descubrirá algo muy curioso en el medio de un torrencial de lluvia que hará que la noche se vuelva más interesante.
Entre los que tienen más drama me gusto mucho el caso que tiene que investigar de la muerte de un obrero de la construcción que tras sus primeras investigaciones descubre que no era un obrero sino alguien que se hacía pasar por uno. Lo apartan del caso y se lo dan a otro detective visto como menos problemático... Automáticamente Salvo piensa que este comisario debe ser un patán alcahuete de los jefes, pero no, resulta ser un buen tipo que está muriendo por una grave enfermedad por lo cual le pide ayuda a Montalbano para descubrir a los culpables del asesinato y detenerlo antes de que se le termine el tiempo.
Lo que más me gusta es que uno de los personajes más queribles de este universo como Catarella (el torpe, cariñoso y bastante tonto telefonista de la comisaría) tiene mucho más protagonismo que en anteriores libros. Incluso uno de los relatos más largos gira en torno a él.
Este es un libro redondo de Camillieri en el que logra algo que es bastante difícil, que un libro de historias cortas resulte 100% entretenido, que mantenga un nivel parejo y de mucho placer leerlo.
Excelente libro para ser el primero del año.
December 20, 2022
(reseña conjunta con El olor de la noche)
“Admiración. No, mucho más que eso: respeto. Por la serena valentía, por la tranquila determinación de aquel hombre. Una vez había leído un verso que decía más o menos que lo que ayuda a vivir es el pensamiento de la muerte. Ya, el pensamiento puede que sí, pero la certeza de la muerte, su cotidiana presencia, su diaria manifestación, su atroz tictac (…), todo eso ¿no habría tal vez provocado en él, Montalbano, un indecible e insoportable terror? ¿De qué estaba hecho el hombre que tenía delante? ”
A golpe de martes os traigo las reseñas de los libros de bolsillo de Montalbano 8 y 9, una novela y una antología de relatos que siguen siendo toda una delicia para los seguidores del comisario:
🌘El olor de la noche. Un financiero (estafador, conocedor de todas las triquiñuelas del mundo) ha desaparecido después de desvalijar a medio pueblo, por lo que está el ambiente caldeado. ¿Se habría trasladado a una isla de la Polinesia burlándose de los que habían confiado en él? ¿O se había aprovechado del dinero de un mafioso y está sirviendo de alimento a los peces del mar? Este libro tiene uno de los comienzos más graciosos que he leído en esta serie: Augello va a cambiar de vida, Montalbano necesita esconder un suéter y hay un loro que canta La Internacional (y cantaba tan bien que tuvo que felicitar al maestro). En contraposición con esto, en El olor de la noche también vemos al comisario con una crisis bien fuerte, por lo que además de darle vueltas al caso lo acompañaremos en sus reflexiones sobre el paso del tiempo, con uno de los finales más poéticos que recuerdo.
🏔️El miedo de Montalbano. Está compuesto por 6 relatos (3 más largos) donde somos partícipes de su manera de entender la vida: Salvo sale de Sicilia y tiene que ir a Roma -Salvo odia salir de Sicilia, odia ir a Roma- , aparece un personaje nuevo por el que acaba teniendo total admiración, y una de las mejores cosas… ¡Cataré tiene más protagonismo en esta antología! Son historias bastante simples donde se disfruta tanto del contexto como de la resolución de los casos.
Y vosotros ¿queréis a Salvo tanto como yo? 🤎
“Admiración. No, mucho más que eso: respeto. Por la serena valentía, por la tranquila determinación de aquel hombre. Una vez había leído un verso que decía más o menos que lo que ayuda a vivir es el pensamiento de la muerte. Ya, el pensamiento puede que sí, pero la certeza de la muerte, su cotidiana presencia, su diaria manifestación, su atroz tictac (…), todo eso ¿no habría tal vez provocado en él, Montalbano, un indecible e insoportable terror? ¿De qué estaba hecho el hombre que tenía delante? ”
A golpe de martes os traigo las reseñas de los libros de bolsillo de Montalbano 8 y 9, una novela y una antología de relatos que siguen siendo toda una delicia para los seguidores del comisario:
🌘El olor de la noche. Un financiero (estafador, conocedor de todas las triquiñuelas del mundo) ha desaparecido después de desvalijar a medio pueblo, por lo que está el ambiente caldeado. ¿Se habría trasladado a una isla de la Polinesia burlándose de los que habían confiado en él? ¿O se había aprovechado del dinero de un mafioso y está sirviendo de alimento a los peces del mar? Este libro tiene uno de los comienzos más graciosos que he leído en esta serie: Augello va a cambiar de vida, Montalbano necesita esconder un suéter y hay un loro que canta La Internacional (y cantaba tan bien que tuvo que felicitar al maestro). En contraposición con esto, en El olor de la noche también vemos al comisario con una crisis bien fuerte, por lo que además de darle vueltas al caso lo acompañaremos en sus reflexiones sobre el paso del tiempo, con uno de los finales más poéticos que recuerdo.
🏔️El miedo de Montalbano. Está compuesto por 6 relatos (3 más largos) donde somos partícipes de su manera de entender la vida: Salvo sale de Sicilia y tiene que ir a Roma -Salvo odia salir de Sicilia, odia ir a Roma- , aparece un personaje nuevo por el que acaba teniendo total admiración, y una de las mejores cosas… ¡Cataré tiene más protagonismo en esta antología! Son historias bastante simples donde se disfruta tanto del contexto como de la resolución de los casos.
Y vosotros ¿queréis a Salvo tanto como yo? 🤎
April 10, 2020
3* Por Uma Linha Telefônica
4* The Shape of Water (Inspector Montalbano, #1)
4* The Terra-Cotta Dog (Inspector Montalbano, #2)
3* Excursion to Tindari (Inspector Montalbano, #5)
4* The Smell of the Night (Inspector Montalbano, #6)
3* La paura di Montalbano (Inspector Montalbano, #6.5)
3* Rounding the Mark (Inspector Montalbano, #7)
4* The Patience of the Spider (Inspector Montalbano, #8)
4* The Paper Moon (Inspector Montalbano, #9)
3* The Wings of the Sphinx (Inspector Montalbano, #11)
3* Acqua in bocca (Inspector Montalbano, #16.5)
4* Treasure Hunt (Inspector Montalbano, #16)
4* Una voce di notte (Montalbano, #20)
TR The Snack Thief (Inspector Montalbano, #3)
TR Voice of the Violin (Inspector Montalbano, #4)
TR Un mese con Montalbano (Inspector Montalbano, #4.5)
TR Gli arancini di Montalbano (Inspector Montalbano, #4.7)
TR Storie di Montalbano (Inspector Montalbano, #6.7)
TR La prima indagine di Montalbano (Inspector Montalbano, #8.5)
TR August Heat (Inspector Montalbano, #10)
TR The Track of Sand (Inspector Montalbano, #12)
TR The Potter's Field (Inspector Montalbano, #13)
TR The Age of Doubt (Inspector Montalbano, #14)
TR Racconti di Montalbano (Inspector Montalbano, #14.5)
TR The Dance of the Seagull (Inspector Montalbano, #15)
TR Il sorriso di Angelica (Montalbano, #17)
TR Il gioco degli specchi (Montalbano, #18)
TR Una lama di luce (Montalbano, #19)
TR Un covo di vipere (Montalbano, #21)
TR La piramide di fango (Montalbano, #22)
TR La giostra degli scambi (Montalbano, #23)
4* The Shape of Water (Inspector Montalbano, #1)
4* The Terra-Cotta Dog (Inspector Montalbano, #2)
3* Excursion to Tindari (Inspector Montalbano, #5)
4* The Smell of the Night (Inspector Montalbano, #6)
3* La paura di Montalbano (Inspector Montalbano, #6.5)
3* Rounding the Mark (Inspector Montalbano, #7)
4* The Patience of the Spider (Inspector Montalbano, #8)
4* The Paper Moon (Inspector Montalbano, #9)
3* The Wings of the Sphinx (Inspector Montalbano, #11)
3* Acqua in bocca (Inspector Montalbano, #16.5)
4* Treasure Hunt (Inspector Montalbano, #16)
4* Una voce di notte (Montalbano, #20)
TR The Snack Thief (Inspector Montalbano, #3)
TR Voice of the Violin (Inspector Montalbano, #4)
TR Un mese con Montalbano (Inspector Montalbano, #4.5)
TR Gli arancini di Montalbano (Inspector Montalbano, #4.7)
TR Storie di Montalbano (Inspector Montalbano, #6.7)
TR La prima indagine di Montalbano (Inspector Montalbano, #8.5)
TR August Heat (Inspector Montalbano, #10)
TR The Track of Sand (Inspector Montalbano, #12)
TR The Potter's Field (Inspector Montalbano, #13)
TR The Age of Doubt (Inspector Montalbano, #14)
TR Racconti di Montalbano (Inspector Montalbano, #14.5)
TR The Dance of the Seagull (Inspector Montalbano, #15)
TR Il sorriso di Angelica (Montalbano, #17)
TR Il gioco degli specchi (Montalbano, #18)
TR Una lama di luce (Montalbano, #19)
TR Un covo di vipere (Montalbano, #21)
TR La piramide di fango (Montalbano, #22)
TR La giostra degli scambi (Montalbano, #23)
September 12, 2017
A novella covering a workplace accident which looks like murder, based on an anonymous note sent to Montalbano, causing him to initiate an unofficial investigation. The local Marshal leading the official investigation seeks his help and foul play in the local construction industry starts to become clear. Short book but a concise plot and well written as usual
November 9, 2014
More novella than novel, this latest translation in the Italian Inspector Montalbano Series, a police procedural series set in Sicily, will satisfy adult fans. If you are a fan of the television film series adapted from the books, then you will already know this story. The books were adapted faithfully, and the actors portray the characters with just as much faithfulness, that you will surely picture the show just as I did while reading The Fourth Secret.
The Montalbano books (and the TV show) are rich with food, colleagues, Montabano's home by the sea, and his relationship with his long-distance, long-suffering girlfriend Livia. Montalbano is an egocentric workaholic who is not always decent with his work mates, and almost never decent to his girlfriend, who is really just an easy woman for the emotionally stunted Montalbano.
If you are not familiar with the characters or locations, then you might have difficulty reading The Fourth Secret, since the author provides very little background information. It is assumed that you are a fan of the series and have read the other books.
The author loves to highlight in his books the sometimes eccentric beliefs and behaviors of his Sicilian-Italian compatriots. He relishes their fears, neuroticism, amorality and poor male-female relationships. That is where most of the humor comes from in the book.
There are frequent vulgarities in the book, some sex, and many cases of confusing pronouns.
Please read my full and illustrated review at Italophile Book Reviews.
http://italophilebookreviews.blogspot...
The Montalbano books (and the TV show) are rich with food, colleagues, Montabano's home by the sea, and his relationship with his long-distance, long-suffering girlfriend Livia. Montalbano is an egocentric workaholic who is not always decent with his work mates, and almost never decent to his girlfriend, who is really just an easy woman for the emotionally stunted Montalbano.
If you are not familiar with the characters or locations, then you might have difficulty reading The Fourth Secret, since the author provides very little background information. It is assumed that you are a fan of the series and have read the other books.
The author loves to highlight in his books the sometimes eccentric beliefs and behaviors of his Sicilian-Italian compatriots. He relishes their fears, neuroticism, amorality and poor male-female relationships. That is where most of the humor comes from in the book.
There are frequent vulgarities in the book, some sex, and many cases of confusing pronouns.
Please read my full and illustrated review at Italophile Book Reviews.
http://italophilebookreviews.blogspot...
October 16, 2014
I received an ARC ebook copy of this novella from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is the second book that I have read of this series and I loved it. I felt like I had taken a short trip to a quaint little Italian town and got a sense of the life and people there.
The mystery surrounds a series of deaths at construction sites that may be the result of a sinister mafia extortion plot. The mystery was very interesting and well done, but the charm of this novella lies in the characters and the overall light, humorous tone of the work. Much like Agatha Christie novels often re-create a different time and world than we have today, this series, at least for an American audience, transports us to the Italian coast. These detectives are nothing like their gritty and jaded American or British counter-parts. Opera, cultural and food references abound, and we see more of the personalities of the detectives than a display of their skills or physical prowess. Oh, they are highly skilled and get the job done, to be sure, but it is the way they go about it, with humor, wit, and a distinctive Italian mind set that sets this series apart and makes The Fourth Secret a thoroughly enjoyable novella.
Highest recommendation to lovers of classic style mysteries.
This is the second book that I have read of this series and I loved it. I felt like I had taken a short trip to a quaint little Italian town and got a sense of the life and people there.
The mystery surrounds a series of deaths at construction sites that may be the result of a sinister mafia extortion plot. The mystery was very interesting and well done, but the charm of this novella lies in the characters and the overall light, humorous tone of the work. Much like Agatha Christie novels often re-create a different time and world than we have today, this series, at least for an American audience, transports us to the Italian coast. These detectives are nothing like their gritty and jaded American or British counter-parts. Opera, cultural and food references abound, and we see more of the personalities of the detectives than a display of their skills or physical prowess. Oh, they are highly skilled and get the job done, to be sure, but it is the way they go about it, with humor, wit, and a distinctive Italian mind set that sets this series apart and makes The Fourth Secret a thoroughly enjoyable novella.
Highest recommendation to lovers of classic style mysteries.
October 24, 2014
Camilleri vince un'impresa che con me si rivela quasi sempre proibitiva: quella di conquistarmi anche con dei racconti!
Fa dire al commissario Montalbano di preferire limitarsi ai fatti e alle indagini, di non volersi interessare alla psicologia e ai labirinti dell'animo umano, mentre lui, al contrario, scandaglia e mette a nudo le personalit�� pi�� complesse e i sentimenti pi�� contraddittori. E mentre lo leggi ti accorgi che in fondo l'importante non �� tanto scoprire il colpevole ma solamente il perch��.
Fa dire al commissario Montalbano di preferire limitarsi ai fatti e alle indagini, di non volersi interessare alla psicologia e ai labirinti dell'animo umano, mentre lui, al contrario, scandaglia e mette a nudo le personalit�� pi�� complesse e i sentimenti pi�� contraddittori. E mentre lo leggi ti accorgi che in fondo l'importante non �� tanto scoprire il colpevole ma solamente il perch��.
September 2, 2017
After several recommendations to try Camilleri, I read this novella. If this is typical of the rest of his books, I won't be reading any more.
May 14, 2024
Tre "romanzi brevi" e tre racconti compongono questa raccolta di Montalbano.
I tre racconti sono tutto sommato dimenticabili, non ci sono misteri ma solo scenette più o meno interessanti (ma prevalentemente meno: il migliore è Un cappello pieno di pioggia per l'inusuale ambientazione romana).
I tre romanzi sono avvincenti, in particolare Meglio lo scuro dato che Salvo viene convinto a far luce su un caso di omicidio ormai caduto in prescrizione da un "parrino", cioè da un prete.
Menzione d'onore per i surreali dialoghi tra il Commissario e Catarella in Ferito a morte, che però non mi è piaciuto perché si arriva immediatamente ad identificare il colpevole e ci sono un paio di morti collaterali "brutte".
I tre racconti sono tutto sommato dimenticabili, non ci sono misteri ma solo scenette più o meno interessanti (ma prevalentemente meno: il migliore è Un cappello pieno di pioggia per l'inusuale ambientazione romana).
I tre romanzi sono avvincenti, in particolare Meglio lo scuro dato che Salvo viene convinto a far luce su un caso di omicidio ormai caduto in prescrizione da un "parrino", cioè da un prete.
Menzione d'onore per i surreali dialoghi tra il Commissario e Catarella in Ferito a morte, che però non mi è piaciuto perché si arriva immediatamente ad identificare il colpevole e ci sono un paio di morti collaterali "brutte".
August 16, 2022
Άψογη νουβέλα με σπέσιαλ συμπρωταγωνιστή Καταρελα
October 16, 2014
The Fourth Secret by – An Inspector Montalbano Mystery by Andrea Camilleri is a 2014 Open Road Media Publications. I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I was invited to review this one and since I love mysteries I agreed to read and review. So, as I went to put the book in my “to read” shelf I noticed there many titles in this series and this book was translated into English from Spanish. I believe I it right that this book was originally published in 2002. This does explain a lot of things the reader might wonder about such as the mention of VCR players and only one small reference to a cell phone. I thought it was kind of funny and it didn't have an effect on the story.
This is a short tale involving a string of deaths at construction companies.
“Six dead in the workplace in one month in the province of Montelusa is quite a number.” Once the inspector is notified, a bit too late to prevent another death, he begins to wonder what is going on and why. The death rate did seem really high.
“Was anyone keeping track? Yes, every now and then , somebody did, and then some contrite face of a newscaster would announce to the entire world how that was certainly a high number, however, it was within the average of the European Union. And now on to sports. Thank you and come again.”
I thought some of the dialogue was pretty funny, I don't know if that was intentional or not. I had no trouble following along with the story, but while I am no expert on translations, I did have to wonder at some of the dialogue. Did this character actually speak this way or was it a bad translation? I really do think the translation was a little off .
Overall, for being unfamiliar with the series, and with this one being a really short read, I don't know if I picked up on all I should have but I caught enough of the character developments to pique my interest in reading a longer novel in the series somewhere down the road. This is certainly not the story you want to start out with. I was on the fence with this one but to be fair I am going to sit down in the middle of the road and go with a 3.
I was invited to review this one and since I love mysteries I agreed to read and review. So, as I went to put the book in my “to read” shelf I noticed there many titles in this series and this book was translated into English from Spanish. I believe I it right that this book was originally published in 2002. This does explain a lot of things the reader might wonder about such as the mention of VCR players and only one small reference to a cell phone. I thought it was kind of funny and it didn't have an effect on the story.
This is a short tale involving a string of deaths at construction companies.
“Six dead in the workplace in one month in the province of Montelusa is quite a number.” Once the inspector is notified, a bit too late to prevent another death, he begins to wonder what is going on and why. The death rate did seem really high.
“Was anyone keeping track? Yes, every now and then , somebody did, and then some contrite face of a newscaster would announce to the entire world how that was certainly a high number, however, it was within the average of the European Union. And now on to sports. Thank you and come again.”
I thought some of the dialogue was pretty funny, I don't know if that was intentional or not. I had no trouble following along with the story, but while I am no expert on translations, I did have to wonder at some of the dialogue. Did this character actually speak this way or was it a bad translation? I really do think the translation was a little off .
Overall, for being unfamiliar with the series, and with this one being a really short read, I don't know if I picked up on all I should have but I caught enough of the character developments to pique my interest in reading a longer novel in the series somewhere down the road. This is certainly not the story you want to start out with. I was on the fence with this one but to be fair I am going to sit down in the middle of the road and go with a 3.
February 4, 2017
Over the years, I have enjoyed the Inspector Montalbano books but this novella really doesn’t stand up to the rest of the series. I found that puzzling because, while Montalbano doesn’t have the pleasing personality of, say, Commissario Guido Brunetti (Donna Leon’s protagonist) or Chief of Police Bruno (Martin Walker), he has never struck me as inept or unpleasant. This time he did.
I had an interest in the investigation from the beginning because of the questions surrounding a warning letter and, of all things, a pedicure, but the story was marred for me by two things, the overuse of profanity and the introduction of characters without any sort of explanation as to who they are or why most of them are surly and almost irrational. It felt as though this plotline was lifted from the middle of a full-length novel.
Then, the lightbulb went off. As it turns out, this was actually written years ago so the characters have not enjoyed the growth and evolution that they have when reading the series in order. The second and far more important problem is the translation from the original Italian. Most of the books are quite well done but the same can not be said of this and it is, in fact, a different translator. Sentences are choppy and sometimes make little sense and the translator did not have a thorough understanding of English. It’s just not a top-notch translation and there’s no doubt that hurts the reader’s reception of the characters and the plot.
In the end, while this is certainly not the worst thing I ever read, it’s not a good representation of the enjoyment to be found in the series as a whole. I’d suggest that anyone meeting Inspector Montalbano with this novella ignore it and start over with the first full-length book, The Shape of Water.
I had an interest in the investigation from the beginning because of the questions surrounding a warning letter and, of all things, a pedicure, but the story was marred for me by two things, the overuse of profanity and the introduction of characters without any sort of explanation as to who they are or why most of them are surly and almost irrational. It felt as though this plotline was lifted from the middle of a full-length novel.
Then, the lightbulb went off. As it turns out, this was actually written years ago so the characters have not enjoyed the growth and evolution that they have when reading the series in order. The second and far more important problem is the translation from the original Italian. Most of the books are quite well done but the same can not be said of this and it is, in fact, a different translator. Sentences are choppy and sometimes make little sense and the translator did not have a thorough understanding of English. It’s just not a top-notch translation and there’s no doubt that hurts the reader’s reception of the characters and the plot.
In the end, while this is certainly not the worst thing I ever read, it’s not a good representation of the enjoyment to be found in the series as a whole. I’d suggest that anyone meeting Inspector Montalbano with this novella ignore it and start over with the first full-length book, The Shape of Water.
January 21, 2015
When I found out this was La paura di Montalbano and fell roughly between books 6 and 7 I had to read it as soon as I could.
Fans of The Young Montalbano will have seen the story adapted almost page by page into scene by scene in The Third Secret.
There is much to like in this story. It shows the inspector's love of food; trouble with dreams; difficult relations with Livia and his appreciation of other women; the mutual love and respect in his team and the comic genius that is the character Caterella.
It is a story that turns on a letter sent to warn of a murder which arrives too late to prevent the crime as it is delayed in the post. The letter should be turned over as it isn't in Montalbano's jurisdiction but they investigate it nevertheless on the quiet. When they are found out it could be the end of their careers, however if they could only collaborate maybe the case could be cracked open and the serious criminals be brought to justice.
Speaks loudly of each characters personality as written by Camilleri whose writing never fails to bring a smile to your face.
The story is tense and cleverly unfolds to bring it all together, unfortunately for Montalbano it may be that he is lucky in crime solving and unlucky in love.
I would recommend this brief account as a wonderful opportunity to find and keep a treasured writer close to your heart as all these books in this terrific series are a joy to read.
Fans of The Young Montalbano will have seen the story adapted almost page by page into scene by scene in The Third Secret.
There is much to like in this story. It shows the inspector's love of food; trouble with dreams; difficult relations with Livia and his appreciation of other women; the mutual love and respect in his team and the comic genius that is the character Caterella.
It is a story that turns on a letter sent to warn of a murder which arrives too late to prevent the crime as it is delayed in the post. The letter should be turned over as it isn't in Montalbano's jurisdiction but they investigate it nevertheless on the quiet. When they are found out it could be the end of their careers, however if they could only collaborate maybe the case could be cracked open and the serious criminals be brought to justice.
Speaks loudly of each characters personality as written by Camilleri whose writing never fails to bring a smile to your face.
The story is tense and cleverly unfolds to bring it all together, unfortunately for Montalbano it may be that he is lucky in crime solving and unlucky in love.
I would recommend this brief account as a wonderful opportunity to find and keep a treasured writer close to your heart as all these books in this terrific series are a joy to read.
December 16, 2014
'The Fourth Secret' is a novella featuring Inspector Montalbano. It was my introduction to this series, and I felt a little lost, but still enjoyed it well enough.
When a construction worker falls from a scaffold, it all appears to be just an on the job accident. Things don't seem to add up, including the fact that the dead worker had a pedicure. Also, there have been a few more of these sort of "accidents." Inspector Montalbano doesn't want to get in trouble investigating outside his jurisdiction, but eventually he finds himself working with an inspector from the carabinieri. Add to that the comedy of errors by the people working for Montalbano, and you end up with a pretty good book.
It's a police procedural with some humor mixed in. Office politics and crazy co-workers, but it doesn't detract from the mystery. Apparently there is a television series based on this series. I think I'll have to go look it up now. Not bad.
I received a review copy of this ebook from Open Road Integrated Media and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this fun ebook.
When a construction worker falls from a scaffold, it all appears to be just an on the job accident. Things don't seem to add up, including the fact that the dead worker had a pedicure. Also, there have been a few more of these sort of "accidents." Inspector Montalbano doesn't want to get in trouble investigating outside his jurisdiction, but eventually he finds himself working with an inspector from the carabinieri. Add to that the comedy of errors by the people working for Montalbano, and you end up with a pretty good book.
It's a police procedural with some humor mixed in. Office politics and crazy co-workers, but it doesn't detract from the mystery. Apparently there is a television series based on this series. I think I'll have to go look it up now. Not bad.
I received a review copy of this ebook from Open Road Integrated Media and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this fun ebook.
June 26, 2023
Bello, un classico Montalbano "da ombrellone"...
June 6, 2013
Mi aspettavo di più, l'ultimo caso è forse il più bello e le considerazioni di Mimì Augello valgono da sole una stella in più.
August 1, 2021
"El miedo de Montalbano" (como lo conocemos en estos lugares gracias a la edición de Salamandra) es un libro para los fanáticos, que a un lector que no conoce mucho la saga de este detective puede agarrarle con el pie cambiado (Mi caso).
Hace unos años leí "La forma del agua" y me pareció bastante entretenido, por lo que elegí esta edición en italiano para conocer más a Montalbano y de paso sacarme un poco el óxido que tengo con el idioma italiano (Que no es poco).
Lo que noté al principio es que las distintas tramas de los relatos no son policiales per se, sino que se ahonda más en la psique y humanidad del personaje. Esto supongo que fue con el objetivo de dar a conocer más al comisario que de presentar casos nuevos.
Esto es una idea audaz pero para el público asentado en la saga.
En mi caso, no estoy seguro de que me guste el Camilleri cuentista: Cuando se extiende un libro de Montalbano al formato novela, es más disfrutable y te va llevando por esa Italia serpenteante de paisajes naturales y sociales a la vez que, por supuesto uno disfruta de las aventuras que se suceden alrededor. Ojo, no digo que los relatos estén escritos de manera distinta a las novelas, pero siento que no terminan de lucirse y cuando Andrea pone su pluma firme para entrar en territorio policial, todo se desmorona rápidamente. Es por esto que me voy a olvidar de este libro y quedarme con la memoria que tengo de cuando leí "La forma del agua".
En síntesis, un libro que puede entretener a fanáticos, pero que puede ser un "meh" muy grande para los que no se encuentran inmersos en territorio Montalbano.
Hace unos años leí "La forma del agua" y me pareció bastante entretenido, por lo que elegí esta edición en italiano para conocer más a Montalbano y de paso sacarme un poco el óxido que tengo con el idioma italiano (Que no es poco).
Lo que noté al principio es que las distintas tramas de los relatos no son policiales per se, sino que se ahonda más en la psique y humanidad del personaje. Esto supongo que fue con el objetivo de dar a conocer más al comisario que de presentar casos nuevos.
Esto es una idea audaz pero para el público asentado en la saga.
En mi caso, no estoy seguro de que me guste el Camilleri cuentista: Cuando se extiende un libro de Montalbano al formato novela, es más disfrutable y te va llevando por esa Italia serpenteante de paisajes naturales y sociales a la vez que, por supuesto uno disfruta de las aventuras que se suceden alrededor. Ojo, no digo que los relatos estén escritos de manera distinta a las novelas, pero siento que no terminan de lucirse y cuando Andrea pone su pluma firme para entrar en territorio policial, todo se desmorona rápidamente. Es por esto que me voy a olvidar de este libro y quedarme con la memoria que tengo de cuando leí "La forma del agua".
En síntesis, un libro que puede entretener a fanáticos, pero que puede ser un "meh" muy grande para los que no se encuentran inmersos en territorio Montalbano.
April 11, 2024
Come da tradizione anche quest'anno leggo un Camilleri e stavolta ho scelto una raccolta di racconti.
LA PAURA DI MONTALBANO si compone di tre brevissimi raccontini e di tre storie più lunghe, il cui filo conduttore è la paura del commissario di calarsi negli abissi dell'animo umano.
Amo lo stile e la capacità di Andrea Camilleri di trasportare il lettore nella terra di Sicilia, favorevole ai misteri, grazie anche a un passato e ad una tradizione romantica estremamente affascinante, ed anche per l'uso del dialetto siculo, che ha sempre sonorità piacevoli, nonché ad una interpretazione della natura delle azioni umane filtrate dagli occhi di ciò che è giusto e del buonsenso, ma mai del rigore.
Eppure questa volta sono rimasta un po' delusa dalle storie proposte, ad eccezione per i racconti lunghi "Ferito a morte" e "Meglio lo scuro", torbido e affascinante il primo, sorprendente e sottile il secondo.
Forse mi aspettavo più suspanse e mistero, ma del resto questi sono racconti, e non i grandi romanzi della serie del celebre commissario di Vigata.
Il divertimento e l'intrattenimento sono comunque assicurati soprattutto per la messa in scena di un'umanità varia e peculiare, come solo Camilleri sapeva descriverla attraverso gesti quotidiani e semplici.
LA PAURA DI MONTALBANO si compone di tre brevissimi raccontini e di tre storie più lunghe, il cui filo conduttore è la paura del commissario di calarsi negli abissi dell'animo umano.
Amo lo stile e la capacità di Andrea Camilleri di trasportare il lettore nella terra di Sicilia, favorevole ai misteri, grazie anche a un passato e ad una tradizione romantica estremamente affascinante, ed anche per l'uso del dialetto siculo, che ha sempre sonorità piacevoli, nonché ad una interpretazione della natura delle azioni umane filtrate dagli occhi di ciò che è giusto e del buonsenso, ma mai del rigore.
Eppure questa volta sono rimasta un po' delusa dalle storie proposte, ad eccezione per i racconti lunghi "Ferito a morte" e "Meglio lo scuro", torbido e affascinante il primo, sorprendente e sottile il secondo.
Forse mi aspettavo più suspanse e mistero, ma del resto questi sono racconti, e non i grandi romanzi della serie del celebre commissario di Vigata.
Il divertimento e l'intrattenimento sono comunque assicurati soprattutto per la messa in scena di un'umanità varia e peculiare, come solo Camilleri sapeva descriverla attraverso gesti quotidiani e semplici.
December 30, 2017
Come ho fatto a vivere (la mia vita di lettrice) senza?
Io non so che malìa è capace di suscitare in me quest'uomo. Ci sono libri che guardo e mi dico: "No, non è il momento adatto" oppure "Non ho lo stato d'animo per queste atmosfere". Quando prendo in mano un libro di Camilleri, è sempre il momento giusto. Bastano poche righe e "mi catamino" in ragionamenti, sensazioni, panorami che hanno la capacità di restituirmi il sapore della vita. Tra un "respiro funnuto", una "taliata di ralogio" e una "stinnicchiata", gli occhi fanno "pupi pupi", ma la "stanchizza" di Montalbano non si avverte mai. Se i romanzi sono lunghe parentesi nelle quali il tono della storia può perdere, a volte, colpi, i racconti sono scoppiettanti e ricchissimi di cornici verbali dove ogni piccolo ghirigoro, ogni curva della linea è modellata da vocaboli d'incantevole sonorità. Una volta tanto sono felice di condividere con l'autore la medesima lingua, e ancor di più di essere meridionale. Nessuna traduzione potrà mai lontanamente evocare l'ambientazione, la gestualità, i panorami umani di cui è capace il personalissimo stile di Camilleri. Mi ritengo fortunata. Non sapete cosa vi perdete!
Io non so che malìa è capace di suscitare in me quest'uomo. Ci sono libri che guardo e mi dico: "No, non è il momento adatto" oppure "Non ho lo stato d'animo per queste atmosfere". Quando prendo in mano un libro di Camilleri, è sempre il momento giusto. Bastano poche righe e "mi catamino" in ragionamenti, sensazioni, panorami che hanno la capacità di restituirmi il sapore della vita. Tra un "respiro funnuto", una "taliata di ralogio" e una "stinnicchiata", gli occhi fanno "pupi pupi", ma la "stanchizza" di Montalbano non si avverte mai. Se i romanzi sono lunghe parentesi nelle quali il tono della storia può perdere, a volte, colpi, i racconti sono scoppiettanti e ricchissimi di cornici verbali dove ogni piccolo ghirigoro, ogni curva della linea è modellata da vocaboli d'incantevole sonorità. Una volta tanto sono felice di condividere con l'autore la medesima lingua, e ancor di più di essere meridionale. Nessuna traduzione potrà mai lontanamente evocare l'ambientazione, la gestualità, i panorami umani di cui è capace il personalissimo stile di Camilleri. Mi ritengo fortunata. Non sapete cosa vi perdete!
November 1, 2022
Aunque tenía ganas desde hace tiempo a este escritor, esta ha sido la primera vez que me acercaba a la obra de este reconocido autor italiano con una gran bibliografía a sus espaldas.
Con un estilo mordaz a la par que irreverente, Camilleri nos narra seis historias protagonizadas por el comisario Montalbano en esta, su novena entrega, dejando claro que es uno de los grandes maestros del género policiaco moderno.
En ellas, demuestra su agudeza, su humor y su particular modo de ver el mundo a través de unos personajes peculiares, perfectamente compuestos y unos diálogos magistralmente construidos.
Como es inevitable en estos casos en los que hablamos de obras compuestas por diferentes relatos, unas historias suelen gustar más que otras, lo que no desmerece al resto, ya que ninguna de ellas tiene desperdicio. No obstante, sí que diré que las que más me han llenado han sido curiosamente las más breves: “Días de fiebre”, que es la que abre el libro, “Un sombrero lleno de lluvia” y “El miedo de Montalabano”. Las otras tres que componen este volumen, y algo más largas en extensión, son “Herido de muerte”, “El cuarto secreto” y “Mejor la curiosidad”.
Con un estilo mordaz a la par que irreverente, Camilleri nos narra seis historias protagonizadas por el comisario Montalbano en esta, su novena entrega, dejando claro que es uno de los grandes maestros del género policiaco moderno.
En ellas, demuestra su agudeza, su humor y su particular modo de ver el mundo a través de unos personajes peculiares, perfectamente compuestos y unos diálogos magistralmente construidos.
Como es inevitable en estos casos en los que hablamos de obras compuestas por diferentes relatos, unas historias suelen gustar más que otras, lo que no desmerece al resto, ya que ninguna de ellas tiene desperdicio. No obstante, sí que diré que las que más me han llenado han sido curiosamente las más breves: “Días de fiebre”, que es la que abre el libro, “Un sombrero lleno de lluvia” y “El miedo de Montalabano”. Las otras tres que componen este volumen, y algo más largas en extensión, son “Herido de muerte”, “El cuarto secreto” y “Mejor la curiosidad”.
October 19, 2024
La novena entrega de la serie de libros protagonizados por el comisario siciliano Salvo Montalbano presenta tres relatos cortos ya publicados en otro medio y tres historias más largas, en las que el policía creado por Andrea Camilleri despliega su talento para desentrañar misterios relacionados con crímenes cometidos en Vigàta, la no-tan-ficticia ciudad en la que el investigador reside y a la que está unido por fuertes raíces.
El sexteto de relatos se sucede presentando una vez más las particularidades de sus protagonistas, cuyas características definitorias el autor presenta constantemente a lo largo de su obra: las peleas de Montalbano consigo mismo, el carácter mujeriego del sub-inspector Mimì Augello, el síndrome del Registro Civil de Gallo, la humanidad de Galluzzo o la ternura que inspira Catarella están presentes, como también lo están el gusto por la buena mesa -que hermana a Montalbano con el detective Pepe Carvalho, creado por aquél al que debe su apellido- o la propia isla de Sicilia y la no-tan-ficticia provincia de Montelusa en la que está radicada Vigàta.
El libro es una buena puerta de entrada para internarse en el sabroso mundo del comisario Montalbano.
El sexteto de relatos se sucede presentando una vez más las particularidades de sus protagonistas, cuyas características definitorias el autor presenta constantemente a lo largo de su obra: las peleas de Montalbano consigo mismo, el carácter mujeriego del sub-inspector Mimì Augello, el síndrome del Registro Civil de Gallo, la humanidad de Galluzzo o la ternura que inspira Catarella están presentes, como también lo están el gusto por la buena mesa -que hermana a Montalbano con el detective Pepe Carvalho, creado por aquél al que debe su apellido- o la propia isla de Sicilia y la no-tan-ficticia provincia de Montelusa en la que está radicada Vigàta.
El libro es una buena puerta de entrada para internarse en el sabroso mundo del comisario Montalbano.
April 3, 2021
Tra tutti i personaggi di supporto, penso che quello di Livia sia quello che riesca sempre a lasciarmi più freddo. Anzi penso proprio che Camilleri non nutra molta simpatia per il carattere del personaggio; certo è funzionale alle storie ed al carattere del Commissario; però mi lascia sempre quel non so che di “e ma che palle!”. Forse anche la dicotomia cercata e voluta tra Livia e Ingrid (non presente in questi racconti), serve a Camilleri per creare quella tensione narrativa che permette la costruzione di un carattere molto caricaturale dell’uomo del sud, un po’ misogino e femminaro. Sicuramente io mi lascio un po’ influenzare dall’associazione dei romanzi con la serie televisiva, dove il Livia è impersonata da Sonia Bergamasco; ottima attrice, ma che rende il personaggio di Livia ancora più spigoloso. Non ci “incerta nuddu”, ma quando ho visto (non ancora letto) una delle scene topiche del Metodo Catalanotti ho esclamato finalmente! Chi vuole capire, capisca
October 5, 2023
Leggere Camilleri è come ritrovare un caro amico, e perdersi nella sua malìa. La forma dei racconti non credo sia la sua più congeniale, e direi che quelli qui raccolti variano sia per lunghezza che per qualità.
I racconti brevi -di poche pagine- sono quasi divertissement, piccole pennellate nel mondo di Montalbano. Quelli lunghi hanno un respiro diverso, un po' affrettato comunque, ma piacevole: in particolar modo uno riesce ad affrontare anche il tema della sicurezza nel lavoro, un altro l'angoscia di tenere dentro di sé un segreto per tutta la vita.
Resta un sorriso nel leggere o rileggere Camilleri, quasi una nostalgia, e quella superba e misteriosa capacità del Maestro di incollarti alle pagine.
I racconti brevi -di poche pagine- sono quasi divertissement, piccole pennellate nel mondo di Montalbano. Quelli lunghi hanno un respiro diverso, un po' affrettato comunque, ma piacevole: in particolar modo uno riesce ad affrontare anche il tema della sicurezza nel lavoro, un altro l'angoscia di tenere dentro di sé un segreto per tutta la vita.
Resta un sorriso nel leggere o rileggere Camilleri, quasi una nostalgia, e quella superba e misteriosa capacità del Maestro di incollarti alle pagine.
August 26, 2024
Tre "romanzi brevi" e tre racconti compongono questa raccolta di Montalbano.
I tre racconti sono tutto sommato dimenticabili, non ci sono misteri ma solo scenette più o meno interessanti (ma prevalentemente meno: il migliore è Un cappello pieno di pioggia per l'inusuale ambientazione romana).
I tre romanzi sono avvincenti, in particolare Meglio lo scuro dato che Salvo viene convinto a far luce su un caso di omicidio ormai caduto in prescrizione da un "parrino", cioè da un prete.
Menzione d'onore per i surreali dialoghi tra il Commissario e Catarella in Ferito a morte, che però non mi è piaciuto perché si arriva immediatamente ad identificare il colpevole e ci sono un paio di morti collaterali "brutte".
I tre racconti sono tutto sommato dimenticabili, non ci sono misteri ma solo scenette più o meno interessanti (ma prevalentemente meno: il migliore è Un cappello pieno di pioggia per l'inusuale ambientazione romana).
I tre romanzi sono avvincenti, in particolare Meglio lo scuro dato che Salvo viene convinto a far luce su un caso di omicidio ormai caduto in prescrizione da un "parrino", cioè da un prete.
Menzione d'onore per i surreali dialoghi tra il Commissario e Catarella in Ferito a morte, che però non mi è piaciuto perché si arriva immediatamente ad identificare il colpevole e ci sono un paio di morti collaterali "brutte".
August 29, 2018
Dieses Buch hat mir weniger gefallen, wie das erste von Commissario Montalbano, welches ich vor kurzem gelesen habe.
Das hängt aber eher damit zusammen, dass die drei Kriminalgeschichten von drei weiteren Kurzgeschichten abgewechselt werden, welche rein gar nichts mit den dargestellten Fälle zu tun haben.
Somit kann ich weder eine Empfehlung noch eine Abwertung aussprechen, denn diese wäre nicht objektiv. Krimiliebhaber sollen sich also selber entscheiden, ob sie sich dieses Buch kaufen möchten oder doch eher eins der anderen Bücher von Montalbano zulegen, wo man sich beim lesen auf einem Fall konzentrieren könnte.
Das hängt aber eher damit zusammen, dass die drei Kriminalgeschichten von drei weiteren Kurzgeschichten abgewechselt werden, welche rein gar nichts mit den dargestellten Fälle zu tun haben.
Somit kann ich weder eine Empfehlung noch eine Abwertung aussprechen, denn diese wäre nicht objektiv. Krimiliebhaber sollen sich also selber entscheiden, ob sie sich dieses Buch kaufen möchten oder doch eher eins der anderen Bücher von Montalbano zulegen, wo man sich beim lesen auf einem Fall konzentrieren könnte.
January 14, 2021
Aunque me encanta leer las peripecias del comisario Montalbano, prefiero aquellas que son más extensas: las novelas de este personaje escritas por Andrea Camilleri. En este caso (como en otros) se trata de un conjunto de relatos, unos más extensos que otros, independientes, en los que el protagonista y personajes habituales se enfrentan a distintos delitos. La narrativa audaz del autor está presente, sin embargo y en mi opinión, ésta luce mucho más cuando las investigaciones de Montalbano se extienden durante más páginas, es decir, en las novelas propiamente dichas.
Le asigno un 7 (3'50 sobre 5).
Le asigno un 7 (3'50 sobre 5).
Displaying 1 - 30 of 134 reviews