[Horizons]The Leopard by Giuseppe do Lampedusa, translated by Archibald Colquhoun - 5 stars

[Theresa]

This is the great Italian historical fiction masterpiece written late in life by a cosmopolitan, erudite Sicilan prince in the mid-20th century. It was inspired by the life of his great grandfather, a true prince of Sicily, and set during the revolution started in 1860 when Garibaldi wrested, with the aid of Piedmont (Turin), Sicilian and Neapolitan independence from the Bourbons of France, ultimately installing Victor Emmanuel (that huge white elephant of a building looming over the Forum in Rome was named for him) as the first ruler of a united Italy. It's about the dying of the aristocratic age in the face of revolution, democracy, and the rise of the middle class, all reflected by the fortunes of this one family during the revolution and in the decades after. The story ends in 1910.

If the English translation (from 2007 - by Archibald Colquhoun) is anything to go by, this is exquisitely written in the original Italian. Almost too exquisite, as I'm finding it almost too florid at times even though that very floridness is perfect for this story told primarily from the point of view of a prince bestowed with a very sensuous and larger than life nature. But there are also enchanting moments of dry wit, such as: ..."wind is a gossip by definition...".

And yet....

I was not captivated or enamored by it. I don't dislike it at all, and I would say I'm quite enjoying it. But it is just a tad too static. This is not a plot driven story. The 1860 revolution is a distant backdrop against which the Prince (who is the leopard of the title as it is the emblem of the House and the Prince often refers to himself as if he were a leopard). What action is present is very domestic, triggers for further enlightenment within the Prince himself.

It's a delicately crafted book, perfectly balanced, with just the slightest bit of teetering on the edge of too much one thing or not enough of another. It was a very slow read for me which means it's not compelling me to stay up late and read or forsake favorite TV shows in order to read further. Yet I still was caught up in the fortunes of the family and others who pass through the story. It was revelatory too ... somehow I had never known that France governed Sicily for a long time; in my mind it was always Italian!

I came away with an indelible portrait of a Sicily in transition as the old social order died and a new one arose. It is truly a masterpiece. And the cover art of the empire-style red velvet and gilt chair sinking into sand is the absolutely perfect image to summarize it.

[Sue]

I read this one years ago. I was going through a world literature phase and ran across this book.

I loved it, but I agree it's not a plot driven book.

[NancyJ]

I've heard that the movie is really beautiful too. It was on my To-See list when I was into foreign films, but I never managed to get it. I just looked it up and it will be on FXM on May 8 early in the morning. It might also be on Amazon Prime.

[Theresa]

Film definitely on my must see list now. Will see if FXM is one of the gazillion cable channels I get. Thanks for tbe tip!