Another book I’ve discovered via the excellent Book Club podcast, and one about which I can’t quite make up my mind.
It’s set in Italy – specifically Sicily – during the period when the various states were unifying into the Kingdom of Italy. We learn how this huge societal, legal, constitution change impacts the life of The Prince, an aristocrat trying to continue living his traditional way of life as the world around him dislocates. The crumbling pomp and disappearing traditions echo the rise of a new order.
His inner monologue and musings are the highlight of the book, along with fantastic descriptions of Sicilian flora, fauna, and scenery. Some passages I found to be a little hard going but perhaps my tastes are a little to low brow for this classic.
However, the chapter towards the end where we experience the Prince’s last moments of life, with his dying thoughts and memories, is particularly superb.
I did enjoy the read and absolutely appreciate the sumptuous writing… but I wasn’t compelled to keep picking it back up. As I said, more likely to be my flaw than The Leopard’s.
