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3.36 AVERAGE
3.36 AVERAGE
Auntie Poldi... is a quirky detective novel with an older female protagonist, set in Sicily. For the most part it's a sunny, pleasantly whimsical story, but it loses some goodwill by having its only queer characters be either tragic, dead, or both.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
First in series
Audiobook (All of my entries on The Story Graph are audiobooks.)
Why I added this book to my TBR pile: It kept coming up in my recommendations.
Will I read more of the series?Probably Not Maybe Likely Most Likely Definitely - I enjoyed the book and was captivated by the Sicilian setting. The narrator's accent made the story more charming.
The narrator was John Brownjohn. See my note above about his wonderful accent.
Audiobook (All of my entries on The Story Graph are audiobooks.)
Why I added this book to my TBR pile: It kept coming up in my recommendations.
Will I read more of the series?
The narrator was John Brownjohn. See my note above about his wonderful accent.
Content Warnings
Minor: Alcoholism, Animal death, Gun violence, Violence, Grief, Murder, Alcohol
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I expected to enjoy this gentle mystery more than I did. Auntie Poldi was fun and quirky, and her band of characters were equally as colorful. This was clearly a set up for the series. I enjoyed it enough that I will likely read more. Fingers crosses that the pace will pick up. Timing is everything....
Meh
This was clearly translated - and I’m afraid it lost a bit of its beauty in translation. The mystery is a good one, it’s just bogged down by the stilted language. Also, the resolution was too contrived and improbable. Just not my cup o tea.
This was clearly translated - and I’m afraid it lost a bit of its beauty in translation. The mystery is a good one, it’s just bogged down by the stilted language. Also, the resolution was too contrived and improbable. Just not my cup o tea.
This book just dragged for me. Soooo much about Auntie Poldi’s quirks and not enough about the mystery. By the end I didn’t even care any more about who did it, I just wanted to be done.
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Poldi at sixty desires to be in Sicily where she hopes to die. But first she must solve the murder of her friend Valentino. Through her nephews second hand account, the reader gets to know Aunt Poldi and a cast of delightful characters.
Mario Giordano writes this mystery with humor and wit. Jokes woven with cultural tips plus intense sarcasm made for an entertaining read. I listened and followed a paper copy depending on my reading access. Giordano writes about life and death - capturing Poldi’s approach to danger in a believable way.
Themes of loyalty, struggle, alcohol addiction plus real life - good and bad days - make this novel serious and hysterical. I recommend this book, especially if possible to talk about it with others. Numerous examples of insights exist and here are two I especially loved. In Chapter 10 Poldi offers a lecture on making lists (“the mechanics of the subconscious”). And in Chapter 11 Poldi tells of phrases that belong in the shredder (like “see you soon” and “I really have changed”). Yes, Poldi!
With a First Look from Bookish, can't wait to get my hands on a copy:
From the first sentences I could tell that this would be a delightful tale. I love tales that involve an interesting cast of older characters as well as an affable narrator. Just the setup of the setting is enjoyable to read in this first glimpse. I would want to spend a summer with Aunt Poldi in such a quirky place, especially if it meant enjoying this cast of characters.
It does as suggested put you in mind of Fredrik Backman, which I cannot resist. It was easy reading, the style starts out with a wonderful nostalgic feel and keeps you entertained. I can't wait to get further into the plot to see how Aunt Poldi does as a sleuth and how this little community's and family's relationships play out.
From the first sentences I could tell that this would be a delightful tale. I love tales that involve an interesting cast of older characters as well as an affable narrator. Just the setup of the setting is enjoyable to read in this first glimpse. I would want to spend a summer with Aunt Poldi in such a quirky place, especially if it meant enjoying this cast of characters.
It does as suggested put you in mind of Fredrik Backman, which I cannot resist. It was easy reading, the style starts out with a wonderful nostalgic feel and keeps you entertained. I can't wait to get further into the plot to see how Aunt Poldi does as a sleuth and how this little community's and family's relationships play out.