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3.36 AVERAGE
3.36 AVERAGE
I really give this a 2.5 rating. I thought it would be a lot better. Quirkiness for the sake of quirkiness. Not the most developed characters and a bit too convenient in the solving of the case. I probably will not read any other books in this series.
Not common for me is the following: to read a book review in our local newspaper, The Washington Post, and run out to track down the book – right away! Lo and behold! our small, but fantastic city library, The Takoma Park Maryland Library actually had not one, but TWO copies…one was out; the other, waiting for me, of course.
How could I not love this? The main “detective,” a 60-year-old, German woman – a widow – is living in Sicily along with her sisters, and encounters serious lust, love of many sorts, and a murder. Giordano writes seemingly with such ease. Shifting back and forth among these characters, one of whom is Auntie Poldi’s nephew who offers his enlightening asides about everything Sicilian. On occasion, one may even feel a bit voyeuristic however as Poldi dives into her melancholy with drink after drink of anything at hand, and then, reasserts life through her sexual fantasies and conquests. The author combines the humor and pathos ever present in life through Poldi who evokes empathy, and the next moment derision as she shifts up and down along her own emotional thermostat.
Ah, but Sicily – home of my grandfather – the descriptions are not only of this landscape with its faded elegance and barren rocks but, also a look into this culture which is so hard to define through the American, sensible paradigm of mores. Readers who have had the pleasure of viewing the Montalbano series will thoroughly enjoy this take on Sicily with Giordano’s first book in the “Auntie Poldi” series. It cuts a “bella figura“.
During this bitersweer, end-of-summer, sit down with anything to drink [I prefer prosseco], put up your feet, and enjoy!
How could I not love this? The main “detective,” a 60-year-old, German woman – a widow – is living in Sicily along with her sisters, and encounters serious lust, love of many sorts, and a murder. Giordano writes seemingly with such ease. Shifting back and forth among these characters, one of whom is Auntie Poldi’s nephew who offers his enlightening asides about everything Sicilian. On occasion, one may even feel a bit voyeuristic however as Poldi dives into her melancholy with drink after drink of anything at hand, and then, reasserts life through her sexual fantasies and conquests. The author combines the humor and pathos ever present in life through Poldi who evokes empathy, and the next moment derision as she shifts up and down along her own emotional thermostat.
Ah, but Sicily – home of my grandfather – the descriptions are not only of this landscape with its faded elegance and barren rocks but, also a look into this culture which is so hard to define through the American, sensible paradigm of mores. Readers who have had the pleasure of viewing the Montalbano series will thoroughly enjoy this take on Sicily with Giordano’s first book in the “Auntie Poldi” series. It cuts a “bella figura“.
During this bitersweer, end-of-summer, sit down with anything to drink [I prefer prosseco], put up your feet, and enjoy!
After reading the many good reviews of this book, I am surprised at how I could not get into this book. I believe the premise and characters seemed entertaining and witty, except I found the narrative to be unimpressive. I understand it is a translation and told from a nephews second hand words, but the wit and humor was lost on me.
Thank you Netgalley for this opportunity to read this e-galley.
Thank you Netgalley for this opportunity to read this e-galley.
Fun mystery. Beautiful setting. Light summer read. Book Bingo 2018 mystery or thriller
I think I lost a lot of this in translation. I got confused by the characters multiple names, finally I just stopped trying to keep it all straight.
It was a decent read, but I don’t have any desire to read further books in the series.
It was a decent read, but I don’t have any desire to read further books in the series.
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Poldi was such an enigmatic character and I loved her! Her layers of sadness, glamour, grief, and pride — she had a joie de vive that just drew me in! I got a little confused by some of the characters but overall a very fun mystery with a commentary on what it means to want to live.
Auntie Poldi and the Sicilian Lions is a delight. Although it is the first book in a mystery series, there is a lot more going on here than is often the case with mysteries. Auntie Poldi is at a crossroads, not sure what to do with herself. She is a bit depressed and is drinking too much. When accidentally pulled into a murder investigation, she puts herself in harm’s way with a kind of indifference as to whether she lives or dies. But Poldi is a fighter who, it turns out, is not going to go gently into that good night. Along the way she finds new passion and a new lease on life.
Although translated from the Italian, I actually thought that added to the charm, in the way of Fredrik Backman’s A Man Called Ove. The book is narrated by Poldi’s visiting nephew. I thought this worked really well. It added a hint of both unreliability and believability to the tale. Parts of the story are absurd – but they could happen, if you had the right eccentric relative to tell you about them. The nephew is supposedly an author, and a pretty bad one from what little he says about his novel in progress. Both the nephew and Poldi are Germans living in Italy, and their outsider view is ours as well. I've only visited Italy twice, but I thought the author did a great job of capturing the feel of Italy and its people. I’ve yet to travel to Sicily, but this book made me want to go now!
This is a book that does a great job showcasing a strong older woman and her zest for life, a complicated and messy but loving family, and life in Sicily. I recommend it for fans of Fredrik Backman and Helen Simonson’s Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand.
I read an advance reader copy of Auntie Poldi and the Sicilian Lions. It is due out in March 2018 and will be available at the Galesburg Public Library in print and as an ebook.
One minor spoiler and caution for animal lovers:.
Although translated from the Italian, I actually thought that added to the charm, in the way of Fredrik Backman’s A Man Called Ove. The book is narrated by Poldi’s visiting nephew. I thought this worked really well. It added a hint of both unreliability and believability to the tale. Parts of the story are absurd – but they could happen, if you had the right eccentric relative to tell you about them. The nephew is supposedly an author, and a pretty bad one from what little he says about his novel in progress. Both the nephew and Poldi are Germans living in Italy, and their outsider view is ours as well. I've only visited Italy twice, but I thought the author did a great job of capturing the feel of Italy and its people. I’ve yet to travel to Sicily, but this book made me want to go now!
This is a book that does a great job showcasing a strong older woman and her zest for life, a complicated and messy but loving family, and life in Sicily. I recommend it for fans of Fredrik Backman and Helen Simonson’s Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand.
I read an advance reader copy of Auntie Poldi and the Sicilian Lions. It is due out in March 2018 and will be available at the Galesburg Public Library in print and as an ebook.
One minor spoiler and caution for animal lovers:
Spoiler
two animal deaths occur, one a stray cat and one a guard dog
Aunti Poldi is an up and coming detective full of confidence and panache in the sleepy island of Sicily. This was a hilarious detective book with really well fleshed out characters. The book even though is a translation is funny. Light hearted and a fun book. Namaste life.
If you enjoy Alexander McCall Smith's No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, you'll probably really enjoy this. It's just not for me.
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes