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niha42's review against another edition
dark
informative
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
ejcappelen's review against another edition
dark
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, Gore, Infidelity, Murder, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Racism, Toxic relationship, and Violence
triptofun's review against another edition
4.0
Scurati riesce nell’impresa di rendere la storia materiale vivo, pulsante di passioni e di sangue. E ci riesce con un tomo di mille pagine zeppo di fonti. Gli eventi che vengono liquidati dai manuali di liceo in una facciata scarsa (dalla nascita del fascismo all’assassinio di Matteotti) si animano di volti, parole, personalità, fatti pubblici e privati, violenza e moventi. È pur sempre una storia romanzata, ma coglie alla perfezione lo spirito del tempo e merita di essere letto anche (soprattutto) da chi, di storia del XX secolo, non si è mai occupato
nikita_barsukov's review
4.0
Engaging, interesting, illuminating and very detailed fictionalised book about the rise of Mussolini. Strong Hilary Mantel vibes, with many first-party sources embedded into narration. Plenty of quoted speeches, newspapers, articles, letters, but also a lot of point-of-view scenes: it doesn’t really read like a dull chronicle of life and times of Benito Mussolini.
A lot of raised eyebrows and outright jaw drops. Did not realise how high the level of political violence was at that time. Also many twists and turns were unknown to me, like author making a point that march to Rome was as much about impotency of police and government, as about popular support of fascism.
A lot of raised eyebrows and outright jaw drops. Did not realise how high the level of political violence was at that time. Also many twists and turns were unknown to me, like author making a point that march to Rome was as much about impotency of police and government, as about popular support of fascism.
smuds2's review against another edition
I liked the idea of the book. Mussolini seems like such an underdeveloped historical figure in our American education. Inter-war years in Europe seem like such a fascinating, tumultuous, consequential place. The format of the book was interesting too - with he tidbits of news flash between some chapters.
There are two big spots I think the story failed for me:
first, the writing is just so static. I think that might have been intentional? Or maybe a result of translation, but it is just SUCH a drag to read. It feels like I'm chugging water the whole time. Sometimes it's great to chug water, but if that's all there is to drink? Boring.
Second, and maybe correlated to the first, the 'characters' are so dull. I think that was also intentional - others have said it's like reading a documentary (albeit, fictionalized). I think that rings true. It is written very matter of factly (although, also, tongue in cheek scoldingly, rightly I believe). But over 770 pages, that became intimidating. The cast of characters didn't really seem all that varied to me - if it wasn't for the named chapters, I would have no idea who was who (aside from many D'annuzio and Mussolini).
I really wanted to like this book - I think it has such interesting qualities going for it. And the idea of 3-4 more of these was so enticing - until I started reading.
If I had to score it, I'd probably give it like a 3.25/5. It's a decent read, and I can imagine maybe audiobook would make it better, but man reading it did not do it for me. I'll try again when Scurati has finished all his books, if they're all of equal acclaim, in audiobook format. !Remindme in 15 years.
There are two big spots I think the story failed for me:
first, the writing is just so static. I think that might have been intentional? Or maybe a result of translation, but it is just SUCH a drag to read. It feels like I'm chugging water the whole time. Sometimes it's great to chug water, but if that's all there is to drink? Boring.
Second, and maybe correlated to the first, the 'characters' are so dull. I think that was also intentional - others have said it's like reading a documentary (albeit, fictionalized). I think that rings true. It is written very matter of factly (although, also, tongue in cheek scoldingly, rightly I believe). But over 770 pages, that became intimidating. The cast of characters didn't really seem all that varied to me - if it wasn't for the named chapters, I would have no idea who was who (aside from many D'annuzio and Mussolini).
I really wanted to like this book - I think it has such interesting qualities going for it. And the idea of 3-4 more of these was so enticing - until I started reading.
If I had to score it, I'd probably give it like a 3.25/5. It's a decent read, and I can imagine maybe audiobook would make it better, but man reading it did not do it for me. I'll try again when Scurati has finished all his books, if they're all of equal acclaim, in audiobook format. !Remindme in 15 years.
jhouses's review against another edition
4.0
Veo muchas discusiones sobre si es o no una novela. La verdad es que me preocupa poco. En mi opinión es un ensayo en el que las ideas del autor se entremezclan y articulan los hechos históricos. Es una narración histórica que se aleja del formalismo académico pero se entronca en la realidad.
Es un profundo estudio sobre el surgimiento del fascismo en los años veinte italianos y como toma por sorpresa a las débiles instituciones en las postrimerías de la Gran Guerra. Es una historia épica de la toma del poder por parte de unos matones cargados de ira y odio y la indiferencia y el miedo de sus adversarios. Es una exposición de sus crímenes y de las culpas de los que los apoyaron para eliminar la «amenaza comunista», de la cobardía y hasta complicidad de los poderes económicos, de la Iglesia con Pío XII a su cabeza y de Vittorio Emanuele III. Es una descripción pormenorizada de los errores de las otras fuerzas políticas y de la brutalidad con la que se acallaron las voces discrepantes. Es el triunfo del fascismo que culmina con la famosa pose del Duce, brazos en jarras y mentón elevado mirando con sorna a los rendidos diputados en 1924.
Es dramático y doloroso y lleno de significado 100 años después cuando los fascistas han vuelto a hacerse con el gobierno en Italia y se preparan para hacer lo mismo en otros países. Ellos han aprendido mucho. Ojalá este libro sirva para que lo aprendamos los demás.
Porque una vez que los fascistas ganan las elecciones no suele haber más.
Es un profundo estudio sobre el surgimiento del fascismo en los años veinte italianos y como toma por sorpresa a las débiles instituciones en las postrimerías de la Gran Guerra. Es una historia épica de la toma del poder por parte de unos matones cargados de ira y odio y la indiferencia y el miedo de sus adversarios. Es una exposición de sus crímenes y de las culpas de los que los apoyaron para eliminar la «amenaza comunista», de la cobardía y hasta complicidad de los poderes económicos, de la Iglesia con Pío XII a su cabeza y de Vittorio Emanuele III. Es una descripción pormenorizada de los errores de las otras fuerzas políticas y de la brutalidad con la que se acallaron las voces discrepantes. Es el triunfo del fascismo que culmina con la famosa pose del Duce, brazos en jarras y mentón elevado mirando con sorna a los rendidos diputados en 1924.
Es dramático y doloroso y lleno de significado 100 años después cuando los fascistas han vuelto a hacerse con el gobierno en Italia y se preparan para hacer lo mismo en otros países. Ellos han aprendido mucho. Ojalá este libro sirva para que lo aprendamos los demás.
Porque una vez que los fascistas ganan las elecciones no suele haber más.
ingridwergeland's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
5.0