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grereads's review against another edition
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
4.25
I unexpectedly really enjoyed the book even though the pace was really slow, mostly because I realised it was made on purpose to portray the monotony of life in confinement.
I really enjoyed Levi's reflections on the life of peasants and how much their world was different from the rest of the nation. Although some of the reflections about the state towards the end were more difficult I grasped most of the concepts.
I loved the parts of the novel in which he talked about the people's folklore and their attachment to things like magic and supernatural creatures.
I didn't know much about the South of Italy in that period, so learning something new was really interesting. The description of Matera made by Levi's sister has really stuck with me, I didn't realise the "sassi" were still that densely inhabited and that the conditions there were so bad.
One thing that kind of pissed me off were the descriptions of the women of the village as being animal-like and immoral, those came off as very misogynistic, especially coming from a wealthy northern man and because the descriptions of the men weren't that exaggerated and judgemental.
I really enjoyed Levi's reflections on the life of peasants and how much their world was different from the rest of the nation. Although some of the reflections about the state towards the end were more difficult I grasped most of the concepts.
I loved the parts of the novel in which he talked about the people's folklore and their attachment to things like magic and supernatural creatures.
I didn't know much about the South of Italy in that period, so learning something new was really interesting. The description of Matera made by Levi's sister has really stuck with me, I didn't realise the "sassi" were still that densely inhabited and that the conditions there were so bad.
One thing that kind of pissed me off were the descriptions of the women of the village as being animal-like and immoral, those came off as very misogynistic, especially coming from a wealthy northern man and because the descriptions of the men weren't that exaggerated and judgemental.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Medical content, and Classism
Moderate: Child death, Sexism, and Alcohol
Minor: Animal death, Infidelity, Violence, Blood, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
roy_gorbison's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.25
A reflective memoir. Carlo Levi relates his year in Gagliano in neat, simple prose, interspersed with the occasional indulgent flourish of imagery or philosophizing. Levi often references Italian history, particularly of the 19th and 20th centuries, so it's helpful but not crucial to have some background.
There are three main characters in this book. The first is the peasantry of Gagliano, who enchant Levi. He spends much time mapping out the dark and mysterious forces that create their reality; apathy, secularism, poverty, endemic affliction with malaria, and resignation bind them to a way of life that was already old when Christ was born. It's difficult to tell whether Levi's account of them is distorted or mystified by his own well-to-do social standing, but it's fascinating nonetheless. There are definitely a few off-chord moments that pulled me out of his account.
The second character is the gentry of Gagliano, whom Levi treats with undisguised contempt. He portrays them as vain, petty, incompetent tyrants, whose lives are devoid of meaning save their feuds with each other, imposition on Levi's beloved peasants and hatred of themselves. I found this skewering very entertaining, but you might not depending on your politics.
The third character is the desolate landscape of Luciana (now Basilicata), which Levi paints with wonderful imagery. More than anything else this book has made me want to explore the desolate gorges, clay hills, and caves of the region.
All in all a slower but enjoyable read, would recommend if you have interest in philosophical ramblings and the countryside and a dislike of Fascist States and wealthy busybodies.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Terminal illness
Minor: Violence