A review by roy_gorbison
Christ Stopped at Eboli: The Story of a Year by Carlo Levi

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.
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