Sicilian Tragedee: A Novel

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He is out to make his mark, but first he needs a proposal to submit to the regional director of the arts so he can get funding. He has no idea of what the proposal might be until he meets Bobo, an aspiring and gay actor.

He decides to do a modern version of Romeo and Juliet, keeping in mind Cappellani, Ottavio. He decides to do a modern version of Romeo and Juliet, keeping in mind that Catania is known for its modern approach to art and art interpretation. The critical piece of the ensuing drama is given right off at the start of the book, but at the time you have no idea what is going on. His production revolves a new interpretation of the lines between Romeo and Mercutio, who are really the star-crossed lovers of the drama.

His interpretation involves the wearing of over-sized codpieces and gestures that clearly demonstrate the sexual frisson between the two. He got the funding and made his mark for that current play season. In the audience, however, we also get to meet two rival mafiosi and a variety of other locals who, to say the least, are colorful with their language and deeds. In all, this is kind of a fun book, but it gets lost in its rapid shift of point of view as we work our way through it.

We get to learn a lot about Catania in the process, though, especially when the author discusses food and previous artistic endeavors.

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On the whole, I thought the plot was more of a one-trick pony that the author strung out for pages. It might make a better movie. I think that it would be easier to follow that way. Recommended to The Rainbow Zebra by: Won on First Reads. I found myself being confused by the numerous characters and the writing itself, whom some have said reminded them of the bare bones of a screenplay. I graduated with a degree in Literature, I enjoy books of all sorts.

But I was lost most of the time, and each time I was ready to give up, I resigned myself to keep going. In short--a lackluster group of actors keep attempting to put on a sometime improvised production of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. However, Death keeps stealing the stage.

You'd think this would be a murder mystery but with so many characters to lose track of, and so many barely-there plot additions, what could have been a great book was turned into a "dear God let me finish this so I can review it and swap it out". I suppose if you are Italian, are in Italy, or have great interest in the Italian Mafia, this book may be for you don't go for the Shakespeare, that's where I got sucked in.

Sicilian Tragedee : NPR

I had moments of amusement, and even the end made me stop and think no spoilers here! With all due respect to the Author and translator of course, the only Tragedee I found was having to spend the time reading this. It took me a while to get into this book, but part of the compulsion to keep reading it I am not opposed to stopping a book in the middle was to see how all the layers untangled themselves.

Some didn't, but by the end, I was prepared for that and came to my own conclusions. The ensemble cast in this book love to talk about themselves and gossip about each other, but the best characterization is from the author, who shows you who they really are by what they do. Cappellani does capture modern S It took me a while to get into this book, but part of the compulsion to keep reading it I am not opposed to stopping a book in the middle was to see how all the layers untangled themselves.

Cappellani does capture modern Sicilian life: I could tell there was word play galore, but in English it often came across stilted and awkward. Perhaps a less literal translation would have served the book, and the author's cleverness, better. Sicilian Tragedee is very well written. The only problem I had with it is that it's pace is a little sluggish at times, and I had a difficult time keeping the names straight, but over all, I liked it. I have to say, I thought it was very well written.

It reminded me of books I read in Modern Wold Literature. The style is very European and all of the characters are more so. Of course, it makes sense for them to be, seeing as how it takes place in Italy. The characters were difficult for me to re Sicilian Tragedee is very well written. The characters were difficult for me to really connect with, as they were so un-American.

The idea of just lounging about, doing nothing and visiting people, but really doing nothing is so foreign to me I recieved this book for free through Goodreads First Reads Dec 24, Joan added it. The theme is star-crossed lovers, but Shakespeare would be a bit startled at the casting. It's not in fair Verona that we set our scene, but hot Sicily. And the households are alike in their lack of dignity.

Tino Cagnotto, theatre director, who is trying to stage an unusual production of Romeo and Juliet , while battling depression and wooing his younger inamorato , Bobo. Alfio Turrisi, mafioso , in love with Betty Pirotta, daughter of a rival, said rival being all to happy at the prospec The theme is star-crossed lovers, but Shakespeare would be a bit startled at the casting. Alfio Turrisi, mafioso , in love with Betty Pirotta, daughter of a rival, said rival being all to happy at the prospect of getting the spoiled brat off his hands. A frantic, funny book with a huge cast each with their own agenda.

There are plots and counterplots and a bit of chaos as each of the characters tries to manipulate people and situations to their own advantage.

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Despite a bit of confusion in keeping track of so many characters, I enjoyed this story. With so many subplots, there are a few small things unresolved at the end, but nothing that makes the book feel unfinished. Though it took a little while for me to get into this book, I ended up finding it pretty enjoyable. I did have a little difficulty at the beginning with keeping names straight and remembering who was who, but as the characters were fleshed out that problem disappeared for the most part.

I thought the pace could have been picked up a little as it seemed to drag along at times.

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Overall this book was a fairly quick and easy read but just not quite as good as I was hoping. Nov 21, Brian rated it liked it. Sicilian Tragedee was clever and fun, and recommended to those to enjoy a strong dose of the absurd. The novel, however, should most certainly be categorized as a light read; perhaps better for a lazy August week at the cabin than mid-winter coffee house fuel. Apr 06, Ann Tonks rated it liked it Shelves: To be honest, I'm not sure I understand enough of the political and social context of Sicily to fully appreciate this satire of contemporary life and theatre.

However, it was an unusual style and story so I kept going with some amusing pay offs in the end. Dec 08, Jane rated it it was ok.

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I quit about a quarter of the way through. I was tired of the flip-book introduction of characters that was supposed to be a giddy, gonzo immersion in contemporary Sicilian society but just made me think about how cool the writer wants us to think he is. I enjoyed the circus that was the story line of this book, but frankly couldn't keep the characters separated in my mind clearly enough to really follow who was messing with whom. Won this on first reads. I just could not get into this book. I am not sure if it was the format or what but it just did not pull me in. Oct 30, Laurie Dunn-Schmidt rated it liked it.

Outrageous characters - a fun read, if sometimes grotesque. May 13, Jennifer rated it liked it Shelves: Sicilian mobsters versus a traditionalist acting troop as Romeo and Juliet plays out in the summer sunshine. Nov 25, Josette added it. High drama and hilarity in Sicily.

Whats not to love. Jan 29, Emy Woodring rated it liked it. So hard to get into: Giorgio Biscari rated it really liked it Aug 28, J rated it liked it Sep 21, Jack rated it liked it Jan 25, Agnes rated it it was ok Feb 11, You'll be able to make changes before you submit your review. Words and bullets fly in this true slice of Sicilian life, which is set in the present day and mirrors the Bard's most famous tragedy; and this local perspective is the most engaging element of the whole affair. That's not to take anything away from the labyrinthine plot, however, which is as finely woven as the characters' Gucci suits.

But what may attract readers most is the wonderful pacing of the tale, which sweeps readers up in the rhythms and vibrations of the characters' fast-paced daily lives. From Alfio Turrisi's luxurious Mafia lifestyle to Tino Cagnotto's by-the-seat-of-your-pants productions, all the characters are fully realized. And while the language is as coarse as some of the Mafioso characters, the end result is a laugh-out-loud farce that packs a punch. Reviewed by Margo Orlando Littell. It's a Tragedy all right I found myself being confused by the numerous characters and the writing itself, whom some have said reminded them of the bare bones of a screenplay.

I graduated with a degree in Literature, I enjoy books of all sorts. But I was lost most of the time, and each time I was ready to give up, I resigned myself to keep going. In short--a lackluster group of actors keep attempting to put on a sometime improvised production of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet.

However, Death keeps stealing the stage. You'd think this would be a murder mystery but with so many characters to lose track of, and so many barely-there plot additions, what could have been a great book was turned into a "dear God let me finish this so I can review it and swap it out". I suppose if you are Italian, are in Italy, or have great interest in the Italian Mafia, this book may be for you don't go for the Shakespeare, that's where I got sucked in.

I had moments of amusement, and even the end made me stop and think no spoilers here! With all due respect to the Author and translator of course, the only Tragedee I found was having to spend the time reading this. From Amazon The theme is star-crossed lovers, but Shakespeare would be a bit startled at the casting. It's not in fair Verona that we set our scene, but hot Sicily.

And the households are alike in their lack of dignity.

Tino Cagnotto, theatre director, who is trying to stage an unusual production of Romeo and Juliet, while battling depression and wooing his younger inamorato, Bobo. Alfio Turrisi, mafioso, in love with Betty Pirotta, daughter of a rival, said rival being all too happy at the prospect of getting the spoiled brat off his hands. From Amazon Tino Cagnotto is the stereotypical vain, extravagant, gay experimental theater director taking anti-depressants and stimulants, trying to find inspiration and funding for his next production as he is running out of money to support his lifestyle.

It could be so very sad, but set him in Sicily, surround him with stereotypical small-time Mafia, small-town government, small-time aristocracy and star-crossed lovers and you have grand and "laugh out loud funny" farce. Poor Cagnotto has run out of ideas, he has no current lover, and the doctor cannot get his medication straight. Never mind that he frequently mixes the meds with a little alcohol! The local cultural commissioner needs a new production to attract tourists to the town, and is pushing him to come up with his next production.

Turi Pirotta is a local mobster whose position is being usurped by Alfio Turrisi. He is buying up land all around the island because it has oil on it. Pirotta started out driving a cement-mixer--that his how he wooed his wife, Wanda. Now he just "fixes" things and launders money, and Wanda and his daughter, Betty, just "bust his balls".

Alfio catches a glimpse of Betty and falls in love--he writes to Pirotta to ask his permission to court the lovely Betty.

Pirotta sees a way out of his business and family problems. Betty is out of the house and the enemy is part of the family. Cagnotto meets the charming young and innocent Bobo, who loves him. Bobo inspires Cagnotto to produce a new interpretation of "Romeo and Juliet" using "dialect street actors"--the young and beautiful Romeo, Mercutio and Juliet all played by down and out and aging Sicilian street actors. The fun really begins when one of the commissioners is shot at the opening night production and it rolls on from there.

An entertaining story from murderous start to happy ending! People around me at my favorite Italian coffee shop in Larkspur, California, often asked me why I was laughing while reading. At times, the writing resembles that found on www. In a nutshell, "Sicilian Tragedee" is all about small-minded people dealing with the world in their small-minded way, unable for the most part to get out of their small-minded rut of talking ONLY about other small-minded people.

There is not one shred of an important notion in this novel put forward by the author or its characters. The people are so ordinary and so consumed by their pettiness and their low-brow contrivances that they sink well below what might otherwise be merely a caricature of modern life, even in Sicily.

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