17 Comments
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sharon's avatar

Fabulous notes and pictures, as always. Thank you so much. Well, what a brilliantly bleak ending for a marvellous book. Poor Concetta. Her whole life a fake (just like those relics) based on believing a made-up story. And poor Angelica. All that vital beauty and energy, ultimately unloved, alone and destined for an unpleasant death. Thank goodness that at least Bendico was finally released from his perpetual prison, unknowingly making a valiant leap through the air to be reunited with nature. What struck me most about this chapter was how futile our own choices are (in Lampedusa’s eyes). Concetta and Angelica make very different life choices, they are opposites in every way, one cerebral, one sensual, one old money, one nouveau riche, virginal and married - but they both end up in exactly the same place. Whichever route you take, you end up old, lonely and watching your world decay. What a happy thought! 😂 Thank you for this fantastic readalong. It’s been a great experience and I look forward to more Italian reads in 2025. I hope everyone has a merry and peaceful Christmas break 🌲💖🇮🇹

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Ellie's avatar

Sorry for replying to this comment so late Sharon, I kind of went into hibernation during the holidays, I couldn't stand to look at a written word for a while 😅 and these are quite excellent observations! This is why I love the experience of reading with a group, I spent so much time thinking about the themes of this chapter and here you go glowing me away with your take. This is why Fabrizio felt that sudden rush of love for his fellow man during the ball: no matter what to do with your life, we all have that final end in common.

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sharon's avatar

Hibernating is always good! Thanks for your kind comments and happy new year!

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Tash's avatar

It's quite a devastating final chapter. But what an incredible novel - thank you Ellie for guiding us! You made the reading experience really exceptional.

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Ellie's avatar

It was a pleasure to have you along for the ride, Tash! Here's to more exceptional books in 2025 ❤️❤️❤️

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Paula Duvall's avatar

Wasted lives of women, how sad. Beware the stories we tell ourselves.

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Ellie's avatar

That is something I'm trying to learn for myself too, actually, and it's not easy. We are all so involved in our own narrative that sometimes taking a step back and considering things from an outside prospective is more than beneficial.

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Mixele's avatar

Hi, I am behind too. Just catching up. Thank you so much for the read-along and your notes which were well thought out and illuminating. Enjoy your Christmas break and we’ll see you here in 2025

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Ellie's avatar

Hey Mixele, hope you had great holidays! Don't worry about the book, take your time to enjoy and finish it at your own pace ❤️

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Mixele's avatar

Happy New Year!

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Cindy Potter's avatar

Ellie, I really enjoyed reading The Leopard, thank you so much for your insight and perspective.

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Paula Duvall's avatar

Thank you, Ellie. This has been awesome.

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Kyrre Holm's avatar

This was wonderful. Thank you so much for enriching my experience of re-reading this masterpiece!

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Ellie's avatar

Hey there Kyrie, I'm so happy you enjoyed the experience and took the time to tell me! I plan for these entries to stay online and be free companion pieces for anyone who might want to read or reread the books, it fills me with joy that you found them almost a year later.

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Dana • Dostoevsky Bookclub's avatar

Hi. I saw that a new series based on The Leopard came out on Netflix? Have you watched it yet? I've added it to my watch list for now, but I'd love to hear your thoughts on it if you end up watching it.

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Ellie's avatar

Oooh don't make me start on it. Netflix pretty much removed everything interesting about the book and turned it into a sort of Bridgeton, focused on some insane Angelica/Tancredi/Concetta love triangle. I don't dare watch it, but if you ever do let me know 😉

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Dana • Dostoevsky Bookclub's avatar

Ha, I completely understand your perspective. Beloved books can make their adaptations particularly challenging to watch. I'm still working up to watching the One Hundred Years of Solitude series, but that also requires being in the right mindset. But I think I'll watch The Leopard series someday, I'm very curious about it.

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