I’m curious that the couple wrote/spoke to each other in different languages. I wonder how that potentially shapes thought and conversation. If some ideas or emotions are more readily expressed in one language over another. I’ve read a bit about that before. How intriguing! Thank you for your excellent notes, as always.
I apologize for the delay in writing this comment.
The novel is captivating; it envelops you with its languid pace, much like a constricting python. I sense that a shocking event is imminent...
Lampedusa's wife is both beautiful and fascinating. Are you aware of any English-language biographies about her? I'm eager to learn more. It's intriguing that she and her husband corresponded in French, and in the novel, Fabrizio shifts to French in his thoughts when seeking a carefree mood. Perhaps for the Lampedusa couple, French served as a refuge from the harsh realities of life.
The bathroom scene is vividly depicted. The comparison of Fabrizio to Hercules sparked some thoughts. In mythology, Hercules completed his 12 labors by age 45, essentially retiring and gaining immortality. Is Fabrizio's fate similar? Or perhaps Fabrizio lags behind Hercules, teetering on the brink of destroying his family?
Fabrizio's treatment of his daughter is disheartening, yet unsurprising. Historically, girls have often been treated as commodities for advantageous marriages and alliances. Concetta's situation would likely have been no better in Vienna or St. Petersburg during that era. I can easily envision her in those settings. Had she been born to a despotic father in St. Petersburg, her life would have been equally unhappy.
The Neptune and Amphitrite story is also compelling; their union was far from blissful. The lustful Neptune married her through any means necessary, including abduction. Even in myths, women are denied the freedom to choose or refuse a spouse. Fabrizio seems to revel in imagining old Neptune forcing himself upon Amphitrite. The peaches, if consumed by Fabrizio himself, might echo Hercules's familial destruction. While I'm uncertain if the story will take this direction, Fabrizio appears to prioritize himself over his children.
I don't know of any biographies, but there's a book that translates Giuseppe's and Licy's letters in English, it's called Letters of Love and Loss: Correspondence with Alexandra Wolff Stomersee, 1935-1943. It might be out of print by now though.
I think Fabrizio is so drawn to mythological figures because in his mind they get to be strong, tyrannical and rape-y without any of the catholic guilt. He conveniently forgets that the cults of Dionysus and Artemis that have deep roots in southern Italy are fundamentally female-centric and matriarchal. I think we're meant to see him as Hercules the tragic figure, a demigod that will bring ruin to his family - although, don't expect any shocking melodrama, killings, tragedies etc, it's not that kind of book. There's a reason some people find it so very boring!
Thank you for stopping by Dana, as always you give me much to think about. And never apologize for being late! I need to update my blog introduction so I can encourage people to read as slow as they like.
Thank you for the book recommendation. I hope I can find it.
The most terrifying stories are about slow destruction and endless tyranny. Because so far in the book's plot, Fabrizio hasn't committed any direct crime; he doesn't beat his children or wife, but everyone fears him. This generally evokes a more uncomfortable feeling and anxiety than shocking murder scenes. Because it seems that one could easily leave or fight against such a tyrant. I'm curious to see how the story unfolds.
It's incredibly interesting, I started reading about Lampedusa's wife - such a biography, so much to it. They definitely should have made a film about her.
Anyway, I'll read the excerpt of the novel tomorrow and write down my thoughts.
As for reading large excerpts: that's no problem at all. Yes, I know you want to talk about every detail, and apparently there are many of them. But it's always like that
I swear I thought I'd answered this one! And you know I thought of you Dana when I read about Licy's life, here's someone who lived her childhood in Russia and her old age in Italy, she's almost a link between our two readalongs!
No worries, I got caught up myself and didn't write the comments, I'll gather my thoughts now, and go straight through to the end of the second chapter! I find many parallels between the novels.
Never has decay been so sensuously presented,. Tancredi is relief from this. Ah, somebody clean and smiling in this dusty, wilting, morose world.
I enjoy you talking about ALL the things! Thank you.
I’m curious that the couple wrote/spoke to each other in different languages. I wonder how that potentially shapes thought and conversation. If some ideas or emotions are more readily expressed in one language over another. I’ve read a bit about that before. How intriguing! Thank you for your excellent notes, as always.
I apologize for the delay in writing this comment.
The novel is captivating; it envelops you with its languid pace, much like a constricting python. I sense that a shocking event is imminent...
Lampedusa's wife is both beautiful and fascinating. Are you aware of any English-language biographies about her? I'm eager to learn more. It's intriguing that she and her husband corresponded in French, and in the novel, Fabrizio shifts to French in his thoughts when seeking a carefree mood. Perhaps for the Lampedusa couple, French served as a refuge from the harsh realities of life.
The bathroom scene is vividly depicted. The comparison of Fabrizio to Hercules sparked some thoughts. In mythology, Hercules completed his 12 labors by age 45, essentially retiring and gaining immortality. Is Fabrizio's fate similar? Or perhaps Fabrizio lags behind Hercules, teetering on the brink of destroying his family?
Fabrizio's treatment of his daughter is disheartening, yet unsurprising. Historically, girls have often been treated as commodities for advantageous marriages and alliances. Concetta's situation would likely have been no better in Vienna or St. Petersburg during that era. I can easily envision her in those settings. Had she been born to a despotic father in St. Petersburg, her life would have been equally unhappy.
The Neptune and Amphitrite story is also compelling; their union was far from blissful. The lustful Neptune married her through any means necessary, including abduction. Even in myths, women are denied the freedom to choose or refuse a spouse. Fabrizio seems to revel in imagining old Neptune forcing himself upon Amphitrite. The peaches, if consumed by Fabrizio himself, might echo Hercules's familial destruction. While I'm uncertain if the story will take this direction, Fabrizio appears to prioritize himself over his children.
I don't know of any biographies, but there's a book that translates Giuseppe's and Licy's letters in English, it's called Letters of Love and Loss: Correspondence with Alexandra Wolff Stomersee, 1935-1943. It might be out of print by now though.
I think Fabrizio is so drawn to mythological figures because in his mind they get to be strong, tyrannical and rape-y without any of the catholic guilt. He conveniently forgets that the cults of Dionysus and Artemis that have deep roots in southern Italy are fundamentally female-centric and matriarchal. I think we're meant to see him as Hercules the tragic figure, a demigod that will bring ruin to his family - although, don't expect any shocking melodrama, killings, tragedies etc, it's not that kind of book. There's a reason some people find it so very boring!
Thank you for stopping by Dana, as always you give me much to think about. And never apologize for being late! I need to update my blog introduction so I can encourage people to read as slow as they like.
Thank you for the book recommendation. I hope I can find it.
The most terrifying stories are about slow destruction and endless tyranny. Because so far in the book's plot, Fabrizio hasn't committed any direct crime; he doesn't beat his children or wife, but everyone fears him. This generally evokes a more uncomfortable feeling and anxiety than shocking murder scenes. Because it seems that one could easily leave or fight against such a tyrant. I'm curious to see how the story unfolds.
It's incredibly interesting, I started reading about Lampedusa's wife - such a biography, so much to it. They definitely should have made a film about her.
Anyway, I'll read the excerpt of the novel tomorrow and write down my thoughts.
As for reading large excerpts: that's no problem at all. Yes, I know you want to talk about every detail, and apparently there are many of them. But it's always like that
I swear I thought I'd answered this one! And you know I thought of you Dana when I read about Licy's life, here's someone who lived her childhood in Russia and her old age in Italy, she's almost a link between our two readalongs!
No worries, I got caught up myself and didn't write the comments, I'll gather my thoughts now, and go straight through to the end of the second chapter! I find many parallels between the novels.