The Measure of Time | Gianrico Carofiglio

“When we’re young and you think of a world and a time when you didn’t exist, it doesn’t bother you, because history seems to have an implicit direction of travel that leads inevitably to the moment when you burst on the scene …The world without us after we’ve gone, on the other hand, is simply the world without us.”

These are the insightful and profound words of Guido Guerrieri, the protagonist in The Measure of Time. Much like the previous novels featuring the defence lawyer, Gianrico Carofiglio’s latest also serves up a thoroughly intricate and detailed court room drama, as well as insight into Guido’s personal life and his contemplation of his existence.

His rather melancholy outlook on time, life and death intensifies when Lorenza, a woman he was in love with twenty–seven years ago, walks into his office. Memories of their brief relationship come flooding back, but Lorenza is back in his life purely for business reasons. Her son Jacopo Cardace stands convicted of the first–degree murder of a local drug dealer, Cosimo Gaglione and since his trial lawyer, Costamagna, has died, she begs Guido to handle the appeal.

The deteriorating health and casual approach to law of Jacopo’s previous lawyer led to a weak defence. Practically no evidence was presented, no cross–examination and the only witness called was his mother who confirmed that he was with her at the time of the murder. Eventually Jacopo was convicted on the basis of a heated telephone with Cosimo Gaglione on the day of the murder and gun residue on the jacket he wore when arrested.

Partly coloured by his previous experience with Lorenza and Jacopo’s well-known reputation as a criminal, Guido is not entirely convinced of Jacopo’s innocence. His girlfriend and private investigator, Annapaola, even less so. However, Guido and Annapaola’s detective agency take on the case and start chasing down each and every lead and witness they can identify.

In a paper published in Italica in 2009 Nicoletta Diciolla refers to “… the emergence of a new category of writer that could be named ‘the law professional turned noir practioner’ ‘”. In her paper she discusses the increasing phenomenon of judges, lawyers and high ranking police officials who turn their hand to writing crime fiction and in particular, she Gianrico Carofiglio’s work. At that stage only three books in the Guido Guerrieri existed.

What is interesting is the parallel she draws between authors such as Gianrico Carofiglio and Michele Giuttari’s use of language in their professional and writing careers. In their careers they use words, in both spoken and written form, as an instrument to analyse, convince and convey information. This is apparent in the way Carofiglio structures his court room scenes and such detail would not have been possible without his judicial background and experience as an anti–Mafia prosecutor in Bari, a port on the coast of Puglia.

Aside from the convincing dialogue and legal jargon used the author’s background in the field adds a certain authority and weight to his writing. We have a credible insider’s overview of the workings, challenges and complexities of the Italian justice system. Unlike with a police officer or detective as protagonist where we might read about the bloody details and logistics of the murder, here we observe it from a distant, strictly legal perspective.

Despite its detailed legal component The Measure of Time is equal part a contemplation of life and these meditations are notable highlights. As mentioned earlier the passing of time and inevitable death is something which is on Guido’s mind and of course, also what the title refers to. His nostalgic memories of the time spent with Lorenza and the realisation that their relationship was doomed from the start are bitter–sweet.

“This woman belonged to a dimension of existence that was different from mine. She would become a famous writer, she would travel, she would live through all sorts of adventures. I had no part in that. I was just passing through.”

He fell in love with this beautiful, elusive and fickle woman who in the end merely discarded him without as much as an explanation or goodbye. We can’t help but sympathise with Guido, yet his reunion with Lorenza confirms that, in retrospect, it was for the best.

Guido might have a legal mind, but his thoughts frequently meander into the philosophical realm. This intellectual thinking is most likely exacerbated by his love for reading and books. The scene where he, suffering from insomnia, visits Osteria del Caffellatte, a bookshop which is open through the night will appeal to book lovers.

At one point he sentimentally recalls when we lived in a time of sounds that don’t exist anymore today.

“It was a time when the soundscape of our lives was starting to change irreversibly. A period still full of sounds that no longer exist today … It was analogue world still made up (not much for longer, though we didn’t know that then) of wheels, gears and switches.”

Acute observations of something as simple as the way sounds changed over decades are what make A Measure of Time more than just a legal crime fiction novel. If a well–structured courtroom drama is what you are looking for you won’t be disappointed, but you will certainly be pleasantly surprised by a more substantial read. Carofiglio also touches on vital issues in the Italian society such as morality; gender relations; organised crime and power dynamics.

Most of Carofiglio’s novels have, thankfully, been translated into multiple languages — many, including The Measure of Time, by Howard Curtis. They have earned him international acclaim and many are winners of numerous awards. Comparisons have been made to John Grisham, but I beg to differ, Gianrico Carofiglio, style is unequalled and well–worth exploring.

If you think The Measure of Time might tickle your fancy, here’s a short extract that might convince you to head over to your nearest book store.

The Measure of Time is published by Bitter Lemon Press and they kindly provided me with a review copy for this blog tour. Thank you to them and tour organiser, Anne Cater of Random Things Tours for allowing me to take part. We’re still only at the beginning of the tour, so look out for the reviews of the bloggers listed below.

About the author and translator

Gianrico Carofiglio now a full time novelist was a member of the Senate in Italy and an anti-Mafia prosecutor in Bari, a port on the coast of Puglia. He is a best-selling author of crime novels and literary fiction, translated in 27 languages. This is the sixth Guerrieri novel is in this best-selling series.

Howard Curtis is a well-known translator from the Italian and has translated other titles in this series.

Stories for the years | Luigi Pirandello

Before I read Stories for the Years my only knowledge of Pirandello’s work has been the play Six Characters in Search of an Author. However, there’s much more to this prolific writer than a few plays. *

Luigi Pirandello was an Italian dramatist, novelist, poet, and short story writer who was born in Sicily and awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1934, shortly before his death.

In 1904 Pirandello lost most of his and his wife’s wealth when his father’s sulphur mines, in which Pirandello was heavily invested, were destroyed in a flood. His wife, Antonietta, subsequently suffered an emotional collapse which led to her eventually being committed to an asylum.

Given this background it should come as no surprise that his plays sometimes border on the absurd and deal with topics such as the dynamics between reality, sanity, and identity. On the other hand his short stories capture the essence of rural life in Sicily – whether it’s through dialogue or the sharp observations of the daily life of the island’s inhabitants.

In this collection of short stories, compiled by Virginia Jewiss. The idea for Stories for the Years originated in 1922 when Pirandello started gathering his short stories into a collection. The intention was to compile 365 stories into a single volume – unfortunately Pirandello never managed to complete this feat. Virginia Jewiss revisited the master story-teller’s idea in this new version published by Yale University Press. In Stories for Years she chose and translated thirty stories that capture central themes present in his work.

Among these are identity, relationships and the mismatch between reality and appearances. In the story of Donna Mimma, for example, the livelihood of a seasoned midwife is under threat when a young, twenty year-old “coquette” from the mainland, Elvira Mosti, arrives in town. Will the village choose the one with the experience and wisdom or the one with the education and knowledge? Since Donna Mimma has no diploma and suddenly isn’t allowed to practice without one, she has no choice but to go back to university at the age of fifty-six. Much like many of Pirandello’s stories, a seemingly straight-forward story has a sting in its tail. Characters like Donna Mimma and Jaco Naco harbour resentment towards others, but their bitterness and meanness only lead to their own downfall. Whether their unpleasant demeanour is justified is for the reader to decide.

These moral aspects and sometimes hidden lessons bring a distinct folktale quality to the stories. And just like most folktales they also have a dark and ironic undertone, but also a distinct feeling of melancholy. Whether it’s sadness about ageing, financial struggles or solitude. Nonetheless his beautifully visual descriptions conjure up a traditional time in Sicily’s history that is long gone.

It’s not difficult to see why Pirandello was regarded as one of Europe’s most significant literary figures of the last century. Despite their vivid depiction of Sicily in the early nineteen hundreds, most of the issues his characters struggled with are still relevant today.

*Pirandello published around 200 short stories, including one the day before he died. His first story was published at the age of seventeen.

Stories for the years is published by Yale University Press who also kindly provided me with a NetGalley copy for review.

Italian Life | Tim Parks

Tim Parks is a British novelist, translator, author and professor of literature. He moved to Italy in 1981 and has lived there ever since with his Italian wife and three children. He has written fourteen novels published in half a dozen countries. Over the years he has written extensively about life in Italy – Preceding Italian Life were Italian Neighbours (1992), An Italian Education (1996) and Italian Ways (2013).

Right from the get-go Parks states that Italian Life is not a memoirs. The fact that James, his main character is also an academic living in Italy is merely a minor similarity.

Of the 40 years he has been living in Italy, 26 of them was spent as university professor at IULM University in Milan. We can safely assume that he knows what he’s talking about when he writes a novel about Italy and particularly the academic environment. Yet, after so many years in Italy he still struggles to get a handle on the intricate workings of the notorious Italian bureaucracy and permeating corruption which lies at its core.

In addition he explores the complexity of Italian society and the challenge to be accepted as part of the community, a community which, when allowed into, can be a warm and welcoming one. But first you need to understand that things work a little bit differently in Italy and that could take a while.

No-one knows this better than James, the protagonist of Italian Life. Despite being married to an Italian wife, he is still considered an outsider and especially so where his academic career is concerned. Although he speaks Italian fluently, he will never be able to master the finer nuances of the dialect and dialect is community. So every time he speaks, it’s blatantly clear that he is an outsider.

For many years James has been teaching English to university students and at Oxford or Yale he would’ve been given the position of Professor. Italy, however, is a different kettle of fish and the best he can get is a teaching job at a university in Milan since his degrees are not recognised in Italy. Unless you jump through a few hoops, of course, or if you show you’re “an amenable fellow”, one who will do small favours for someone else. And so starts James’ navigation of the maze which is Italian academe.

Meanwhile in the small town of Basilicata Valeria is on the verge of leaving the tightly woven Italian family nest to go off to study. Through a string of random circumstances, much to her family’s dismay, she is given a place at a university in Milan – far away from her family.

In Italy community is everything – it’s not only people, it’s a place, belonging to a family which lives in a house, or houses, together. Parks lays out the family dynamic and all its odd quirks, such as the role the family plays in the choice of husband and wife.

 “Altogether it’s a honeycomb of warm solicitude and vicious vituperation.”

Eventually James and Valeria’s worlds briefly merge and Valeria’s academic career is at risk due to university politics and power struggles.

Tim Parks sets out to answer the question “How does Italy work?” and he comes to an ambivalent conclusion. Because Italy works according to unwritten rules and the challenge is to puzzle out what they are and how to use them to your advantage. He creates a vivid and revealing rendition of the complexity of Italian society – good and bad. In the end you are left with the feeling that, with all its societal quirks, political tap-dancing and love for ceremony, it still has a certain inexplicable charm to it.

Italian Life is published by Harvill Secker, a Penguin imprint and they kindly provided me with a review copy via NetGalley.

Snow, Dog, Foot | Claudio Morandini

Claudio Morandini’s short, descriptive tale about an old man and a dog is a deceptively simple one. But don’t be misguided by it’s simplicity and lulled by it’s quietude. It has a dark, unsettling undercurrent flowing through it which might catch you off guard.

Adelmo Farandola avoids people at all cost. Living up in the mountains, he prefers his own company to the villagers in the nearby town. He’s grown accustomed to silence and having to adhere to social norms such as basic hygiene. But it comes at a cost. Adelmo Farandola is slowly losing his mind.

Occasionally, after months of solitude, he is forced to venture down the mountain to stock up on basic supplies – bread, wine, cheese and potatoes. After one such visit, the owner of the shop reminds Adelmo that he has already been down for supplies not too long ago and he’s flustered by the realisation that it completely slipped his mind. While walking back he’s followed by an mangy dog which, no matter how hard he tries, he can’t get rid of. Despite his initial resistance the dog becomes his patient companion, one he also has conversations with – and the animal with him. Apart from the dog, his only other contact with a living being is the overzealous ranger who seems to be checking up on him, much to his annoyance.

When winter arrives and an avalanche traps both man and dog inside the cabin for weeks and his supplies run out, Adelmo’s has to take desperate measures to survive. Simultaneously his sense of reality slowly starts to diminish and he gets lost and confused in his own unreliable memories.

When the snow eventually melts he and the dog discovers a foot sticking out from under the snow – presumably one with a body attached to it. But whose body is it and how did it get there?

Morandini’s writing is stripped of unnecessary clutter. It perfectly captures the contradiction of the environment’s beauty and bleakness as well as an atmosphere of impending danger. It’s beautifully descriptive, even the parts that shouldn’t be. Snow, dog, foot is a compact, potent novella will inexplicably stay with you while leaving you perplexed, doubting your own ability to differentiate between reality and illusion.

Snow, dog, foot is published by independent publisher, Peirene Press, as part of the Closed Universe series. Peirene Press is an award-winning boutique publishing house, specialising in high-quality first-translations of contemporary European novellas and only publishing books of less than 200 pages. Peirene also runs a subscription book service.

Thank you to Maddie at Peirene for giving me the opportunity to read and review Snow, dog, foot and for gifting me a review copy. I look forward to reading more of Peirene Press’s publications.

The Fourth Shore | Virginia Baily

In May 1929 Liliana Cattaneo sets foot in Tripoli, the capital of the Italian colony of Tripolitania. Seventeen year-old Liliana is bursting with excitement at the opportunity of escaping her parents in Rome and joining her socialist brother, Stefano in Italy’s “lost” African territory and fourth shore.

Liliana dreams of adventures and a glamorous life away from fascism and Mussolini’s reign. Little does she know her experience will be far from this. What starts off as a exciting romance with a seemingly powerful military officer quickly escalates into a dangerous threat to Liliana, as well as her family.

The Fourth Shore tells Liliana’s life story in two timelines – her life in Tripoli and her second life in London as Lily Jones, an elderly woman who tries to make sense of her memories. We meet her again in May 1980 after her husband passes away. When she sees a familiar name in the newspaper she is forced to confront her past and the scars she’s been carrying for almost fifty years.

As a backdrop to Liliana’s story is an enormous amount of history and it’s clear than Bailey has researched this tumultuous period in Italy’s history enough to be able to give a thorough and convincing rendition of it to her readers.

Before reading The Fourth Shore I knew little about this part of Italy’s history, but Bailey manages to bring it to life. At times Liliana’s naivety becomes frustrating and you might want to shake her to bring her to her senses, but then you realise that her behaviour is the result of her Catholic upbringing and years of being exposed to certain political and religious doctrines.

In the end this isn’t meant to be an unrealistic romanticised depiction of war. It’s a realistic telling of war and the small details which don’t necessarily make it into the history books.

Thank you to Jonathan Ball for the review copy. The Fourth Shore is published locally by Jonathan Ball, and originally by Little Brown.