About a decade ago I read the book The Leapord, by Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa. In the same year I went and saw the film, which was made by Visconte. The story is set between 1860 - 1910 Sicily, in a time when the aristocracy was being overthrown. The story is told by a wise, forward thinking Prince Salina who embraces change, but has to deal with friends and family who are fighting for the old ways.
The film is long, beautiful and detailed. The only way I can describe it is like watching a huge oil painting that moves. It's on about every two years at the Palace, and every time I see it I'm moved to tears. The book is so beautiful that Sicily was our choice of destination for our honeymoon.
The other thing I really love about the book is the story of the author. He was the grandson of Prince Salina, and the last in the family line of princes in Sicily. He wrote the Leapord as a way of fighting depression he suffered after World War 2. The novel was rejected by publishers during his life. It wasn't until he died the work was recognised, and is now considered a classic of Italian literature. Apart from a book of short stories it was the only novel he produced.
Thanks to Three Buttons for hosting this fun game of show and tell. xxxx
3 comments:
Now yours is as good a recommendation to read this Italian classic as I've seen. I really must borrow it from the library!
Sounds wonderful! I'll add it to my reading list!
Another one to add to my must read and must watch list. Thanks for the recommendation.
Cheers.
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