Scan barcode
tombennett72's review against another edition
4.0
A cracking story with wonderful, wonderful characters. Marseilles, of course, is the star in many ways.
I'm new to Mediterranean Noir, but hooked.
The only slight disappointment is the translation in this version. Clunky US sentences that need a couple of read-through in order to pick out the sense add nothing to what is other wise an excellent read.
I'm new to Mediterranean Noir, but hooked.
The only slight disappointment is the translation in this version. Clunky US sentences that need a couple of read-through in order to pick out the sense add nothing to what is other wise an excellent read.
annathorneby's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
markfromct's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
3.75
jimbose's review against another edition
5.0
Appena l’ho iniziato a leggere, mi sono ritrovato le narici invase dalla salsedine. Ho gustato il sapore dell’aglio soffritto in una padella di ferro. Ho apprezzato il calore del whisky che attraversa l’esofago per esplodere nello stomaco. Sono stato avvolto dal miasma acre dell’urina che violenta l’aria appena prendi una viuzza poco frequentata oppure quando ti trovi in un luogo in cui il degrado dimora tanto nei luoghi quanto nelle persone. Ma ho visto pure il colore del pesce appena pescato. Ed ho sentito l’odore della polvere da sparo che porta con sé la promessa di riscatto. Promessa che maciulla le vite, che regala sogni e, poi, li distrugge.
Fabio, Manu, Ugo, Lole. Non vi dimentico.
Fabio, Manu, Ugo, Lole. Non vi dimentico.
doc's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
fa_bio_la's review against another edition
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
pino_sabatelli's review against another edition
3.0
Purtroppo il mio incontro con Izzo è avvenuto troppo tardi. Non discuto il suo ruolo di caposcuola che ha reinventato gli stilemi del genere creando il filone del noir “mediterraneo”, ma purtroppo la lettura di troppi suoi epigoni ha saturato qualsiasi mia capacità di sopportazione. Poiché qualche anno fa il mio giudizio su questo libro sarebbe stato certamente diverso (e probabilmente entusiasta), ritengo che sarebbe inutile per me entrare più di tanto nell’analisi del libro, oltre che fuorviante per il mio benevolo lettore e irrispettoso nei confronti di Izzo. Per cui chiudo dicendo che questo è un libro ed un Autore che dovreste leggere: se vi piace il genere.
tobyyy's review against another edition
3.0
Unread shelf project 2020: book 7.
A noir love letter to Marseilles, wrapped in the savagery of the mafia and steeped in the perfume of love and love lost.
A noir love letter to Marseilles, wrapped in the savagery of the mafia and steeped in the perfume of love and love lost.
lisanussd's review against another edition
5.0
I love mystery/thriller books. I found this accidentally in the library because of the unique cover of the Europa edition. I feel in immediately. The cavalier and swift writing style invited me into intrigue and corruption. The pace is like "the girl with the dragon tattoo," but the characters are more human and real. Good book.
doobyus's review against another edition
5.0
the noirest of noir novels. entirely believable work with truly living characters and the bleakest of emotional landscapes. hope glimmers faintly throughout the novel but is consistently trampled by dark reality. a very satisfying work with an excellent sense of place, marseille, enriching the politics, the history, the crime, and the redemption.
brilliant
brilliant