Andrea Camilleri
The Shape of Water (1994)
translated by Stephen Sartarelli
After stumbling upon The Fencing Master several years ago, I overcame my reluctance to read books that had been translated into English. I’d somehow gotten it into my head that translated books were literature and my experiences with literature have not always been the best.
Never mind the fact that I love Virgil and Ovid. They were different you see. They were storytelling and folklore and mythology and fascinating. Not literature. Well, I quickly changed my mind, and have since then been pleased to discover that things get translated into English because they’re good. And if I stick to the genres I like best (fantasy and mystery) I should be pleased with the results.
I started this book awhile ago, but didn’t quite get into it. However, having read much of Donna Leon’s Commissario Guido Brunetti series I found The Shape of Water easier to read. First, the pacing of the book seemed more comfortable, and I was no longer surprised by the fact that everything stopped for meals. I was also not surprised by some of the things that American readers might find outlandish, such as falsifying evidence, or the lack of trust of the police. That’s not to say Donna Leon and Andrea Camilleri are comparable. They aren’t. There are two very different books by two very different authors, one of whom is a native Italian.
Camilleri is extremely earthy. His language and demeanor are what you might expect from a small town cop–which he is. Or to put it another way, I don’t think I’ll be placing this book on my grandmother’s To Read pile.
But despite these differences, the flow of life and of the stories is somehow similar, despite the dissimilarities of the cities in which the detectives reside. After all, The Shape of Water is set in Sicily.
Inspector Montalbano is called out to the scene of a death–no one is sure if it is murder or not, but enough about the scene raises his suspicions that he refuses to close the case until he is sure. What I like best about Montalbano is his concern. His childhood friend may be the biggest pimp in town, but when he speaks to the window he does not want to discuss with her the circumstances of her husband’s death, for fear of causing her additional pain.
Of course what I’m curious about now is the authenticity of the vulgarity. Specifically, Do the words chose in this translation have the same punch as the words chosen in Italian? The word “fuck” appears quite frequently here. Does the word in the original Italian carry the same connotation as the “fuck” does? The same baggage? I’ve had similar questions when reading other translated books, and if other books in this series are translated by the same person, I’ll be curious to see whether this remains consistent through his translations.
Rating: 7/10
The Terra Cotta Dog (1996)
translated by Stephen Sartaelli
In the second Inspector Salvo Montalbano book, Montalbano is called by his friend Gege–the head of local prostitution–to meet, because Gege has something he has been asked to discuss with Montalbano.
From here, Montalbano is drawn into organized crime, whether he wants to or not, and also discovers a fifty year old crime that becomes something of an obsession, especially after the current case takes a turn for the worse.
First of all, if you haven’t read a Montalbano mystery before, Montalbano is an asshole. To put it bluntly. He’s an earthy man in a profession that can be extremely dangerous, and because he’s good at his job, he’s arrogant on top of everything else. But he is good at his job, and the mysteries he uncovers are fascinating.
Although I have placed this book on the shelf for my grandmother to read, I have a feeling she won’t much like them or read past the first book, primarily because of the language. Not that the language doesn’t fit the character, but I don’t think she’ll like it. Although she make enjoy all the descriptions of food–even if I’m not so sure about recipes involving squid ink.
Rating: 7/10
The Snack Thief (1996)
translated by Stephen Sartarelli
The third book in Andrea Camilleri’s Inspector Montalbano series finds Montalbano investigating a man found murdered in an elevator, while Augello investigates a shooting on a fishing boat that left a Tunisian dead–shot ostensibly by a Tunisian police boat claiming the fishing boat was no longer in International waters.
Montalbano remains irascible and an asshole, yet he also remains very good at his job (and also remains unwilling to be promoted and taken from his beloved Vigata.) What is interesting is how Montalbano–despite being a complete SOB most of the time–remains an excellent investigator and able to ferret out secrets.
Additionally to a complex (is anything in Italy ever simple) mystery, we begin to learn far more about Montalbano and his his past and why (maybe) he is the way he is. Though I still seriously wonder what the heck Livia sees in him.
And with every book Montalbano spends plenty of time eating and enjoying. Making me very hungry and interested in Italian cooking the more I read of this series.
My primary problem was the title. I mean really, The Snack Thief? Quaint–and strange. Luckily, this resolves itself and after it was clarified I kinda liked, but it still felt very strange for a title–not something I’d be likely to pick up if I hadn’t read the previous books in the series.
But of course I have read the previous books in the series, and thoroughly enjoyed The Snack Thief. Although the book refers to events in previous book, you should be able to read it without difficulty–especially since there is a glossary in the back explaining the terms and words used in the story.
Rating: 8/10
Voice of the Violin (1997)
translated by Stephen Sartarelli
The more I read of Andrea Camilleri’s Inspector Montalbano series, the more I like it. Initially I wasn’t sure about Salvo–he’s often a jerk–why do people like him? Well, he can be a jerk, but the more I read, the more he comes across as a curmudgeon than a jerk.
I am wondering if this is an issue with translation or whether Italian readers would recognize him as a type whereas I, the lowly American reader, might not see this. I’m guessing the later. However, the more I read the more it comes clear that he’s far more than a curmudgeon–he’s very ethical in his own way. And he’s very likable in his own brusque way.
On his way to a funeral, Montalbano’s driver manages to hit a car parked along the side of the road. This leads him into a murder case that is twisted and convoluted and then suddenly, subject to the politics of the police department.
Meanwhile, Mimi’s sister wants to talk to Salvo about Francois, which leads to problems (as usual) with Livia. Now I have to admit, I don’t see why Livia and Montabano remain together, especially when they are so physically separated. But then again perhaps that’s why they can remain together.
I enjoyed the mystery, though I was once again surprised by the casual manner in which police corruption and dealings with the Mafia are discussed, and the way at which Montalano seems unsurprised by either police corruption or dealings with the Mafia.
I am thoroughly enjoying these mysteries–in fact I ordered two more after finishing The Voice of the Violin.
Rating: 8/10
Excursion to Tindari (2000)
translated by Stephen Sartarelli
A young man is found dead just outside his front door in what seems to be a mafia killing. This event would have passed almost unnoticed, except that a distraught man calls to report that his parents–who live in the same building as the murdered man–have disappeared.
The coincidence of the two events makes Inspector Montalbano suspicious, and as he looks into the disappearance of the elderly couple, their actions in taking an excursion to Tindari seem stranger and stranger.
The more Inspector Montalbano books I read, the more I like them, and Excursion to Tindari is no exception. Although Montalbano can be harsh and obnoxious, it becomes more and more clear that despite his tendencies, he cares deeply about his men and about how he does his job.
His relationship with Liva is still a strange thing to me, but the more I read, the more than relationship seems to be the type of relationship Montalbano would have–after all, he would be a very difficult man to live with, so that is perhaps why his long distance relationship works so well.
If you have not yet read an Inspector Montalbano mystery, I recommend them. The first book is a little difficult to get into, but the rewards as the series continues are well worth getting to know Montalbano in the first book, where he is not so likable.
Rating: 8/10
The Smell of the Night (2001)
translated by Stephen Sartarelli
As Montalbano continues to have trouble with the commissioner, trouble with Liva, continues to be an asshole to everyone he works with. In other words, nothing has changed with him.
In The Smell of the Night Emanuele Gargano has run off with billions of lire, and everyone in Vigata wants their money back and Gargano strung up–not necessarily in that order. Although the crime occurred in Vigata, the case has gone to the fraud investigator, and Montalbano and his department are left to tie up loose ends. Unfortunately, not only does the case get more complicated, the commissioner is after Montalbano, and nothing good is likely to come of that.
Despite the fact he’s an unrepentant asshole, Montalbano remains likable, primarily because he is deeply concerned with justice. And his anger is not only for his subordinates when they make mistakes, but for himself as well. This case shows that most clearly; Montalbano has nothing to gain by solving this case, yet solve it he wants to, not just because people have lost their savings in a Ponzi scheme (and who now doesn’t know what a Ponzi scheme is), but because he needs to know what happened.
However, although this book was good, it wasn’t great. I liked the twists and the turns and the unexpected discoveries. However, I saw the fight coming with Liva, and for some reason this story just didn’t have the urgency of other stories in the series. Like I said, it was good, but it wasn’t great. And the translator is still playing around with Catarella’s accent. It isn’t a problem per se, but it does take me out of the story when I keep noticing that his accent/dialect/speech patterns are different with every book.
As with the other books in the series, you should be able to read The Smell of the Night without having read any other books about Inspector Montalbano.
Rating:7/10
Rounding the Mark (2003)
translated by Stephen Sartarelli
Inspector Montalbano is mad. Very mad. Police raids in Genoa have made a spectacle of Italian police, and Montalbano feels as if he has been betrayed by a system that ignores that ideals he holds dear. He says he’s going to resign, but then he goes out for a swim and everything changes.
There are two deaths, and despite what Montalbano things, no one wants to rule either death a homicide. Montalbano and several others, however, see things differently, and so Montalbano once more takes on these cases–these unofficial cases–to see justice done.
But what made me like this book so much is what Montalbano things and feels, and how he justifies his own actions in the light of the police actions in Genoa.
SPOILERS
(rot13)
Sbe zr, gur pehk vf guvf qvnybt.
“Gur dhrfgvba vf guvf,” fnvq Nhtryyb, “jura ner lbh tbvat gb fgbc npgvat yvxr na nffubyr?”
“Va jung frafr?”
“Va rirel frafr sbe Puevffnxr! Jub qb lbh guvax lbh ner, gur avtug niratre? Gur ybar jbys? Lbh’er n shpxvat cbyvpr vafcrpgbe! Unir lbh sbetbggra? Lbh ercebnpu gur cbyvpr sbe abg borlvat gur ehyrf, naq lbh’er gur svefg gb oernx gurz! Lbh tb bhg va n qnatrebhf zvffvba, naq lbh oevat nybat abg bar bs hf, ohg n Fjrqvfu ynql! Vg’f vafnar! Lbh fubhyq unir vasbezrq lbhe fhcrevbef bs nyy gurfr guvatf, be ng yrnfg svyyrq hf va, vafgrnq bs tbvat bhg naq cynlvat gur obhagl uhagre!”
“Fb gung’f jung ohttvat lbh?”
“Jul, vfa’g gung rabhtu?”
“Ab vg’f abg Zvzv. V’ir qbar jbefr.”
Zvzv’f wnj qebccrq va ubeebe.
Naq gurer vg vf. Zbagnyonab noubef vawhfgvpr, ohg nyfb oryvrirf gung ur pna fyvqr bhgfvqr gur ehyrf va frnepu bs gung whfgvpr.
Vg frrzf gb zr gung jung Zbagnyonab ernyyl ungrf vfa’g vawhfgvpr, ohg ynpx bs ubabe. Zbagnyonab xabjf gung jura ur fgrcf bhgfvqr gur ehyrf, ur qbrf fb gb npg jvgu ubabe (jryy, gurer jnf gur vapvqrag jvgu gur ubhfr va gur ynfg obbx…), juvpu vf jul ur vf erfcrpgrq abg whfg ol uvf zra, ohg nyfb ol gur pevzvanyf, nf jr fnj va rneyvre obbxf.
Whfgvpr naq ubabe frrz yvxr gurl fubhyq or gur fnzr guvat, ohg gurl nera’g, ernyyl.
SPOILERS
So as in other books, Montalbano remains a complex character, and that is what makes him so fascinating.
You could read this book without having read previous books in the series, however, I think the impact of the story is greater if you know Montalbano’s past. That knowledge makes the story stronger.
Rating: 9/10
The Patience of the Spider (2004)
translated by Stephen Sartarelli
The problem with Inspector Montalbano books is that if I pick one up, I tend to read the entire book in an evening.
Which isn’t so good on a week night.
Montalbano is recovering from the events in Rounding the Mark. Liva is staying with him while he recuperates, but he’s suffering nightmares and isn’t sure what to do with himself. He’s called back to work, however, when the entire station is called out for a case that gets more and more confusing as it goes.
Unusually, I figured out what was going on pretty quickly. Not sure why it was so obvious this time, but knowing that early “whodunnit” contributed to my not quite knowing how to feel about this book. It was interesting, as all the Montalbano stories are, but I didn’t find it nearly as compelling as Rounding the Mark, which I thought was excellent, where Montalbano had to come to terms with his actions and morality and how that fit into the police force and larger world.
Also, Montalbano is on a diet, so much of the writing about food seems to be Montalbano’s longing for it. And he’s definitely feeling his age. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, but his introspection didn’t seem to be going anywhere as it did in the previous book.
So The Patience of the Spider isn’t a bad book, but it is not one of my favorites. Although you should be able to read this book without having read the previous books, I would not suggest this as a place to start reading.
Rating: 6.5/7
The Paper Moon (2005)
translated by Stephen Sartarelli
I am sad.
I have now read all the Inspector Montalbano books that have been published and translated into English. August Heat comes out later this year, but after that? No more Inspector Montalbano for me–at least until the next book is translated.
Montalbano is starting to feel his age and it’s getting to him. He’s begun waking up in the morning, afraid that if he thinks about his death it will suddenly come true.
I find this quite interesting, since he’s had two (?) life threatening injuries in this series, but a quiet death has become his fear and obsession.
He is, of course, eventually distracted from this by a case. A woman complains that her brother has disappeared, and Montalbano ends up taking the case. He quickly discovers there are several beautiful and manipulative women involved–all of whom he has to deal with to solve the case.
I’m not sure how I feel about the mystery in The Paper Moon. The parallel cases made the solution feel obvious to me, however, Montalbano would usually have multiple cases going on, most of which were not related, so perhaps the link was meant to be obvious.
Regardless, the true mystery came not from the link between the two cases but what had actually happened to Angelo Pardo–and how the women in his life relate to the case.
Now, of course, I’m left bereft of any new Montalbano cases, and must find something else to read.
Rating: 7/10
August Heat (2005)
translated by Stephen Satarelli
It’s August, and it’s hot, and Inspector Montalbano is unhappy not only because of the heat, but because Liva made Salvo find a house from her friends to rent during their vacation.
Unfortunately, the house turns out to be far more trouble than Inspector Montalbno expected
Montalbano continues to try and deal with the problems that he is associating with age–and he is right to do so. And this is a book where Liva is a problem rather than a help (sometimes they are in love, sometimes things are falling apart. In this book, things are worse than normal.)
Again, Montalbano is conflicted over his ethics and morality. He is willing to cross the line in the name of doing good, but if he can cross the line, then what makes it wrong for others to do so. And what makes Montalbano, when he crosses the line, different from others who do so.
And again Montalbano is really starting to feel his age. Unlike some other series, Montalbano is aging over the course of the series, and is having to deal with those changes and how they are affecting his ability to do his job.
He can still be a right bastard, but he’s mellowed out a lot over the course of the series, and even characters like Cat have become more understandable and likable as opposed to simply frustrating and annoying.
And now I have no idea when the next Montalbano book will be coming out, so no more time in Vigata for awhile. Which is too bad. If you have not read a previous book in the series, you should be able to start here with no difficulty.
Rating: 7/10
The Wings of the Sphinx (2006/2009)
translated by Stephen Sartarelli
Inspector Salvo Montalbano and his girlfriend Livia are again on the outs. And his day begins with a call from Catarella, about a dead body. And if you’ve read an inspector Montalbano book, you know that no phone call from Cat can lead anywhere good.
Montalbano is–if anything–getting even crankier as he ages, but his sardonic humor is in rare form.
In the station’s parking lot he pulled up alongside a Ferrari. Who could it belong to? Surely a cretin, whatever the actual name on the registration.
…
Naturally, the fortyish man who came into his office had a different name from the one cited and written down by Catarella: Francesco Di Noto. Decked out in Armani, top-of-the-line loafers worn without socks, Rolex, shirt open to a golden crucifix suffocating in a forest of unkempt, rampant black hair.He was surely the idiot tooling around in the Ferrari. But the inspector wanted confirmation.
“My compliments on your beautiful car.”
“Thanks. It’s a 360 Modena. I’ve also got a Porsche Carrera.
Double cretin with fireworks.
And then there was this exchange:
“Is that all you can tell me doctor?”
“No.”
“Look, Doctor. I haven’t got time to waste, either.”
“I found two things.”
“Are you planning to tell me in monthly installments?”
That sounds an awful lot like someone I know.
So in addition to the dialog, anything else about the book I liked? Yes.
As usual, there were long sensual descriptions of meals. Which made me hungry, regardless of the actual state of my stomach.
And of course the mystery, which was (again as usual) both fascinating and depressing. Fascinating, because I really enjoy the complex mysteries Andrea Camilleri creates, and depressing, because the amount of corruption that is taken as business as usual never fails to astound me.
The one thing I did find unusual is he actually references Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi (not by name per se, but in ways that would be recognized by Italians are are pointed out in the translators notes at the end of the book). Although most of the books mention the political corruption endemic to Italy, this book struck me as a bit more blunt about it than past books. But that could just be me.
I really enjoy this series and highly recommend. My only caveat is that this books are set in Italy, and as mentioned, the corruption that is taken as a given may come as a bit of a shock to American readers, as will the somewhat direct and earthy language used by Montalbano. But once you get used to that, this really is an excellent series, and one I thoroughly enjoy.
Rating: 8/10
Inspector Salvo Montalbano: The Shape of Water (1994), The Terra Cotta Dog (1996), The Snack Thief (1996), Voice of the Violin (1997), Excursion to Tindari (2000), The Smell of the Night (2001), Rounding the Mark (2003), The Patience of the Spider (2004), The Paper Moon (2005), August Heat (2005), The Wings of the Sphinx (2006/2009)
Andrea Camilleri's website (in English)
