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The House by the Medlar Tree: I Malavoglia (Dedalus European Classics Series) by First Last
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April 12, 2026
I mainly think that I needed a better printed translation!
That aside I liked the subtly of pace. The long start with all the gossiping in the town, so that when the camalities start happening to the family it is clear that no one is actually going to help or show sympathy or kindness. If anything they make things worse and heap on the trouble causing even more collapse that they can then chat about.
The apparent close knit community where everyone is somehow related and need each other to survive turns out not to be a community at all and no one can rely on anyone not to do them harm, mainly by their chatty mouths.
And there is no peace from this relentless gossip, not the church, not the doctor, not at a funeral, not preparing a bride. They just never stop. This is the tragedy of this community and family.
That aside I liked the subtly of pace. The long start with all the gossiping in the town, so that when the camalities start happening to the family it is clear that no one is actually going to help or show sympathy or kindness. If anything they make things worse and heap on the trouble causing even more collapse that they can then chat about.
The apparent close knit community where everyone is somehow related and need each other to survive turns out not to be a community at all and no one can rely on anyone not to do them harm, mainly by their chatty mouths.
And there is no peace from this relentless gossip, not the church, not the doctor, not at a funeral, not preparing a bride. They just never stop. This is the tragedy of this community and family.
Displaying 1 of 1 review