The Sicilian Bandit From the Volume "Captain Paul"

by José María de Pereda

This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery.

Genres: France

104 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1991

About the author

José María de Pereda was one of the most distinguished of modern Spanish novelists.

Reviews

[Дмитрий]

Очень событийное повествование для столь малой литературной формы.
Читается на одном дыхании.

[James]

This short story follows the trials and tribulations of a Sicilian Pascal Bruno whose family are either killed or imprisoned as an example to the local villagers. Then, scorned in love he turns to a life of crime. Unlike Dumas’ other short stories, he does not focus on describing the region, by not doing this this story is redeemed. Beyond his knowledge of France, Dumas is a poor writer of stories set in other countries.

Similarly, unlike his other short stories, this book was wonderfully well written. A true great writing style that Dumas is synonymous for. It is also wonderful to read other works by Dumas beyond his typical themes surrounding the French Royal Family.

HOWEVER, having said this, Dumas IS NOT a short story writer. It is just like trying to picture Hemingway writing a book 800 - 1,200 pages long. It just wouldn’t work. For Dumas writing style he needs the creative licence to develop the story line and characters that a book of 100 - 200 pages can’t do. This book tried to cover too much in too short a space of time. As such, it failed, and, in a bad way too.

The last two chapters did, in some ways make up for this story.

[Ani Vardanyan]

Rather interesting, easy-to-read story. But the end is so predictable, kinda "as-it-should-be". Typical Dumas, what to say?? :)

[MJ]

What a gem of a find! The Dumas genius grips you from the first to last image.