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La sustancia del mal
En 1985, durante una terrible tormenta, tres jóvenes son brutalmente asesinados en el Bletterbach, un enorme cañón tirolés cuyos fósiles cuentan la historia del mundo. Treinta años más tarde, el documentalista estadounidense Jeremiah Salinger se instala en la pequeña localidad alpina junto a su mujer y su hija pequeña y, a medida que va conociendo a los habitantes de la comunidad, se obsesiona con ese caso nunca resuelto. Nadie a su alrededor desea remover el pasado, como si aquel sangriento acontecimiento llevara consigo una maldición, y todos parecen esconder secretos inconfesables.
472 pages, Paperback
First published June 21, 2016
247 people are currently reading
4557 people want to read
About the author
Luca D'Andrea
12 books144 followersLuca D'Andrea è nato a Bolzano. Ha svolto l'attività d'insegnante alle scuole medie. Nel 2016 il romanzo thriller La sostanza del male, è divenuto un caso editoriale pubblicato in più di trentacinque paesi. Con la seconda opera, Lissy, ha vinto il Premio Scerbanenco 2017.
E' sceneggiatore, documentarista e collabora come giornalista con i quotidiani La Stampa e La Repubblica.
Luca D’Andrea arbeitet als Lehrer an einer Mittelschule in Bozen. Außerdem ist er als Fernsehjournalist tätig und schreibt Drehbücher für Dokumentarfilme. Unter anderem drehte er 2013 für das italienische Fernsehen die Produktion Mountain Heroes. Gli Eroi delle Dolomiti, eine Dokumentation über den Alltag der Bergretter in den Dolomiten, die ihn auch zu seinem ersten Thriller inspirierte.
Unter dem Namen G. L. D’Andrea schrieb er drei Kinderbücher, die unter dem Serientitel Wunderkind erschienen. Der internationale Durchbruch gelang ihm jedoch erst mit La sostanza del male, seinem ersten Thriller für erwachsene Leser, den er 2016 veröffentlichte und der sogleich in mehrere Sprachen übersetzt wurde. Sein zweiter Roman Lissy erhielt 2017 den Premio Giorgio Scerbanenco.
E' sceneggiatore, documentarista e collabora come giornalista con i quotidiani La Stampa e La Repubblica.
Luca D’Andrea arbeitet als Lehrer an einer Mittelschule in Bozen. Außerdem ist er als Fernsehjournalist tätig und schreibt Drehbücher für Dokumentarfilme. Unter anderem drehte er 2013 für das italienische Fernsehen die Produktion Mountain Heroes. Gli Eroi delle Dolomiti, eine Dokumentation über den Alltag der Bergretter in den Dolomiten, die ihn auch zu seinem ersten Thriller inspirierte.
Unter dem Namen G. L. D’Andrea schrieb er drei Kinderbücher, die unter dem Serientitel Wunderkind erschienen. Der internationale Durchbruch gelang ihm jedoch erst mit La sostanza del male, seinem ersten Thriller für erwachsene Leser, den er 2016 veröffentlichte und der sogleich in mehrere Sprachen übersetzt wurde. Sein zweiter Roman Lissy erhielt 2017 den Premio Giorgio Scerbanenco.
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September 3, 2017
This is a brilliant thriller translated from the Italian, set amidst the spectacular location of the Italian Dolomites in the Alto Adige, in the South Tyrol, an area I am familiar with and adore. New Yorker Jeremiah Salinger and his partner, Mike, famous for their 'Road Crew' features are hoping for the same success with their new documentary on a local Italian Helicopter Mountain Rescue Service. Jeremiah has recently located to Alto Adige, close to Siebenhoch, with his wife, Annelies, who grew up here, and their young daughter, Clara. Out on a mission, the entire crew with their rescued survivor perish after an avalanche hits them, Salinger is the sole survivor. Feeling and hearing the hiss of The Beast inside him, suffering from survivor's guilt and PTSD, Salinger is a broken man. He plays fast and loose with his medication, unsurprisingly, this hampers his progress. The only bright light in his life pushing him to recover is Clara. Out on a trip with her to the prehistoric graveyard that is the Bletterbach, he overhears a fateful conversation referring to a trio of gruesome murders that took place over thirty years ago. Salinger feels a look into the killings will help him to anchor his sanity, but has little inkling that his growing dark obsession will endanger his family and himself as the secrets of the past begin to raise their ugly heads in the present.
Salinger begins to gather information about the case, in the process upsetting locals unhappy about an outsider interfering with their business. Kurt, Evie and Markus were discovered in April 1985, horrifically and gruesomely murdered in the Bletterbach by a rescue team consisting of Max, Hannes, Gunther, and Werner (Anneliese's father), during a devastating storm triggering numerous landslides. Bletterbach is a place mired in myth and legend, malevolent and cursed, where an entire community, the Fanes, disappeared in the distant past, where locals took witches who never returned. Despite getting beaten up, and promising his wife to stop investigating, Salinger cannot let go, even as he tussles with The Beast that has taken up residence within him. His search takes him down numerous blind alleys. With numerous twists, Salinger follows the mystery until the truth emerges, a truth that just happens to be a little too close to home.
I found this a well plotted, exciting and gripping story that I just could not stop reading. The location is the strongest character with the forbidding mountains, ice, snow and storms. The local folklore such as the Krampus, is captivating, and the obstinate, insular local community that does not welcome outsiders is an authentic depiction. Jeremiah is a complex, compelling character, irritating, obsessive in nature, flawed, apt to forget his family responsibilities, but it is these qualities that lead him to uncover the secrets held by the distrusting locals, almost costing him everything he holds dear. I could not resist a quote from the novel from Jeremiah as a child: "Nothing bad could happen to me. I believed that up there in heaven, there existed a deity that protected book lovers from the ugliness of earthly life." Not true, but a wonderful thought. A book I loved reading and highly recommend. Many thanks to Quercus for an ARC.
Salinger begins to gather information about the case, in the process upsetting locals unhappy about an outsider interfering with their business. Kurt, Evie and Markus were discovered in April 1985, horrifically and gruesomely murdered in the Bletterbach by a rescue team consisting of Max, Hannes, Gunther, and Werner (Anneliese's father), during a devastating storm triggering numerous landslides. Bletterbach is a place mired in myth and legend, malevolent and cursed, where an entire community, the Fanes, disappeared in the distant past, where locals took witches who never returned. Despite getting beaten up, and promising his wife to stop investigating, Salinger cannot let go, even as he tussles with The Beast that has taken up residence within him. His search takes him down numerous blind alleys. With numerous twists, Salinger follows the mystery until the truth emerges, a truth that just happens to be a little too close to home.
I found this a well plotted, exciting and gripping story that I just could not stop reading. The location is the strongest character with the forbidding mountains, ice, snow and storms. The local folklore such as the Krampus, is captivating, and the obstinate, insular local community that does not welcome outsiders is an authentic depiction. Jeremiah is a complex, compelling character, irritating, obsessive in nature, flawed, apt to forget his family responsibilities, but it is these qualities that lead him to uncover the secrets held by the distrusting locals, almost costing him everything he holds dear. I could not resist a quote from the novel from Jeremiah as a child: "Nothing bad could happen to me. I believed that up there in heaven, there existed a deity that protected book lovers from the ugliness of earthly life." Not true, but a wonderful thought. A book I loved reading and highly recommend. Many thanks to Quercus for an ARC.
March 21, 2025
❄️ "Rasca por debajo de la superficie de un pueblecito de setecientas almas y encontrarás un nido de víboras." ❄️
Hoy les traigo "La sustancia del mal" del escritor italiano Luca D'Andrea, un apasionante thriller con toques de misterio que llevaba mucho tiempo esperando su turno en la estantería.
Algo me decía que no era para tanto el bombo que le dieron en su momento, pero sinceramente, y a pesar de entrar en la historia sin muchas expectativas, tanto la ambientación como la historia me han ido cautivando cada vez más según avanzaba en lo que allí se nos narra.
Una pena que el final no haya estado a la altura 😐
Pero vayamos por pasos ⤵️
Tenemos a Jeremiah Salinger, guionista de documentales, cuya mujer, Annelise, le pide un descanso tras el éxito de audiencia y críticas de su último trabajo. No es más que un simple cambio de aires al pueblo natal de ella, así que no le dan más vueltas y emprenden el viaje junto con la hija de ambos, Clara.
Una grandísima idea, ¿no? 😏
Una vez instalados en esa, en apariencia, insignificante pero espectacular mota en el mapa cuyo nombre es Siebenhoch, situada en el Alto Adigio, Tirol del Sur, Italia.
Allí, lejos de todo y de todos, la presencia de un antiguo mal se va haciendo cada vez más notable. Un mal que parece cobrar fuerza a medida que lo hace el ansia de Salinger por desentrañar la verdad.
Y con ella también lo hará su obsesión por revelar lo que se oculta tras esa masacre ocurrida treinta años atrás.
Entre otros aspectos, como su sublime ambientación, todo el aire de leyenda que se respira me ha enamorado.
Aquí una cita que corresponde a una tradición local que me ha encantado conocer y que me ha parecido escalofriante. ⤵️
❄️ "Los Krampus castigan a los malos y expulsan a los espíritus malignos. Los cargan sobre sí mismos." ❄️
Las continuas referencias a mi escritor favorito, que no es otro que Stephen King 🖤, son otro elemento que me ha sacado más de una sonrisa.
Pero el final ha sido la gran losa de esta novela. Demasiado anticlimático y lacrimógeno para mi gusto, nada que ver con el tono anterior y la atmósfera tan buena que había creado en torno a los Dolomitas, tanto por su historia (en gran parte desconocida para mi) como por sus leyendas.
Además de esa sensación continua de que hay cosas, demasiadas para mi gusto, que no han encajado del todo bien, las he sentido forzadas o no quedan del todo claras.
Una pena, aunque redondeo al alza mi valoración global porque la mayor parte de la novela me ha tenido en vilo, con algunos altibajos en el ritmo pero que consigue solventar con creces gracias a esas poderosas imágenes que logran trasladarte a esa fría y remota región.
Con ese velo de misterio que cubre cada página, de no saber qué es real y qué no. Este es uno de los aspectos que más me han gustado.
En resumen, "La sustancia del mal" da justo lo que pretende, y no es otra cosa que el más puro entretenimiento, bien aderezado con toques de misterio, alguna situación cómica y, por qué no, también sus momentos tiernos que son los que más me han desentonado, donde su punto más notable es, sin duda alguna, la magnífica atmósfera que consigue crear.
¿Y qué me dicen de esa sugerente portada?
Con La Bestia acechando 👀
¿Qué habrá de cierto en todo lo que se cuenta sobre esa inhóspita región?
¿Te atreves a preparar la maleta y a adentrarte en esta región tan singular?
Te aseguro que el viaje valdrá la pena 🤍
❄️ "No creo en los cuentos de hadas, ni tampoco en los monstruos debajo de la cama o en que la Tierra sea plana.
Pero estoy segura de que el Bletterbach es un lugar maldito, como estoy segura de que fumar es malo. Ha habido demasiados muertos ahí. Pastores que desaparecen en la nada. Leñadores que hablan de extrañas luces y de señales aún más peregrinas. Leyendas, mitos, fuegos fatuos. Puedes verlo como prefieras, pero hasta detrás de la leyenda más absurda hay un pequeño fondo de verdad." ❄️
⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️
https://www.facebook.com/LaLocadelosL... 💀🖤📚
Hoy les traigo "La sustancia del mal" del escritor italiano Luca D'Andrea, un apasionante thriller con toques de misterio que llevaba mucho tiempo esperando su turno en la estantería.
Algo me decía que no era para tanto el bombo que le dieron en su momento, pero sinceramente, y a pesar de entrar en la historia sin muchas expectativas, tanto la ambientación como la historia me han ido cautivando cada vez más según avanzaba en lo que allí se nos narra.
Una pena que el final no haya estado a la altura 😐
Pero vayamos por pasos ⤵️
Tenemos a Jeremiah Salinger, guionista de documentales, cuya mujer, Annelise, le pide un descanso tras el éxito de audiencia y críticas de su último trabajo. No es más que un simple cambio de aires al pueblo natal de ella, así que no le dan más vueltas y emprenden el viaje junto con la hija de ambos, Clara.
Una grandísima idea, ¿no? 😏
Una vez instalados en esa, en apariencia, insignificante pero espectacular mota en el mapa cuyo nombre es Siebenhoch, situada en el Alto Adigio, Tirol del Sur, Italia.
Allí, lejos de todo y de todos, la presencia de un antiguo mal se va haciendo cada vez más notable. Un mal que parece cobrar fuerza a medida que lo hace el ansia de Salinger por desentrañar la verdad.
Y con ella también lo hará su obsesión por revelar lo que se oculta tras esa masacre ocurrida treinta años atrás.
Entre otros aspectos, como su sublime ambientación, todo el aire de leyenda que se respira me ha enamorado.
Aquí una cita que corresponde a una tradición local que me ha encantado conocer y que me ha parecido escalofriante. ⤵️
❄️ "Los Krampus castigan a los malos y expulsan a los espíritus malignos. Los cargan sobre sí mismos." ❄️
Las continuas referencias a mi escritor favorito, que no es otro que Stephen King 🖤, son otro elemento que me ha sacado más de una sonrisa.
Pero el final ha sido la gran losa de esta novela. Demasiado anticlimático y lacrimógeno para mi gusto, nada que ver con el tono anterior y la atmósfera tan buena que había creado en torno a los Dolomitas, tanto por su historia (en gran parte desconocida para mi) como por sus leyendas.
Además de esa sensación continua de que hay cosas, demasiadas para mi gusto, que no han encajado del todo bien, las he sentido forzadas o no quedan del todo claras.
Una pena, aunque redondeo al alza mi valoración global porque la mayor parte de la novela me ha tenido en vilo, con algunos altibajos en el ritmo pero que consigue solventar con creces gracias a esas poderosas imágenes que logran trasladarte a esa fría y remota región.
Con ese velo de misterio que cubre cada página, de no saber qué es real y qué no. Este es uno de los aspectos que más me han gustado.
En resumen, "La sustancia del mal" da justo lo que pretende, y no es otra cosa que el más puro entretenimiento, bien aderezado con toques de misterio, alguna situación cómica y, por qué no, también sus momentos tiernos que son los que más me han desentonado, donde su punto más notable es, sin duda alguna, la magnífica atmósfera que consigue crear.
¿Y qué me dicen de esa sugerente portada?
Con La Bestia acechando 👀
¿Qué habrá de cierto en todo lo que se cuenta sobre esa inhóspita región?
¿Te atreves a preparar la maleta y a adentrarte en esta región tan singular?
Te aseguro que el viaje valdrá la pena 🤍
❄️ "No creo en los cuentos de hadas, ni tampoco en los monstruos debajo de la cama o en que la Tierra sea plana.
Pero estoy segura de que el Bletterbach es un lugar maldito, como estoy segura de que fumar es malo. Ha habido demasiados muertos ahí. Pastores que desaparecen en la nada. Leñadores que hablan de extrañas luces y de señales aún más peregrinas. Leyendas, mitos, fuegos fatuos. Puedes verlo como prefieras, pero hasta detrás de la leyenda más absurda hay un pequeño fondo de verdad." ❄️
⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️
https://www.facebook.com/LaLocadelosL... 💀🖤📚
November 15, 2017
Initially, something wasn’t sitting with me quite right. I decided to give it my usual fifty pages but then I continued to read and realized that it just has a very slow start but picks up momentum. The narrator, a documentary film maker called Salinger, moves his small family from New York to his wife’s hometown in the Dolomite mountains of Northeastern Italy where the inhabitants are more Austrian than Italian. Salinger has a tragic accident and suffers from PTSD as a result. He learns about three students who were gruesomely murdered in 1985 at the Bletterbach Gorge. These murders were never solved so as a way of overcoming his trauma Salinger goes on a mission to create a documentary film by solving these horrifying crimes. This is no easy task for an outsider living in a reticent, close knit community. And off we go!
Salinger is a flawed but self aware character and his relationship with his daughter is endearing although this “precocious” five year old comes across as a miniature adult. Speaking of flaws there are a few scenes that could have been cut by an editor with a sharp blue pencil. On the positive side, the Bletterbach Gorge becomes a character and positively exudes evil. And, the ending surprised me.
Salinger is a flawed but self aware character and his relationship with his daughter is endearing although this “precocious” five year old comes across as a miniature adult. Speaking of flaws there are a few scenes that could have been cut by an editor with a sharp blue pencil. On the positive side, the Bletterbach Gorge becomes a character and positively exudes evil. And, the ending surprised me.
December 28, 2017
I was really looking forward to this book because I’d seen loads of great reviews for it, unfortunately I did not enjoy this for a number of reasons… let me explain.
I want to start off this review on a positive note. I did initially enjoy this book. It was slow to take off and the accident in the Bletterbach was gone in seconds (when it seemed like such an important part of the plot!) but the mystery of the years old Bletterbach killings did grab my interest quite quickly and I was looking forward to knowing what the hell happened. Unfortunately, that’s where the good things I have to say end.
This book was so ridiculously drawn out and slow, it really couldn’t grab my attention for very long. I would read about 30 pages and then put it down because I was so bored by all the tedious, pointless descriptions and scene that weren’t necessary to progress the plot. Most of this novel was conversations between two people, that 90% of the time ended with no further information or revelations to the mystery. Then, the bits that weren’t people talking were extremely long, often times overly scientifics bit of information that I think were meant to be eye-opening and exciting, but instead they often confused me and were extremely boring to read.
The writing in this one was also a little weird. I always find I have a bit of trouble with translated books – they feel clunky to read – and this one felt just the same. The conversations that were had between people felt forced and unrealistic most of the time and there was no atmosphere whatsoever. When Salinger was down in the Bletterbach before the accident, there was no nail-biting edge of the seat moment, and again, when he was experiencing his panic attacks, these was no tension or feeling of claustrophobia. I was hoping this was going to give me the same creeped out, terrified feelings that The White Road did, but it let me down.
I thought that maybe while I was being put to sleep by the slow moving story, I might enjoy the characters, however I was disappointed by those too. More specifically, by Salinger, our main character. I hated him. I really, really hated him. He didn’t progress as a character after everything he had been through and no matter how many times his wife came to him angry and distraught at what he was doing. Throughout the novel he was just an awful person, always thinking about throwing a punch and being inconsiderate to other people. There really was nothing nice about him. And then the other characters in the story played such small parts that we really didn’t get to know them very well. Even Werner who seemed to play an important part of the story didn’t get much “screen” time.
In the end, I skim read the last 100 pages of this novel! I’m still counting it as a full read because I pushed myself through t h r e e h u n d r e d tedious pages. The conclusion of the mystery was disappointing to say the least and I’m glad I didn’t attempt to read the rest of the story.
Overall, I really didn’t enjoy this book, apart from maybe the first 50 pages. I wouldn’t recommend this one, I think there are plenty of better similar books out there that you could pick up instead.
Thanks to Bookbridgr and MacLehose Press for providing me a copy in exchange for an honest review. I’m just sorry I didn’t enjoy it!
I want to start off this review on a positive note. I did initially enjoy this book. It was slow to take off and the accident in the Bletterbach was gone in seconds (when it seemed like such an important part of the plot!) but the mystery of the years old Bletterbach killings did grab my interest quite quickly and I was looking forward to knowing what the hell happened. Unfortunately, that’s where the good things I have to say end.
This book was so ridiculously drawn out and slow, it really couldn’t grab my attention for very long. I would read about 30 pages and then put it down because I was so bored by all the tedious, pointless descriptions and scene that weren’t necessary to progress the plot. Most of this novel was conversations between two people, that 90% of the time ended with no further information or revelations to the mystery. Then, the bits that weren’t people talking were extremely long, often times overly scientifics bit of information that I think were meant to be eye-opening and exciting, but instead they often confused me and were extremely boring to read.
The writing in this one was also a little weird. I always find I have a bit of trouble with translated books – they feel clunky to read – and this one felt just the same. The conversations that were had between people felt forced and unrealistic most of the time and there was no atmosphere whatsoever. When Salinger was down in the Bletterbach before the accident, there was no nail-biting edge of the seat moment, and again, when he was experiencing his panic attacks, these was no tension or feeling of claustrophobia. I was hoping this was going to give me the same creeped out, terrified feelings that The White Road did, but it let me down.
I thought that maybe while I was being put to sleep by the slow moving story, I might enjoy the characters, however I was disappointed by those too. More specifically, by Salinger, our main character. I hated him. I really, really hated him. He didn’t progress as a character after everything he had been through and no matter how many times his wife came to him angry and distraught at what he was doing. Throughout the novel he was just an awful person, always thinking about throwing a punch and being inconsiderate to other people. There really was nothing nice about him. And then the other characters in the story played such small parts that we really didn’t get to know them very well. Even Werner who seemed to play an important part of the story didn’t get much “screen” time.
In the end, I skim read the last 100 pages of this novel! I’m still counting it as a full read because I pushed myself through t h r e e h u n d r e d tedious pages. The conclusion of the mystery was disappointing to say the least and I’m glad I didn’t attempt to read the rest of the story.
Overall, I really didn’t enjoy this book, apart from maybe the first 50 pages. I wouldn’t recommend this one, I think there are plenty of better similar books out there that you could pick up instead.
Thanks to Bookbridgr and MacLehose Press for providing me a copy in exchange for an honest review. I’m just sorry I didn’t enjoy it!
February 28, 2018
4 stars
This is a somewhat unusual book. It opens with an American tv documentary producer, Salinger, following an alpine rescue crew in the Italian Dolomite Alps and nearly getting killed by taking risks. Then we follow him as he recovers from the psychological trauma and he decides he has to occupy his time by investigating some unsolved murders in 1985, over 30 years ago. He is dealing with nightmares and flashbacks to his time in the ice crevasse with a sound in his brain that he calls "The Beast."
He gradually pieces together what happened that day, but it is not until the end that the real killer is revealed. There are a few red herrings and sometimes the story bogged down in his self pity. He almost destroys his marriage and almost becomes an alcoholic in the process. However, I did like the story and the ending which had a paranormal twist. The translation was very good.
One quote, Salinger on documentary publicist: "I'll give him this: Total Asshole knew his job. He created a storm that, unfortunately, broke on my nose.
Literally."
I thank LibraryThing, Harper, and Luca D'Andrea for sending me this book.
This is a somewhat unusual book. It opens with an American tv documentary producer, Salinger, following an alpine rescue crew in the Italian Dolomite Alps and nearly getting killed by taking risks. Then we follow him as he recovers from the psychological trauma and he decides he has to occupy his time by investigating some unsolved murders in 1985, over 30 years ago. He is dealing with nightmares and flashbacks to his time in the ice crevasse with a sound in his brain that he calls "The Beast."
He gradually pieces together what happened that day, but it is not until the end that the real killer is revealed. There are a few red herrings and sometimes the story bogged down in his self pity. He almost destroys his marriage and almost becomes an alcoholic in the process. However, I did like the story and the ending which had a paranormal twist. The translation was very good.
One quote, Salinger on documentary publicist: "I'll give him this: Total Asshole knew his job. He created a storm that, unfortunately, broke on my nose.
Literally."
I thank LibraryThing, Harper, and Luca D'Andrea for sending me this book.
September 3, 2017
No sé qué nota darle. Me ha dejado flipando. No podía soltar el libro en ningún momento y ha sido leer, leer y leer...pero ese final? WTF? No quiero hacer spoilers...pero no me ha parecido creíble. En mi opinión tal y cómo iba la historia no iba mal encaminada, pero ese giro en la trama...no. No me ha convencido.
September 19, 2019
Muy buen libro, excelente ambientación y ritmo, este formato de capítulos cortos la vuelve una lectura rápida a pesar de ser extenso.
Tiene pocas valoraciones y creo que se le debe dar la oportunidad, a mí me ha sorprendido.
Tiene pocas valoraciones y creo que se le debe dar la oportunidad, a mí me ha sorprendido.
July 14, 2016
All'inizio mi sconcerta il fatto che il personaggio principale, e io narrante della vicenda, parlasse esattamente come un personaggio di un film americano doppiato, o di un romanzo americano tradotto con insolita aderenza. Mentre leggevo mi venivano in mente le frasi in inglese che stavano sotto quelle che leggevo.
Poi ripensandoci giungo alla conclusione che, nonostante la vicenda sia ambientata in un paesetto del Tirolo italiano, il personaggio che narra è effettivamente uno sceneggiatore americano che ha sposato una ragazza tirolese conosciuta negli Stati Uniti, e che è venuto in provincia di Bolzano a riposarsi dopo le fatiche di una serie di Real TV sui roadie dei gruppi rock. Insomma, ci può stare.
Dopodiché al narratore capita un brutto incidente di montagna, e già lì il mio interesse per le vette innevate (e non) si sveglia. Poi, mentre il narratore cerca di riprendersi dallo shock subito, emerge un vecchio fatto di sangue, una strage efferata, una vera macelleria avvenuta più di vent'anni prima in una valle tirolese nei pressi del paese di sua moglie.
E qui parte un thrillerone ben congegnato, con ritmo spietato e avvolgente, che non ti consente di mollarlo, costi quel che costi.
Arrivato a finirlo in due giorni, il mio parere è: Quando faranno la serie televisiva? Questo, in mano al regista giusto, girato dove sono ambientati i fatti (alcune località sono immaginarie ma tutto il resto è il vero Tirolo come deve essere), con gli attori giusti, sarebbe la risposta italiana a Fargo e True Detective.
Ma già, noi non abbiamo né HBO né Netflix. Abbiamo Rai e Mediaset, e i poliziotteschi agiografici.
Vabbè, leggetevi il romanzo, che è meglio.
Poi ripensandoci giungo alla conclusione che, nonostante la vicenda sia ambientata in un paesetto del Tirolo italiano, il personaggio che narra è effettivamente uno sceneggiatore americano che ha sposato una ragazza tirolese conosciuta negli Stati Uniti, e che è venuto in provincia di Bolzano a riposarsi dopo le fatiche di una serie di Real TV sui roadie dei gruppi rock. Insomma, ci può stare.
Dopodiché al narratore capita un brutto incidente di montagna, e già lì il mio interesse per le vette innevate (e non) si sveglia. Poi, mentre il narratore cerca di riprendersi dallo shock subito, emerge un vecchio fatto di sangue, una strage efferata, una vera macelleria avvenuta più di vent'anni prima in una valle tirolese nei pressi del paese di sua moglie.
E qui parte un thrillerone ben congegnato, con ritmo spietato e avvolgente, che non ti consente di mollarlo, costi quel che costi.
Arrivato a finirlo in due giorni, il mio parere è: Quando faranno la serie televisiva? Questo, in mano al regista giusto, girato dove sono ambientati i fatti (alcune località sono immaginarie ma tutto il resto è il vero Tirolo come deve essere), con gli attori giusti, sarebbe la risposta italiana a Fargo e True Detective.
Ma già, noi non abbiamo né HBO né Netflix. Abbiamo Rai e Mediaset, e i poliziotteschi agiografici.
Vabbè, leggetevi il romanzo, che è meglio.
July 24, 2017
a very good story for when you are stuck at home with a coldy flu.
February 9, 2018
5/10
What better time to read a book set in a mountainous region than when you’re actually in the mountains yourself? Admittedly it was a different region but still, what’s the difference between the Alps and the Dolomites. They’ve both got pointy bits and bad weather.
I was hoping for an interesting mystery set in a small mountain village set over the decades but what I got felt like a cheap copy of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, only this wasn’t written anywhere near as well as that. The murder mystery is mildly interesting and teased early on as you learn about the narrator’s history and how he’s in the mountains and a terrible accident he was in. Then it just becomes a rinse and repeat of; main character looks into something new, wife/local/angry fake policeman tell him to stop, promises to stop, main character can’t help himself and then….looks into something new.
I grew tired of it by the end and was happy to just find out who it was even though it was revealed a couple of times to be different people only for a Scooby Doo type finally. I truly think they’d have got away with it if it wasn’t for those meddling kids! The characters were nothing special and never fleshed out enough to care, the writing was pretty weak overall but not the worst so did make it a quick read. Some of this could be down to the translation but that’s probably doing the translator a disservice as I’d never be able to read a book in Italian!
I received a free copy for review from NetGalley
What better time to read a book set in a mountainous region than when you’re actually in the mountains yourself? Admittedly it was a different region but still, what’s the difference between the Alps and the Dolomites. They’ve both got pointy bits and bad weather.
I was hoping for an interesting mystery set in a small mountain village set over the decades but what I got felt like a cheap copy of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, only this wasn’t written anywhere near as well as that. The murder mystery is mildly interesting and teased early on as you learn about the narrator’s history and how he’s in the mountains and a terrible accident he was in. Then it just becomes a rinse and repeat of; main character looks into something new, wife/local/angry fake policeman tell him to stop, promises to stop, main character can’t help himself and then….looks into something new.
I grew tired of it by the end and was happy to just find out who it was even though it was revealed a couple of times to be different people only for a Scooby Doo type finally. I truly think they’d have got away with it if it wasn’t for those meddling kids! The characters were nothing special and never fleshed out enough to care, the writing was pretty weak overall but not the worst so did make it a quick read. Some of this could be down to the translation but that’s probably doing the translator a disservice as I’d never be able to read a book in Italian!
I received a free copy for review from NetGalley
June 23, 2017
Es un thriller, lento, contenido, que se va liberando página a página, poco a poco, Esto podría sonar a que es lento, pero es que en realidad no lo es, la palabra adecuada es contenido, te exige paciencia; bien escrito y delineado, lo mejor de todo es la forma de estar escrito, que te va dando poco a poco, a gotas la información sobre un asesinato ocurrido mas de 20 años antes.
Es verdad que la historia contiene hechos y situaciones que no tienen mucho sentido con el quid de la historia, la pisque del protagonista, la forma de investigar, la obsesión que me pareció sin sentido, mas bien las razones de esa obsesión, la investigación con connotaciones absolutamente irreales que pueden no venir al caso, en fin que podría encontrarle muchos fallos a la historia, pero no puedo evitar decir que esta escrita de tal modo que es una delicia, me mantuvo atrapada, todo el tiempo, en ningún momento me sentí aburrida o cansada de esperar a que se me revelara que es lo que había sucedido, la historia me mantuvo inmersa en ella.
Lo mejor de este libro, su estilo narrativo y si lo recomiendo porque a pesar de los pesares lo he disfrutado mucho y me ha tenido completamente enganchada.
Es verdad que la historia contiene hechos y situaciones que no tienen mucho sentido con el quid de la historia, la pisque del protagonista, la forma de investigar, la obsesión que me pareció sin sentido, mas bien las razones de esa obsesión, la investigación con connotaciones absolutamente irreales que pueden no venir al caso, en fin que podría encontrarle muchos fallos a la historia, pero no puedo evitar decir que esta escrita de tal modo que es una delicia, me mantuvo atrapada, todo el tiempo, en ningún momento me sentí aburrida o cansada de esperar a que se me revelara que es lo que había sucedido, la historia me mantuvo inmersa en ella.
Lo mejor de este libro, su estilo narrativo y si lo recomiendo porque a pesar de los pesares lo he disfrutado mucho y me ha tenido completamente enganchada.
August 29, 2017
Very slow to get going. Was slowly being built to a big reveal but was let down by the end. Could've been the translation that made it seem a little long and boring in places.
July 19, 2022
3,5 ⭐️
‘La sustancia del mar’ me acompañó unos días antes de dormir. Para ese momento busco historias entretenidas y fáciles de leer, que no exigen el 100% de mi atención lectora, porque, lo dicho, el objetivo es dormirme relativamente pronto. Así, a menudo exploto mi pasión por la novela negra y los thrillers por la noche, porque cumplen muy bien esas condiciones. Como tal, y para ese propósito, esta novela me ha gustado mucho.
Jeremiah Salinger es un creador de realities estadounidense que acaba mudándose por amor a una pequeña localidad en los Dolomitas (Alpes italianos). Allí, sufrirá un terrible accidente y conocerá el poder y el mal que esconde la montaña. Además, descubrirá que décadas atrás se produjo en la zona un brutal y sangriento crimen múltiple que nunca se pudo resolver. Gran parte del pueblo, incluido su suegro, permanece aún tocados por ese suceso que obsesionará a Salinger.
Una novela negra que se sale de lo típico al no estar enfocada desde el punto de vista de una investigación policial y donde la montaña y todo su folklore se convierten en un personaje más. La historia está contada sin prisas, de hecho, es bastante larga, yo al leerla en digital no me di cuenta del “tochal” que tenía entre manos hasta ver que leía y leía y no se acababa. Cosa que no me importó porque estuve muy enchufada a la historia desde el principio. Pero, en cualquier caso, no es un libro para leer con prisa, no está lleno de tensión constante (y menos mal, porque con lo larga que es, te juegas el infarto) pero sí que tiene picos, como las montañas, de thriller y nervios a flor de piel, y valles, donde la historia pasea y coge fuerzas.
Quiero decir, si no entras de lleno en la historia, puede ser que sienta que partes interminables, pero tengo que decir que yo la disfruté de pe a pa. Esa tranquilidad hace que la atmosfera del pueblo y la montaña brille, la historia cobre profundidad y los personajes y sus actos sentidos, y por supuesto, la investigación en sí. Con un crimen truculento y sangriento, que siempre me gusta y una resolución sin cabos sueltos.
Una novela súper entretenida, llena de toques originales y bien escrita. Muchos nos tiramos a por novelas así en verano, ¡si os animáis con esta ya me contaréis!
‘La sustancia del mar’ me acompañó unos días antes de dormir. Para ese momento busco historias entretenidas y fáciles de leer, que no exigen el 100% de mi atención lectora, porque, lo dicho, el objetivo es dormirme relativamente pronto. Así, a menudo exploto mi pasión por la novela negra y los thrillers por la noche, porque cumplen muy bien esas condiciones. Como tal, y para ese propósito, esta novela me ha gustado mucho.
Jeremiah Salinger es un creador de realities estadounidense que acaba mudándose por amor a una pequeña localidad en los Dolomitas (Alpes italianos). Allí, sufrirá un terrible accidente y conocerá el poder y el mal que esconde la montaña. Además, descubrirá que décadas atrás se produjo en la zona un brutal y sangriento crimen múltiple que nunca se pudo resolver. Gran parte del pueblo, incluido su suegro, permanece aún tocados por ese suceso que obsesionará a Salinger.
Una novela negra que se sale de lo típico al no estar enfocada desde el punto de vista de una investigación policial y donde la montaña y todo su folklore se convierten en un personaje más. La historia está contada sin prisas, de hecho, es bastante larga, yo al leerla en digital no me di cuenta del “tochal” que tenía entre manos hasta ver que leía y leía y no se acababa. Cosa que no me importó porque estuve muy enchufada a la historia desde el principio. Pero, en cualquier caso, no es un libro para leer con prisa, no está lleno de tensión constante (y menos mal, porque con lo larga que es, te juegas el infarto) pero sí que tiene picos, como las montañas, de thriller y nervios a flor de piel, y valles, donde la historia pasea y coge fuerzas.
Quiero decir, si no entras de lleno en la historia, puede ser que sienta que partes interminables, pero tengo que decir que yo la disfruté de pe a pa. Esa tranquilidad hace que la atmosfera del pueblo y la montaña brille, la historia cobre profundidad y los personajes y sus actos sentidos, y por supuesto, la investigación en sí. Con un crimen truculento y sangriento, que siempre me gusta y una resolución sin cabos sueltos.
Una novela súper entretenida, llena de toques originales y bien escrita. Muchos nos tiramos a por novelas así en verano, ¡si os animáis con esta ya me contaréis!
January 29, 2018
Jan 2018 My Book Box selection.
D'Andrea does a very good job with setting and atmosphere. It's just that the women are either virgins or whores, soley there to be a plot point for the men in the book. The narrator's wife does not have a full fledged conversation with him until half way in, and seems solely there to be servicing the main character, who does not fly as an American. What American would describe his friend's face as being bruised so it looked like the Scottish flag? And the big reveal makes no sense on so many different levels.
D'Andrea does a very good job with setting and atmosphere. It's just that the women are either virgins or whores, soley there to be a plot point for the men in the book. The narrator's wife does not have a full fledged conversation with him until half way in, and seems solely there to be servicing the main character, who does not fly as an American. What American would describe his friend's face as being bruised so it looked like the Scottish flag? And the big reveal makes no sense on so many different levels.
December 11, 2017
3,5 ⭐️
September 9, 2018
Snijegom prekriveni planinski vrhovi iz daljine izgledaju tako mirno i spokojno, i tek kad im se približimo shvatimo koliko su naoštreni ti ledeni zubi koji često pod sobom skrivaju nezamislive tajne.
Prst sudbine htio je da Jeremiah Salinger posjeti Južni Tirol na prijedlog svoje supruge, koja potječe iz malog mjestašca Siebenhoch, i priušti si miran obiteljski odmor. Ali Jeremiah je nemiran duh, željan stvaranja i istraživanja.
Jeremiah i njegov partner Mike odavno su postali svjesni da neće postati svjetski poznate redateljske face, što im je bila izvorna zamisao dok su studirali režiju. Njih dvojica sada su pronašli svoju priču, tj. priče drugih. Fokusirali su se na neopjevane junake, ljude koji nikada ne dođu pod svjetla reflektora iako su svojim radom to i više nego zaslužili.
Tako Jeremiah i Mike dolaze do ideje o snimanju dokumentarca o ljudima i njihovoj službi spašavanja koji svaki dan riskiraju živote na okrutnim i nemilosrdnim dolomitskim stijenama. O nadljudskim naporima i strašnim uvjetima rada Jeremiah informacije ima iz prve ruke, svog punca, koji je jedan od osnivača te službe spašavanja. Jeremiah ni u najgorim noćnim morama nije mogao sanjati da će i on ubrzo postati potreban pomoći te službe kada se, pri snimanju scene spašavanja, dogodi stravična nesreća u kojoj je više ljudi izgubilo živote. Nesreća koju je samo on preživio.
Jeremiah se jako teško nosi s posljedicama nesreće, a uz njegovu suprugu, jedina utjeha mu je voljena kći Clara, koja je opsjednuta fosilima. I dok posjećuju Bletterbach, klanac bogat fosilnim ostacima, Jeremiah načuje priču o stravičnom pokolju koji je počinjen davne 1985. godine u kojem su život izgubile tri mlade osobe, a čiji počinitelj nikad nije pronađen.
Istraživač u Jeremiahu još jednom luduje. Ipak, kako uopće istražiti jedno tako davno počinjeno ubojstvo s toliko prepreka na putu?
Luca D'Andrea je, nakon objave Srži zla, s razlogom uspoređivan s nekim od svjetski poznatih autora trilera. Vjerujem da jedan od razloga činjenica da je kroz Srž zla uspio izgraditi atmosferu koja je često manjkava u mnogo razvikanijim i hvaljenijim svjetskim hitovima.
Ambijent u koji je autor smjestio radnju svog romana možda nije jedinstven, ali svakako nije ni uobičajen. I dok u zadnje vrijeme uglavnom čitamo psihološke trilere koji su smješteni u urbane sredine u kojima postoji na milijune mogućnosti za nevolju i isto toliko načina da se te nevolje riješe, s prirodom je, zapravo, mnogo jednostavnije.
Zezneš, umireš!
Ipak, Jeremiah je imao tu rijetku sreću da je odolio smrtonosnom ledenom poljupcu planine. Poljubac koji ostavlja puno dublji trag od onog na ovratniku košulje. Ali ljubavnica koja je ostavila ovaj trag ne planira opustiti svoj stisak samo tako. Planina je u ovom romanu personificirana, dobila je svoju ulogu prijetnje i pratnje na svakom Jeremiahovom koraku, i kao da pokušava ispraviti pogrešku zbog koje joj je prvi put izmaknuo između prstiju.
Autor je odlučio dobro namučiti glavnog lika svog romana, jer nemilosrdna planina nije jedina prepreka na njegovom putu.
Siebenhoch je mala sredina u kojoj se svi sugrađani međusobno jako dobro poznaju, imaju svoj zatvoren krug u koji pridošlice jako teško ulaze. Osim što trpi prijeke poglede kao pridošlica, Jeremiah se nosi i osjećajem krivnje koji mu okolina pokušava nametnuti, a sve zbog prirode njegovog posla i činjenice da je jedini preživio nesreću koja je odnijela više života iz tog grada. Negostoljubljivost pojedinih stanovnika samo potvrđuje njegovu teoriju kako se određene tajne čuvaju zubima i noktima, a njihovo otkrivanje neće biti nimalo ugodno.
Uz sve navedeno, Jeremiah ima još jednog velikog protivnika. Samog sebe. Nesreća je ostavila velikog traga na Jeremiaha. Na rame mu smješta Zvijer koja ga prati na svakom njegovom koraku i čeka njegov pogrešan korak. Ta Zvijer je planina i zima, ali istovremeno i sam Jeremiah. Jedini način i put koji vidi kako bi otresao tu Zvijer s ramena je misterija s kojom se sasvim slučajno upoznao. Bez obzira na to što time prijeti sa zemljom sravniti sve što je gradio sa svojom obitelji Jeremiah je odlučan, kao da mu život ovisi o tome, riješiti misteriju koja će uzburkati davno ispod snijega uspavane duhove.
Sve navedeno autor je začinio blagim koketiranjem s nadnaravnim, dovoljno da razigra našu maštu, ali zadržavajući nas u okvirima realnog.
Srž zla na više je razina zanimljiv triler. To je priča o sukobu čovjeka i prirode, sukobu čovjeka i njegovog okruženja, ali i sukobu čovjeka sa samim sobom. Sukobi koji drže prste zalijepljene za ovu knjigu u iščekivanju razotkrivanja tajni i nevjerojatnih ishoda koji se skrivaju na njenim posljednjim stranicama.
Prst sudbine htio je da Jeremiah Salinger posjeti Južni Tirol na prijedlog svoje supruge, koja potječe iz malog mjestašca Siebenhoch, i priušti si miran obiteljski odmor. Ali Jeremiah je nemiran duh, željan stvaranja i istraživanja.
Jeremiah i njegov partner Mike odavno su postali svjesni da neće postati svjetski poznate redateljske face, što im je bila izvorna zamisao dok su studirali režiju. Njih dvojica sada su pronašli svoju priču, tj. priče drugih. Fokusirali su se na neopjevane junake, ljude koji nikada ne dođu pod svjetla reflektora iako su svojim radom to i više nego zaslužili.
Tako Jeremiah i Mike dolaze do ideje o snimanju dokumentarca o ljudima i njihovoj službi spašavanja koji svaki dan riskiraju živote na okrutnim i nemilosrdnim dolomitskim stijenama. O nadljudskim naporima i strašnim uvjetima rada Jeremiah informacije ima iz prve ruke, svog punca, koji je jedan od osnivača te službe spašavanja. Jeremiah ni u najgorim noćnim morama nije mogao sanjati da će i on ubrzo postati potreban pomoći te službe kada se, pri snimanju scene spašavanja, dogodi stravična nesreća u kojoj je više ljudi izgubilo živote. Nesreća koju je samo on preživio.
Jeremiah se jako teško nosi s posljedicama nesreće, a uz njegovu suprugu, jedina utjeha mu je voljena kći Clara, koja je opsjednuta fosilima. I dok posjećuju Bletterbach, klanac bogat fosilnim ostacima, Jeremiah načuje priču o stravičnom pokolju koji je počinjen davne 1985. godine u kojem su život izgubile tri mlade osobe, a čiji počinitelj nikad nije pronađen.
Istraživač u Jeremiahu još jednom luduje. Ipak, kako uopće istražiti jedno tako davno počinjeno ubojstvo s toliko prepreka na putu?
Luca D'Andrea je, nakon objave Srži zla, s razlogom uspoređivan s nekim od svjetski poznatih autora trilera. Vjerujem da jedan od razloga činjenica da je kroz Srž zla uspio izgraditi atmosferu koja je često manjkava u mnogo razvikanijim i hvaljenijim svjetskim hitovima.
Ambijent u koji je autor smjestio radnju svog romana možda nije jedinstven, ali svakako nije ni uobičajen. I dok u zadnje vrijeme uglavnom čitamo psihološke trilere koji su smješteni u urbane sredine u kojima postoji na milijune mogućnosti za nevolju i isto toliko načina da se te nevolje riješe, s prirodom je, zapravo, mnogo jednostavnije.
Zezneš, umireš!
Ipak, Jeremiah je imao tu rijetku sreću da je odolio smrtonosnom ledenom poljupcu planine. Poljubac koji ostavlja puno dublji trag od onog na ovratniku košulje. Ali ljubavnica koja je ostavila ovaj trag ne planira opustiti svoj stisak samo tako. Planina je u ovom romanu personificirana, dobila je svoju ulogu prijetnje i pratnje na svakom Jeremiahovom koraku, i kao da pokušava ispraviti pogrešku zbog koje joj je prvi put izmaknuo između prstiju.
Autor je odlučio dobro namučiti glavnog lika svog romana, jer nemilosrdna planina nije jedina prepreka na njegovom putu.
Siebenhoch je mala sredina u kojoj se svi sugrađani međusobno jako dobro poznaju, imaju svoj zatvoren krug u koji pridošlice jako teško ulaze. Osim što trpi prijeke poglede kao pridošlica, Jeremiah se nosi i osjećajem krivnje koji mu okolina pokušava nametnuti, a sve zbog prirode njegovog posla i činjenice da je jedini preživio nesreću koja je odnijela više života iz tog grada. Negostoljubljivost pojedinih stanovnika samo potvrđuje njegovu teoriju kako se određene tajne čuvaju zubima i noktima, a njihovo otkrivanje neće biti nimalo ugodno.
Uz sve navedeno, Jeremiah ima još jednog velikog protivnika. Samog sebe. Nesreća je ostavila velikog traga na Jeremiaha. Na rame mu smješta Zvijer koja ga prati na svakom njegovom koraku i čeka njegov pogrešan korak. Ta Zvijer je planina i zima, ali istovremeno i sam Jeremiah. Jedini način i put koji vidi kako bi otresao tu Zvijer s ramena je misterija s kojom se sasvim slučajno upoznao. Bez obzira na to što time prijeti sa zemljom sravniti sve što je gradio sa svojom obitelji Jeremiah je odlučan, kao da mu život ovisi o tome, riješiti misteriju koja će uzburkati davno ispod snijega uspavane duhove.
Sve navedeno autor je začinio blagim koketiranjem s nadnaravnim, dovoljno da razigra našu maštu, ali zadržavajući nas u okvirima realnog.
Srž zla na više je razina zanimljiv triler. To je priča o sukobu čovjeka i prirode, sukobu čovjeka i njegovog okruženja, ali i sukobu čovjeka sa samim sobom. Sukobi koji drže prste zalijepljene za ovu knjigu u iščekivanju razotkrivanja tajni i nevjerojatnih ishoda koji se skrivaju na njenim posljednjim stranicama.
April 17, 2020
This story is so good! Learned a lot about a place I’m unfamiliar with, and the ending was a surprise! I gave it 4 stars because it took a long time to get to the end, but the story was fascinating.
October 21, 2020
This tense, atmospheric thriller had me jumping at sounds and looking behind me during broad daylight! The depiction of the mountains and weather bordered on personification, almost as if they were another menacing suspect adding to the dark feeling of foreboding. Clues were strewn about like confetti, sprinkled here and there, my brain was constantly reevaluating, jumping from suspect to suspect. I love a brain twister of a mystery. Highly recommend!
July 4, 2017
Los últimos giros y un final totalmente sorprendente e inesperado lo mejor.
Mi reseña completa: http://perdida-entrelibross.blogspot....
Mi reseña completa: http://perdida-entrelibross.blogspot....
April 18, 2022
¿Sabéis ese momento en el que un libro que comenzasteis con cero expectativas os acaba sorprendiendo gratamente? Pues eso es lo que me ha pasado con este libro. Lo empecé porque me llamaba la sinopsis y buscaba algo ligero y entretenido, pero no esperaba mucho. Y la verdad es que me ha sorprendido para bien en muchos aspectos.
A pesar de sus casi 500 páginas, se lee muy rápido. Aparte de tener una letra asequible y la presencia de muchos diálogos que agilizan la lectura, la trama es bastante adictiva. Si bien la primera mitad de la novela se hace algo lenta y parece que la historia no avanza mucho, es a partir de la segunda mitad cuando la trama pisa el acelerador y comienzan a esclarecerse las cosas, con unos giros bastante sorprendentes. Si bien algunas cosas del final no me convencieron del todo, no ensombrecen a la novela en su conjunto. Puede que algunos hechos no me convenza como transcurren, pero todo queda bien atado.
Los personajes me han gustado mucho, desde el protagonista y sus problemas personales que se desarrollan durante la novela hasta los personajes secundarios y sus vidas rurales en ese pequeño pueblo en la región de los Dolomitas.
Hablando de los Dolomitas, lo que sin duda destaco por encima de todo es la capacidad del autor para describir los escenarios y paisajes donde transcurre la acción. Es capaz de describirlos de tal manera que imaginar esas regiones es muy sencillo y así consigue cautivar al lector y envolverlo en esa atmósfera rural que se respira durante toda la novela.
Me ha parecido un libro que cumple con lo que pretende: entretener y mantener al lector pegado a sus páginas hasta el final. El autor ha sido un gran descubrimiento, y ya le tengo echado el ojo a sus otras dos obras publicadas en español y que espero leer pronto.
A pesar de sus casi 500 páginas, se lee muy rápido. Aparte de tener una letra asequible y la presencia de muchos diálogos que agilizan la lectura, la trama es bastante adictiva. Si bien la primera mitad de la novela se hace algo lenta y parece que la historia no avanza mucho, es a partir de la segunda mitad cuando la trama pisa el acelerador y comienzan a esclarecerse las cosas, con unos giros bastante sorprendentes. Si bien algunas cosas del final no me convencieron del todo, no ensombrecen a la novela en su conjunto. Puede que algunos hechos no me convenza como transcurren, pero todo queda bien atado.
Los personajes me han gustado mucho, desde el protagonista y sus problemas personales que se desarrollan durante la novela hasta los personajes secundarios y sus vidas rurales en ese pequeño pueblo en la región de los Dolomitas.
Hablando de los Dolomitas, lo que sin duda destaco por encima de todo es la capacidad del autor para describir los escenarios y paisajes donde transcurre la acción. Es capaz de describirlos de tal manera que imaginar esas regiones es muy sencillo y así consigue cautivar al lector y envolverlo en esa atmósfera rural que se respira durante toda la novela.
Me ha parecido un libro que cumple con lo que pretende: entretener y mantener al lector pegado a sus páginas hasta el final. El autor ha sido un gran descubrimiento, y ya le tengo echado el ojo a sus otras dos obras publicadas en español y que espero leer pronto.
August 23, 2016
Se cercate un thriller, l'avete trovato. Niente di più, ma soprattutto niente di meno. Che non è poco. Insomma, io da un thriller non voglio superbe visioni del mondo, oppure pistolotti ideologici mascherati da indagine, no, io voglio morti, sangue, tensione e voglia di andare avanti per vedere come va a finire. Direi che in questo libro tutto ciò è presente, oltre a un'ambientazione stupenda.
May 28, 2022
La historia está narrada en primera persona protagonizada por Jeremiah Salinger, documentalista estadounidense, separada por diferentes capítulos medianamente largos.
La trama gira en torno a una masacre que hubo en Bletterbach y el enigma que envuelve a los asesinatos que hubieron allí y donde parece que nadie resolvió el misterio. Un tema muy tabú en para los habitantes del pueblo donde Jeremiah y su familia se instalan y por el cual siente la necesidad incontrolable de descubrir la verdad y remover el pasado de unas personas que no se lo pondrán fácil.
En general el ritmo narrativo y las averiguaciones por parte de Jeremiah respecto a lo que ocurrió en esas montañas 30 años atrás son lentas y pausadas pero eso no provocó que la lectura se me hiciera pesada, ni siquiera lenta o aburrida. Gracias a la pluma de Luca conseguí leer con ganas y un gran ritmo.
Lo mejor de la historia que nos trae Luca son los personajes que componen la historia, Jeremiah junto a su mujer Annelise y su hija Clara. La relación entre los tres es genial pero es que la de Clara con su padre no pudo ser más tierna ni me pudo gustar más. Los diálogos entre ellos y ese juego de palabras que se traen me pareció precioso y muy emotivo a pesar de no aportar nada a la historia principal, simplemente hacernos empatizar.
Todo el misterio que envuelve a la masacre de Bletterbach me mantuvo en vilo y constantemente sospechando y haciendo mil teorías para poder intentar adivinar qué es lo que pudo haber pasado. Toda esta investigación realizada por parte de Jeremiah a través de conversaciones con los diferentes habitantes del pueblo está muy bien llevada y dirigida.
Lo mejor fueron los giros argumentales finales que hay al ir terminando la historia que para nda esperaba ni vi venir. La resolución del misterio tampoco me la llegué a imaginar nunca por lo que consiguió sorprenderme mucho y para bien.
Una historia con una mezcla de thriller y ciencia ficción que disfruté mucho y que recomiendo todavía más porque tenéis que conocer a Jeremiah, Clara y Annelise.
La trama gira en torno a una masacre que hubo en Bletterbach y el enigma que envuelve a los asesinatos que hubieron allí y donde parece que nadie resolvió el misterio. Un tema muy tabú en para los habitantes del pueblo donde Jeremiah y su familia se instalan y por el cual siente la necesidad incontrolable de descubrir la verdad y remover el pasado de unas personas que no se lo pondrán fácil.
En general el ritmo narrativo y las averiguaciones por parte de Jeremiah respecto a lo que ocurrió en esas montañas 30 años atrás son lentas y pausadas pero eso no provocó que la lectura se me hiciera pesada, ni siquiera lenta o aburrida. Gracias a la pluma de Luca conseguí leer con ganas y un gran ritmo.
Lo mejor de la historia que nos trae Luca son los personajes que componen la historia, Jeremiah junto a su mujer Annelise y su hija Clara. La relación entre los tres es genial pero es que la de Clara con su padre no pudo ser más tierna ni me pudo gustar más. Los diálogos entre ellos y ese juego de palabras que se traen me pareció precioso y muy emotivo a pesar de no aportar nada a la historia principal, simplemente hacernos empatizar.
Todo el misterio que envuelve a la masacre de Bletterbach me mantuvo en vilo y constantemente sospechando y haciendo mil teorías para poder intentar adivinar qué es lo que pudo haber pasado. Toda esta investigación realizada por parte de Jeremiah a través de conversaciones con los diferentes habitantes del pueblo está muy bien llevada y dirigida.
Lo mejor fueron los giros argumentales finales que hay al ir terminando la historia que para nda esperaba ni vi venir. La resolución del misterio tampoco me la llegué a imaginar nunca por lo que consiguió sorprenderme mucho y para bien.
Una historia con una mezcla de thriller y ciencia ficción que disfruté mucho y que recomiendo todavía más porque tenéis que conocer a Jeremiah, Clara y Annelise.
November 5, 2017
Durante buena parte del libro mi calificación iba muy guiada al hecho de que en lo general esta novela es infinitamente superior al Harry Quebert (Carece por completo de la prosa chirriante y la caracterización ridícula de Dicker) y, si bien siempre hay que verla como un thriller de narración sencilla y nula exigencia al lector, era hasta el denouement más o menos inteligente. El problema es un error grandísimo, de kinder, en esta resolución. Un pequeño Deus ex Machina que daría risa de no tratarse de un libro donde se cuentan cosas horrorosas. Entonces como en el beisbol, los errores manifiestos se ponen en la pizarra, la calificación final resulta ser de tres.
Sin embargo, recomiendo mucho leer la novela. Es una lectura de camastro, of course, y no te va a hacer pensar, pero sí te va a traer con el alma en vilo. Parece una copia en ciertos aspectos muy obvios del gustado libro de Dicker (en vez de escritor, se trata de un documentalista que busca desembrollar un crimen del pasado), pero con personajes con motivaciones más inteligentes. En este caso un hombre apellidado Salinger con síndrome de estrés post_traumático (guiño-guiño. I see what you did there, Luca) a punto de destruir a su familia por la obsesión de resolver un crimen.
Otro aspecto que me gustó fue la ambientación en el Tirol. Las descripciones de aspectos montañistas son en su mayoría correctas, salvo una que tuerce el nivel de pericia necesario para rappelear una sima en una cueva (hay un montañista principiante muy picky en mí). Y la descripción de los horrores de la montaña, a la que que correctamente nos recuerdan, no le importa si uno vive o muere; es por demás magistral. En los volcanes de México que he escalado no se oye el silbo (con el clima que me tocó, claro), pero bien que lo he escuchado y bien que me da miedo... uno lo escucha en el Matterhorn de Disneylandia y a mí me remite al miedo que me daba el Yeti animatrónico.
Y hablando del Yeti...
Sin embargo, recomiendo mucho leer la novela. Es una lectura de camastro, of course, y no te va a hacer pensar, pero sí te va a traer con el alma en vilo. Parece una copia en ciertos aspectos muy obvios del gustado libro de Dicker (en vez de escritor, se trata de un documentalista que busca desembrollar un crimen del pasado), pero con personajes con motivaciones más inteligentes. En este caso un hombre apellidado Salinger con síndrome de estrés post_traumático (guiño-guiño. I see what you did there, Luca) a punto de destruir a su familia por la obsesión de resolver un crimen.
Otro aspecto que me gustó fue la ambientación en el Tirol. Las descripciones de aspectos montañistas son en su mayoría correctas, salvo una que tuerce el nivel de pericia necesario para rappelear una sima en una cueva (hay un montañista principiante muy picky en mí). Y la descripción de los horrores de la montaña, a la que que correctamente nos recuerdan, no le importa si uno vive o muere; es por demás magistral. En los volcanes de México que he escalado no se oye el silbo (con el clima que me tocó, claro), pero bien que lo he escuchado y bien que me da miedo... uno lo escucha en el Matterhorn de Disneylandia y a mí me remite al miedo que me daba el Yeti animatrónico.
Y hablando del Yeti...
November 27, 2017
I received my advanced e-copy from Harper Paperbacks.
This was such a moving, beautifully written book. The story takes place in a little town in Northern Italy located near the Bletterbach Canyon. The storyline starts off a bit slow - giving background information to the reader as to how Jeremiah Salinger and his family ended up back in his wife's, Annelise, hometown. Please stick it through though - the mystery of the three deaths that occurred in the Bletterbach is well worth the wait. D'Andrea also throws in the history of the Bletterbach and if you don't know anything or very little about it, you will be thirsty for more information. The writing is detailed and the stringing of words is perfect for the imagination to build on...I pictured everything that was happening and felt for the individuals.
So happy that I was given the opportunity to read this story. This is one that I will definitely be recommending.
This was such a moving, beautifully written book. The story takes place in a little town in Northern Italy located near the Bletterbach Canyon. The storyline starts off a bit slow - giving background information to the reader as to how Jeremiah Salinger and his family ended up back in his wife's, Annelise, hometown. Please stick it through though - the mystery of the three deaths that occurred in the Bletterbach is well worth the wait. D'Andrea also throws in the history of the Bletterbach and if you don't know anything or very little about it, you will be thirsty for more information. The writing is detailed and the stringing of words is perfect for the imagination to build on...I pictured everything that was happening and felt for the individuals.
So happy that I was given the opportunity to read this story. This is one that I will definitely be recommending.
September 21, 2017
A magnificent thriller that made me lose many hours of sleep. The book started off by swerving close to the horror/paranormal genre (for just a chapter) but then becomes a mystery/thriller that is really excellent. By the end of the book Luca D'Andrea will have you jumping at shadows. The mystery was beautifully unfolded and surprises abound. Anyone who enjoyed Michael Koryta's Last Words will love this book. Huge kudos to the translator who did a seamless job. Now I need to go research something discussed in the book because if it's real, I'm never leaving the city again.
July 9, 2017
Lo he pasado bien,lo he devorado,pero...la sensación final de desilusión marca mi valoración. Una entretenida lectura veraniega.
August 23, 2017
"That's how it always is. In the ice, first you hear the voice of the Beast, then you die."
A wild and dangerous place. A gruesome 30-year old murder that has never been solved. A small town with lots of secrets and many different allegiances. A stranger, who becomes obsessed with solving the mystery. What more can you want from a book? D’Andrea skilfully incorporates each of those subjects into his intriguing novel The Mountain, set in the rugged and beautiful region of the Dolomite Mountains in Northern Italy. I used to climb those peaks as a child with my father, so how could I resist a book that would feature both a murder / mystery as well as armchair travel into one of my favourite childhood places! And like our main protagonist, Jeremiah Salinger, I was soon completely obsessed with finding out the answers to the murder mystery, which contained that slight undercurrent of menace and hint of mystique that added an irresistibly creepy air to the story. D’Andrea is obviously very familiar with the setting of his book, and really brought the mountain to life for me. Even if you have never seen those rugged peaks, the book will take you there.
I admit that I picked up the book several times and put it down again, because I found the lead-up to the story quite slow and long-winded, and felt it could have done with some editing. The same goes for some middle passages of the book, which digress into background information that slowed the story down and was not all that relevant to me. However, once I got to the crux of the mystery, I was completely hooked, and D’Andrea surely packed in a few unexpected surprises! I loved the way the author describes the slow unravelling of the main character Salinger, whose obsession with the old mystery soon threatens to destroy his marriage and alienate him from his friends and family. The deeper he delves into the past, the more the mountain seems to fight him, which makes for a wonderfully tense atmosphere. As most characters are tight-lipped and somewhat unreliable narrators, I was never quite sure who I could trust, and all my theories were soon debunked as the story progressed. Personally, I loved the inclusion of the mystical element into the story, as I have found that wild places like the Dolomites have inspired local legends as long as there have been humans inhabiting them. D’Andrea has achieved the perfect balance between reality and legend, always pulling the story back to cold hard facts just at the right time, so I never once had to suspend disbelief. Small town dynamics are astutely portrayed, forming an invaluable part of the mystery, which added depth and credulity.
All in all, whilst a bit bogged down with too much detail at times, The Mountain was an utterly intriguing and compelling mystery which soon captured my interest and kept me reading on avidly, wanting to find out what really happened on that stormy night thirty years ago. And there were quite a few surprises in store along the way! With its irresistible armchair travel component, this was a must-read book for me that I would recommend to anyone looking for a multi-faceted mystery set in a wild and unusual place.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the free electronic copy of this novel and for giving me the opportunity to provide an honest review.
*blog* *facebook* *instagram*
A wild and dangerous place. A gruesome 30-year old murder that has never been solved. A small town with lots of secrets and many different allegiances. A stranger, who becomes obsessed with solving the mystery. What more can you want from a book? D’Andrea skilfully incorporates each of those subjects into his intriguing novel The Mountain, set in the rugged and beautiful region of the Dolomite Mountains in Northern Italy. I used to climb those peaks as a child with my father, so how could I resist a book that would feature both a murder / mystery as well as armchair travel into one of my favourite childhood places! And like our main protagonist, Jeremiah Salinger, I was soon completely obsessed with finding out the answers to the murder mystery, which contained that slight undercurrent of menace and hint of mystique that added an irresistibly creepy air to the story. D’Andrea is obviously very familiar with the setting of his book, and really brought the mountain to life for me. Even if you have never seen those rugged peaks, the book will take you there.
I admit that I picked up the book several times and put it down again, because I found the lead-up to the story quite slow and long-winded, and felt it could have done with some editing. The same goes for some middle passages of the book, which digress into background information that slowed the story down and was not all that relevant to me. However, once I got to the crux of the mystery, I was completely hooked, and D’Andrea surely packed in a few unexpected surprises! I loved the way the author describes the slow unravelling of the main character Salinger, whose obsession with the old mystery soon threatens to destroy his marriage and alienate him from his friends and family. The deeper he delves into the past, the more the mountain seems to fight him, which makes for a wonderfully tense atmosphere. As most characters are tight-lipped and somewhat unreliable narrators, I was never quite sure who I could trust, and all my theories were soon debunked as the story progressed. Personally, I loved the inclusion of the mystical element into the story, as I have found that wild places like the Dolomites have inspired local legends as long as there have been humans inhabiting them. D’Andrea has achieved the perfect balance between reality and legend, always pulling the story back to cold hard facts just at the right time, so I never once had to suspend disbelief. Small town dynamics are astutely portrayed, forming an invaluable part of the mystery, which added depth and credulity.
All in all, whilst a bit bogged down with too much detail at times, The Mountain was an utterly intriguing and compelling mystery which soon captured my interest and kept me reading on avidly, wanting to find out what really happened on that stormy night thirty years ago. And there were quite a few surprises in store along the way! With its irresistible armchair travel component, this was a must-read book for me that I would recommend to anyone looking for a multi-faceted mystery set in a wild and unusual place.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the free electronic copy of this novel and for giving me the opportunity to provide an honest review.
*blog* *facebook* *instagram*
December 5, 2017
OMG, where do I even begin?! What a terrifying, dark, twisted and suspenseful read!
I read this book in the course of a few days, and I had chills and goosebumps all over me the moment I picked up this book and started to read. It was a very new and weird sensation for me. I don’t tend to get scared by a book (I mean come on, they are fiction, right...?!), but this one seriously creeped me out big time! There is just something so raw and real about the writing and the story, it seriously messed with my head. What is real and what is made up? I kept asking myself when I was reading it.
This book is centred around Jeremiah Salinger, a film maker, who is taking holidays with his wife and his daughter back in the Dolomites mountain in Italy. It is here where a tragic accident happened. Jeremiah became depressed and one day he overheard a conversation about an unresolved murder case of three students many years ago. All of a sudden Jeremiah became obsessed with solving this mysterious case...
So this is my reaction while reading this book:
- ok let’s start
- the writing is very fresh so it may take a chapter or two to get used to it
- WTH?! What is happening?
- aww I really like this character
- OMG NO!!! It’s creeping me OUT! Ugh!
- ok what are they up to? Do they have anything to do with the killings?!
- he is not a bad guy
- OMG no, my heart!
- IS IT HIM?! It’s him right?!
- I really want to just go to the last page of this book to see who is the killer!!!
- No can’t be him, can’t be that easy
- NO WAY!!!! WTH!!!!
- told you it can’t be him/her
- wth, WTH!!! I didn’t see it coming at all, AT ALL!!!
- WHAT!!!! NO WAY!
- I am in shocked. What?!
- what?
- I can’t believe it...
- still can’t recover from it....
To say it messed with my head is an understatement! I did go on the internet to search Dolomites, Bletterbach and one certain creature mentioned in the book. Looking at those pics seriously creep me out even more. There are not many graphic scenes in the story but it is the writing that creates such chilling and frightening sensations for the reader. I think this just shows what a great suspenseful read this is and what an amazing story Luca D’Andrea has managed to tell. I am very pleasantly surprised this is his first novel, what an achievement!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, even though it scares me to pieces!
I read this book in the course of a few days, and I had chills and goosebumps all over me the moment I picked up this book and started to read. It was a very new and weird sensation for me. I don’t tend to get scared by a book (I mean come on, they are fiction, right...?!), but this one seriously creeped me out big time! There is just something so raw and real about the writing and the story, it seriously messed with my head. What is real and what is made up? I kept asking myself when I was reading it.
This book is centred around Jeremiah Salinger, a film maker, who is taking holidays with his wife and his daughter back in the Dolomites mountain in Italy. It is here where a tragic accident happened. Jeremiah became depressed and one day he overheard a conversation about an unresolved murder case of three students many years ago. All of a sudden Jeremiah became obsessed with solving this mysterious case...
So this is my reaction while reading this book:
- ok let’s start
- the writing is very fresh so it may take a chapter or two to get used to it
- WTH?! What is happening?
- aww I really like this character
- OMG NO!!! It’s creeping me OUT! Ugh!
- ok what are they up to? Do they have anything to do with the killings?!
- he is not a bad guy
- OMG no, my heart!
- IS IT HIM?! It’s him right?!
- I really want to just go to the last page of this book to see who is the killer!!!
- No can’t be him, can’t be that easy
- NO WAY!!!! WTH!!!!
- told you it can’t be him/her
- wth, WTH!!! I didn’t see it coming at all, AT ALL!!!
- WHAT!!!! NO WAY!
- I am in shocked. What?!
- what?
- I can’t believe it...
- still can’t recover from it....
To say it messed with my head is an understatement! I did go on the internet to search Dolomites, Bletterbach and one certain creature mentioned in the book. Looking at those pics seriously creep me out even more. There are not many graphic scenes in the story but it is the writing that creates such chilling and frightening sensations for the reader. I think this just shows what a great suspenseful read this is and what an amazing story Luca D’Andrea has managed to tell. I am very pleasantly surprised this is his first novel, what an achievement!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, even though it scares me to pieces!
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