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The Wager
Don Giovanni was once the wealthiest and handsomest young man in Messina. Then a tidal wave changed everything. When a well-dressed stranger offers him a magical purse, he knows he shouldn't take it. Only the devil would offer a deal like this, and only a fool would accept.
Don Giovanni is no fool, but he is desperate. He takes the bet: he will not bathe for 3 years, 3 months, and 3 days. Beauty is a small price to pay for worldly wealth, isn't it? Unless he loses the wager―and with it his soul.
Set against the stunning backdrop of ancient Sicily, Donna Jo Napoli's new novel is a powerful tale about discovering what truly matters most.
Don Giovanni is no fool, but he is desperate. He takes the bet: he will not bathe for 3 years, 3 months, and 3 days. Beauty is a small price to pay for worldly wealth, isn't it? Unless he loses the wager―and with it his soul.
Set against the stunning backdrop of ancient Sicily, Donna Jo Napoli's new novel is a powerful tale about discovering what truly matters most.
272 pages, Hardcover
First published April 22, 2010
35 people are currently reading
1043 people want to read
About the author
Donna Jo Napoli
138 books1,112 followersDonna Jo Napoli is both a linguist and a writer of children's and YA fiction. She loves to garden and bake bread, and even dreams of moving to the woods and becoming a naturalist.
At various times her house and yard have been filled with dogs, cats, birds, and rabbits. For thirteen years she had a cat named Taxi, and liked to go outside and call, "Taxi!" to make the neighbors wonder. But dear dear Taxi died in 2009.
She has five children, seven grandchildren, and currently lives outside Philadelphia. She received her BA in mathematics in 1970 and her Ph.D. in Romance Languages and Literatures in 1973, both from Harvard University, then did a postdoctoral year in Linguistics at MIT. She has since taught linguistics at Smith College, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Georgetown University, the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, and Swarthmore College. It was at UM that she earned tenure (in 1981) and became a full professor (in 1984). She has held visiting positions at the University of Queensland (Australia), the University of Geneva (Switzerland), Capital Normal University of Beijing (China), the University of Newcastle (UK), the University of Venice at Ca' Foscari (Italy), and the Siena School for the Liberal Arts (Italy) as well as lectured at the University of Sydney (Australia), Macquarie University (Australia), the University of the Witwatersrand (South Africa), and the University of Stellenbosch (South Africa) and held a fellowship at Trinity College Dublin. In the area of linguistics she has authored, coauthored, edited, or coedited 17 books, ranging from theoretical linguistics to practical matters in language structure and use, including matters of interest to d/Deaf people. She has held grants and fellowships from numerous sources, including the National Science Foundation, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Mellon Foundation, the Sloan Foundation.
At various times her house and yard have been filled with dogs, cats, birds, and rabbits. For thirteen years she had a cat named Taxi, and liked to go outside and call, "Taxi!" to make the neighbors wonder. But dear dear Taxi died in 2009.
She has five children, seven grandchildren, and currently lives outside Philadelphia. She received her BA in mathematics in 1970 and her Ph.D. in Romance Languages and Literatures in 1973, both from Harvard University, then did a postdoctoral year in Linguistics at MIT. She has since taught linguistics at Smith College, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Georgetown University, the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, and Swarthmore College. It was at UM that she earned tenure (in 1981) and became a full professor (in 1984). She has held visiting positions at the University of Queensland (Australia), the University of Geneva (Switzerland), Capital Normal University of Beijing (China), the University of Newcastle (UK), the University of Venice at Ca' Foscari (Italy), and the Siena School for the Liberal Arts (Italy) as well as lectured at the University of Sydney (Australia), Macquarie University (Australia), the University of the Witwatersrand (South Africa), and the University of Stellenbosch (South Africa) and held a fellowship at Trinity College Dublin. In the area of linguistics she has authored, coauthored, edited, or coedited 17 books, ranging from theoretical linguistics to practical matters in language structure and use, including matters of interest to d/Deaf people. She has held grants and fellowships from numerous sources, including the National Science Foundation, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Mellon Foundation, the Sloan Foundation.
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May 30, 2017
2.5 stars
Don Giovanni looked out the CastLe window over the strait that separated the island of Sicily from the mainland. He fingered the fine silk of his shirtsleeves and smiled. “The sea is bluer because it’s mine.”
The Wager is based on an old Italian fairytale I'm completely unfamiliar with. I wasn't thrilled with this novel and I can't really think of any one I would recommend it to.
Unfortunately, despite effective writing and characterisation, the strongest emotion this novel inspired was disgust.
CHARACTERS
Observing those details lent a quiet dignity to the role of outcast. Don Giovanni spent his days watching the world."
The MC is a wealthy young man enjoying the selfish and frivolous life of a wealthy wastrel has he life torn apart when a natural disaster leads to financial ruin. Eventually, he makes a deal with the devil. If he avoids washing for three years, three months and three days, he can keep a purse that produces endless wealth.
The story is light on plot. Focusing almost exclusively on Don Giovanni's slow growth towards generosity, humanity and gratitude.
Other characters include the devil and a few friends made over the course of his three year wager. However, since none of these characters get anything resembling a character arc, or backstory, it seemed pointless to discuss them.
My major criticism of the novel is how paper thin characterisation was. The MC did not seem very bright. The only time I felt any connection with stinky DonDons was when he talked about his loneliness, isolation and sense of decay.
Additionally, . Talk about a let down!
PLOT/ PROSE
The pacing was poor. Although stinky DonDons eventually "learns his lesson" the overall story doesn't do much to keep the reader engaged. I must have found something in it to keep me reading, but thinking back I honestly think it was just the need to know if he succeeded that pushed me thru some very dull, pointless scenes.
The other thing that must be mentioned is how disgusting the descriptions of the MC's body are:
He favored his right foot because of a cut that oozed pus.Each night he’d press out the guck, but by morning it would be swollen again. It simply wouldn’t heal.
Head hair stuck out in long clumpy locks, so thick and snarled it was impossible to disentangle one from the others. Facial hair covered cheeks, protruded over lips, hid any hint of a jawline. It came down past his neck, past the hollow at the base of his throat. All that showed through that furry mess were half-crazed eyes, a grimy nose, and the inner rim of a cracked lower lip.
He held his arms out slightly away from his body because the boils in his armpits hurt if he lowered them.
He picked at the red patch of skin on his forearm. The itching in his head and back and bottom and thighs didn’t even elicit scratching from him anymore, it was so unremitting.
Eww.
The only aspect that kept me engaged was the evocative descriptions of loneliness. Otherwise, it was a pretty dull read, despite decent prose.
THEMES
Pretty obvious themes- responsibility, wealth, human connection .
The original fairytale is too sparse for a full book treatment. I saw glimmers of potential, but felt the size of the story and a protagonist who fails to engage in any self reflection makes this book a disappointing chore to get thru.
Don Giovanni looked out the CastLe window over the strait that separated the island of Sicily from the mainland. He fingered the fine silk of his shirtsleeves and smiled. “The sea is bluer because it’s mine.”
The Wager is based on an old Italian fairytale I'm completely unfamiliar with. I wasn't thrilled with this novel and I can't really think of any one I would recommend it to.
Unfortunately, despite effective writing and characterisation, the strongest emotion this novel inspired was disgust.
CHARACTERS
Observing those details lent a quiet dignity to the role of outcast. Don Giovanni spent his days watching the world."
The MC is a wealthy young man enjoying the selfish and frivolous life of a wealthy wastrel has he life torn apart when a natural disaster leads to financial ruin. Eventually, he makes a deal with the devil. If he avoids washing for three years, three months and three days, he can keep a purse that produces endless wealth.
The story is light on plot. Focusing almost exclusively on Don Giovanni's slow growth towards generosity, humanity and gratitude.
Other characters include the devil and a few friends made over the course of his three year wager. However, since none of these characters get anything resembling a character arc, or backstory, it seemed pointless to discuss them.
My major criticism of the novel is how paper thin characterisation was. The MC did not seem very bright. The only time I felt any connection with stinky DonDons was when he talked about his loneliness, isolation and sense of decay.
Additionally, . Talk about a let down!
PLOT/ PROSE
The pacing was poor. Although stinky DonDons eventually "learns his lesson" the overall story doesn't do much to keep the reader engaged. I must have found something in it to keep me reading, but thinking back I honestly think it was just the need to know if he succeeded that pushed me thru some very dull, pointless scenes.
The other thing that must be mentioned is how disgusting the descriptions of the MC's body are:
He favored his right foot because of a cut that oozed pus.Each night he’d press out the guck, but by morning it would be swollen again. It simply wouldn’t heal.
Head hair stuck out in long clumpy locks, so thick and snarled it was impossible to disentangle one from the others. Facial hair covered cheeks, protruded over lips, hid any hint of a jawline. It came down past his neck, past the hollow at the base of his throat. All that showed through that furry mess were half-crazed eyes, a grimy nose, and the inner rim of a cracked lower lip.
He held his arms out slightly away from his body because the boils in his armpits hurt if he lowered them.
He picked at the red patch of skin on his forearm. The itching in his head and back and bottom and thighs didn’t even elicit scratching from him anymore, it was so unremitting.
Eww.
The only aspect that kept me engaged was the evocative descriptions of loneliness. Otherwise, it was a pretty dull read, despite decent prose.
THEMES
Pretty obvious themes- responsibility, wealth, human connection .
The original fairytale is too sparse for a full book treatment. I saw glimmers of potential, but felt the size of the story and a protagonist who fails to engage in any self reflection makes this book a disappointing chore to get thru.
July 28, 2011
What do you do in the way of personal hygiene?
My bet is that most of you probably shower or bathe at least every other day, if not every day. You wash your hair and your body, maybe your face; depending on personal preference, you may or may not shave. You probably dress in clean clothes, and likely you do laundry at least once every month at the outside. Maybe... minimum one haircut per year. And you probably comb your hair on a regular basis.
If you've been camping, you know what happens when that routine is interrupted. After one day, you're noticeably more greasy; after two or three your hair starts to feel heavy and hotter than usual; etcetera.
Now imagine not doing any of that for more than three years.
That's Don Giovanni's situation in this book and boy, is it ever hellish. Then again, maybe he's lucky, because he's in that fix after making a deal with the devil and at least he hasn't yet lost his soul, right?
The thing is, his soul is constantly in danger. See, here's how it works: the devil got bored, so instead of demanding Giovanni's soul in a straight-up trade, he thought he'd have some fun with the man. There's still a soul in balance, but the devil only gets it if Don Giovanni fails - oh, and the mortal loses the magical money-granting purse that tempted him into this deal in the first place. This raises all sorts of questions. Is swimming washing? Does it count if someone else bathes him? What about getting caught out in the rain - even if he knew the rain was coming and waited for it?
This book could have so easily been moralizing and annoying and everything mature readers get annoyed by, but it was not. The most important thing, I think, is that even from the beginning when he is still wealthy and immature, Don Giovanni is likable enough. This is vital, though, because if he had been absurdly horrid the reader might not have pitied him in his misfortune. If he had mistreated his servants, been absurdly lecherous, or displayed any other major flaws but pride, he couldn't have been a hero. But right after the tsunami that ruined his life, he goes down into the streets of Messina to help with the wounded. He isn't a cad - just a young, privileged man who doesn't understand the world as well as he might. And even when he becomes a beggar, he notices the beauty of the world and he comes to appreciate the simple life. There is goodness in him, and that is what made the book. This is, after all, a fairy tale; it has to end happily, and that means that for the ending to be satisfying, the protagonist has to be sympathetic.
Speaking of fairy tales, there was one 'twist' that won't be much of one to anyone with a passing familiarity with archetypes and such, but it's still sweet.
Now that all that character stuff is out of the way, here is why this book got five stars. And believe me, I didn't want to give them; I've been trying to trim my average rating and so this book had to pry each and every star from my clenched, miserly hands.
It did that by making me think about something that I take for granted. Now, maybe this is a product of the situation I've grown up in, which has been a fortunate one, but I don't put much thought into cleanliness as a privilege, nor into the power it has in a social context. When you don't have to worry that much about being clean and well-groomed, you don't consider the alternative - unless you're Donna Jo Napoli, apparently, who's put a great deal of thought into both the physical and social repercussions of being absolutely filthy. Even though Don Giovanni has unlimited funds, it doesn't make life very easy for him - he doesn't run afoul of any "No Shirt, No Shoes, No Service" signs, but it becomes abundantly clear that money is not the only thing necessary to function in society. It's an interesting contrast, actually - something we rarely think about set next to something we spend far too much time thinking about. Cleanliness is an instinct, as anyone who's ever watched an animal groom themselves knows, but it is also part of human culture.
There was a time when I was hearing about this book literally once a month, and I thought there was no way it would live up to that sort of praise. Well, I was wrong. It really is that good. Highly, highly recommended.
My bet is that most of you probably shower or bathe at least every other day, if not every day. You wash your hair and your body, maybe your face; depending on personal preference, you may or may not shave. You probably dress in clean clothes, and likely you do laundry at least once every month at the outside. Maybe... minimum one haircut per year. And you probably comb your hair on a regular basis.
If you've been camping, you know what happens when that routine is interrupted. After one day, you're noticeably more greasy; after two or three your hair starts to feel heavy and hotter than usual; etcetera.
Now imagine not doing any of that for more than three years.
That's Don Giovanni's situation in this book and boy, is it ever hellish. Then again, maybe he's lucky, because he's in that fix after making a deal with the devil and at least he hasn't yet lost his soul, right?
The thing is, his soul is constantly in danger. See, here's how it works: the devil got bored, so instead of demanding Giovanni's soul in a straight-up trade, he thought he'd have some fun with the man. There's still a soul in balance, but the devil only gets it if Don Giovanni fails - oh, and the mortal loses the magical money-granting purse that tempted him into this deal in the first place. This raises all sorts of questions. Is swimming washing? Does it count if someone else bathes him? What about getting caught out in the rain - even if he knew the rain was coming and waited for it?
This book could have so easily been moralizing and annoying and everything mature readers get annoyed by, but it was not. The most important thing, I think, is that even from the beginning when he is still wealthy and immature, Don Giovanni is likable enough. This is vital, though, because if he had been absurdly horrid the reader might not have pitied him in his misfortune. If he had mistreated his servants, been absurdly lecherous, or displayed any other major flaws but pride, he couldn't have been a hero. But right after the tsunami that ruined his life, he goes down into the streets of Messina to help with the wounded. He isn't a cad - just a young, privileged man who doesn't understand the world as well as he might. And even when he becomes a beggar, he notices the beauty of the world and he comes to appreciate the simple life. There is goodness in him, and that is what made the book. This is, after all, a fairy tale; it has to end happily, and that means that for the ending to be satisfying, the protagonist has to be sympathetic.
Speaking of fairy tales, there was one 'twist' that won't be much of one to anyone with a passing familiarity with archetypes and such, but it's still sweet.
Now that all that character stuff is out of the way, here is why this book got five stars. And believe me, I didn't want to give them; I've been trying to trim my average rating and so this book had to pry each and every star from my clenched, miserly hands.
It did that by making me think about something that I take for granted. Now, maybe this is a product of the situation I've grown up in, which has been a fortunate one, but I don't put much thought into cleanliness as a privilege, nor into the power it has in a social context. When you don't have to worry that much about being clean and well-groomed, you don't consider the alternative - unless you're Donna Jo Napoli, apparently, who's put a great deal of thought into both the physical and social repercussions of being absolutely filthy. Even though Don Giovanni has unlimited funds, it doesn't make life very easy for him - he doesn't run afoul of any "No Shirt, No Shoes, No Service" signs, but it becomes abundantly clear that money is not the only thing necessary to function in society. It's an interesting contrast, actually - something we rarely think about set next to something we spend far too much time thinking about. Cleanliness is an instinct, as anyone who's ever watched an animal groom themselves knows, but it is also part of human culture.
There was a time when I was hearing about this book literally once a month, and I thought there was no way it would live up to that sort of praise. Well, I was wrong. It really is that good. Highly, highly recommended.
January 19, 2012
Don Giovanni de la Fortuna is an Italian story about a man who makes a deal with the devil. If he refrains from cleaning himself for three years, three months, and three days, he can keep a magical purse that will give him all the money he could ever want. If he breaks the no washing rule, his soul is forfeit. Donna Jo Napoli has written a pretty straight forward interpretation set in late 12th century Sicily. (Which is, if I may rant a bit, not ancient. The term you're looking for, dear blurb writer, is medieval. High Middle Ages, to be exact.)
So, what did Napoli do right? Let's start with Giovanni himself. He starts the book as a selfish and thoughtless young man, but he really isn't a bad person. It's obvious nearly right away that there's a good heart in there, even if he is a bit selfish, something of a libertine, and dumb as a box of hair when it comes to money. If he'd started as a bad person, I couldn't have felt sorry for everything he went through, or been so happy when he beats the devil.
I also have to commend Napoli for not shying away from the grim details of what happens when somebody doesn't clean himself at all for years. It isn't pretty. There's a common, mistaken impression that people in Ye Olden Days didn't wash, but the general reaction to Giovanni by ordinary people will quickly dispell that notion. (Not taking fully immersive baths =/= a lack of washing!)
Why only two stars? Well, part of that is because this is a very straight forward retelling. If you read the version I linked to, you have essentially read this book. That's not as bad as it would be in a much more well-known story, of course. The other thing is that, well, Napoli and I are not meant to be. I've read a few of her books over the years, and there's something about her writing style that keeps her work from really clicking with me. I'm not saying she's a bad writer. I think she's a very good one, and I love that she puts a lot of care into writing these books. She's just not the writer for me.
So, what did Napoli do right? Let's start with Giovanni himself. He starts the book as a selfish and thoughtless young man, but he really isn't a bad person. It's obvious nearly right away that there's a good heart in there, even if he is a bit selfish, something of a libertine, and dumb as a box of hair when it comes to money. If he'd started as a bad person, I couldn't have felt sorry for everything he went through, or been so happy when he beats the devil.
I also have to commend Napoli for not shying away from the grim details of what happens when somebody doesn't clean himself at all for years. It isn't pretty. There's a common, mistaken impression that people in Ye Olden Days didn't wash, but the general reaction to Giovanni by ordinary people will quickly dispell that notion. (Not taking fully immersive baths =/= a lack of washing!)
Why only two stars? Well, part of that is because this is a very straight forward retelling. If you read the version I linked to, you have essentially read this book. That's not as bad as it would be in a much more well-known story, of course. The other thing is that, well, Napoli and I are not meant to be. I've read a few of her books over the years, and there's something about her writing style that keeps her work from really clicking with me. I'm not saying she's a bad writer. I think she's a very good one, and I love that she puts a lot of care into writing these books. She's just not the writer for me.
June 19, 2010
Donna Jo Napoli's most recent book is a worthwhile addition to the ever-growing number of fairy/folk tale retellings for teens that have been published over the last decade or so. Napoli herself has written a number of novels in this genre, including YA versions of Rapunzel (Zel), Cinderella (Bound), and Beauty and the Beast (The Beast), among others.
The story of The Wager is likely to be less familiar to most readers than those named above. Don Giovanni, a young Sicilian nobleman, seems to have it all. He's the most handsome young man in the town (and well-known for his skill as a lover), he's well-educated, having been groomed to one day be an advisor to the king, and he's rich. But when an earthquake and tsunami caused by the eruption of Mount Etna destroy not only the city of Messina but all Don Giovanni's wealth, he is reduced to stealing and begging on the streets. When a stranger offers him a magic purse that will produce an infinite number of gold coins, Don Giovanni realizes it must be the devil in disguise. But the devil doesn't want his soul; instead he demands the youth's beauty. For three years, three months, and three days, Don Giovanni must not wash, change clothes, shave, or comb his hair. If he does, he will forfeit his soul. Of course, Don Giovanni accepts the wager.
We 21st century Americans are so obsessed with being clean and free of body odors that I never gave much thought to what would happen if a person didn't wash for an extremely long time. Of course we all know the person would be dirty and smell bad. But I never thought about the other problems that Napoli describes in gruesome detail, such as sores which fill with pus, boils, and insects which work their way inside and on top of his body.
As time passes, no human will come near him as he wanders around different regions of Sicily; only his faithful dog, a stray who attaches himself to Don Giovanni on the road, remains loyal. Giovanni is unable to tell anyone why he refuses to change clothes or bathe, and people think he is mad. But in Palermo, he uses his magic purse to buy a palazzo, where he is able to pay to hire servants to tend to his needs (although they don't come too close). Soon he opens his house to all the needy of the area, and even the king hears of his largesse.
King William seeks Giovanni's help to build a new cathedral--Monreale (an actual cathedral and one of the great monuments of Sicily, whose construction began around this time). In gratitude, the king offers Giovanni the hand of his sister. Can Giovanni beat the devil at his own game--and win the wager, allowing him to wed when his sentence is up...and live happily ever after with his beautiful bride?
The Wager is a re-telling of a traditional Sicilian folk tale, Don Giovanni della Fortuna. While the story is not historical fiction in the strict sense, I would call it "historical fantasy,"; although there are supernatural elements in the story, the author has also set it in a very specific time and place (Sicily in 1169), and filled the tale with the kind of attention to historical detail that we would expect to find in well-written historical fiction.
This book delves into many themes we find in folklore, such as the true meaning and importance of beauty, and whether money really leads to happiness. In many ways this folktale echoes some of the themes of Beauty and the Beast in the transformation of the main character; here, as Giovanni becomes more and more sub-human, through his filth and stench, he becomes more and more human in his compassion, charity, and love for others. In the beginning of the novel, Giovanni is not a very sympathetic character; but as he becomes more and more physically repulsive, to himself and others, the reader is drawn into his story and can't help but empathize with Giovanni's loneliness and hunger for human contact.
One aspect of this novel that I found particularly enjoyable was the manner in which Napoli captures in words the many flavors of Sicily, in all its multicultural splendor, including mouth-watering descriptions of the international Sicilian cuisine, the cacophony of languages, the different religions--Muslim, Christian, and Jewish, and even the landscapes.
While we're not supposed to judge a book by its cover, I'd like to draw attention to the dramatic red and black design of the cover; it's a great fit for the dark nature of this story.
The story of The Wager is likely to be less familiar to most readers than those named above. Don Giovanni, a young Sicilian nobleman, seems to have it all. He's the most handsome young man in the town (and well-known for his skill as a lover), he's well-educated, having been groomed to one day be an advisor to the king, and he's rich. But when an earthquake and tsunami caused by the eruption of Mount Etna destroy not only the city of Messina but all Don Giovanni's wealth, he is reduced to stealing and begging on the streets. When a stranger offers him a magic purse that will produce an infinite number of gold coins, Don Giovanni realizes it must be the devil in disguise. But the devil doesn't want his soul; instead he demands the youth's beauty. For three years, three months, and three days, Don Giovanni must not wash, change clothes, shave, or comb his hair. If he does, he will forfeit his soul. Of course, Don Giovanni accepts the wager.
We 21st century Americans are so obsessed with being clean and free of body odors that I never gave much thought to what would happen if a person didn't wash for an extremely long time. Of course we all know the person would be dirty and smell bad. But I never thought about the other problems that Napoli describes in gruesome detail, such as sores which fill with pus, boils, and insects which work their way inside and on top of his body.
As time passes, no human will come near him as he wanders around different regions of Sicily; only his faithful dog, a stray who attaches himself to Don Giovanni on the road, remains loyal. Giovanni is unable to tell anyone why he refuses to change clothes or bathe, and people think he is mad. But in Palermo, he uses his magic purse to buy a palazzo, where he is able to pay to hire servants to tend to his needs (although they don't come too close). Soon he opens his house to all the needy of the area, and even the king hears of his largesse.
King William seeks Giovanni's help to build a new cathedral--Monreale (an actual cathedral and one of the great monuments of Sicily, whose construction began around this time). In gratitude, the king offers Giovanni the hand of his sister. Can Giovanni beat the devil at his own game--and win the wager, allowing him to wed when his sentence is up...and live happily ever after with his beautiful bride?
The Wager is a re-telling of a traditional Sicilian folk tale, Don Giovanni della Fortuna. While the story is not historical fiction in the strict sense, I would call it "historical fantasy,"; although there are supernatural elements in the story, the author has also set it in a very specific time and place (Sicily in 1169), and filled the tale with the kind of attention to historical detail that we would expect to find in well-written historical fiction.
This book delves into many themes we find in folklore, such as the true meaning and importance of beauty, and whether money really leads to happiness. In many ways this folktale echoes some of the themes of Beauty and the Beast in the transformation of the main character; here, as Giovanni becomes more and more sub-human, through his filth and stench, he becomes more and more human in his compassion, charity, and love for others. In the beginning of the novel, Giovanni is not a very sympathetic character; but as he becomes more and more physically repulsive, to himself and others, the reader is drawn into his story and can't help but empathize with Giovanni's loneliness and hunger for human contact.
One aspect of this novel that I found particularly enjoyable was the manner in which Napoli captures in words the many flavors of Sicily, in all its multicultural splendor, including mouth-watering descriptions of the international Sicilian cuisine, the cacophony of languages, the different religions--Muslim, Christian, and Jewish, and even the landscapes.
While we're not supposed to judge a book by its cover, I'd like to draw attention to the dramatic red and black design of the cover; it's a great fit for the dark nature of this story.
October 21, 2011
I just loved this story, set in 12th century Sicily, and based on a Sicilian folktale which I vaguely recall having read somewhere. Don Giovanni is a wealthy young man who has everything--until Mt. Etna erupts, causing a tsunami that wipes out the city of Messina and the loss of all his possessions to looters. He wanders Sicily, looking for work, until one evening he encounters the devil, who offers him a wager: if he can go for 3 years, 3 months, and 3 days without bathing, washing or changing his clothing, or cutting his hair, he will be given unlimited wealth from a magic purse. How can he refuse? But will he be able to keep the wager?
What I liked best about the story is that, as he tries to survive despite his increasingly ugly and odorous appearance, Don Giovanni learns about people and about himself, and becomes a better person for it. He even sets an example for others. You are what you do, not what you look (or smell) like. The story has a twist at the end, which I thought I'd guessed but I didn't. It was another book that I just couldn't put down, because I couldn't wait to see whether he could resist cleaning himself for that long. I also loved the descriptions of the Sicilian countryside, the foods of the various cultures on the island, and the cultures themselves. Great story, and highly recommended! Now I've got to find that folktale...
What I liked best about the story is that, as he tries to survive despite his increasingly ugly and odorous appearance, Don Giovanni learns about people and about himself, and becomes a better person for it. He even sets an example for others. You are what you do, not what you look (or smell) like. The story has a twist at the end, which I thought I'd guessed but I didn't. It was another book that I just couldn't put down, because I couldn't wait to see whether he could resist cleaning himself for that long. I also loved the descriptions of the Sicilian countryside, the foods of the various cultures on the island, and the cultures themselves. Great story, and highly recommended! Now I've got to find that folktale...
August 11, 2010
Napoli's fairy/folk tale retellings have always been among my favorites, so even though I didn't know the tale this one was based on, I was willing to dive in and take a chance.
When I finished this, I wasn't quite sure what to think. I knew I liked it, but couldn't quite articulate it. And it wasn't that I was so in love with the story that I was left wordless.
I think I've finally figured out what I liked about this story: it was allowed to grow on me. Everything about this book is a slow build. When we first meet Don Giovanni, he's totally unsympathetic - an overgrown boy with too much money to spend and an insufferable braggart about his skills in bed. And then a tsunami wipes out his home town and reduces Don Giovanni to begging.
And then the Devil appears with his wager - do not bathe or even change clothes for three years, three months and three days. In return, Don Giovanni gets a purse that will give him any ammount of money he desires. His hygiene and pride are the only things he must sacrifice - unless he loses the wager, for then the Devil gets his soul.
Napoli's descriptions of Giovanni's descent into filth are absolutely disgusting - and I mean that in a complimentary way! Don't read this while eating - you really don't want your meal interrupted by descriptions of pustules and sores and the company of flies. Blech, I'm grossing myself out again just thinking about it.
It's not an action packed story, but as Giovanni gets closer and closer to winning the wager, I was getting more and more tense. Would he make it? Would he make it without going absolutely insane? And if he did make it, would his experience truly change him for the better? For that's how Don Giovanni grew on me - as he was forced to slip further and further away from humanity by his filth, he actually became more humane, using his endless wealth to help others who were indigent in a way he had never even considered before entering the bet.
When I finished this, I wasn't quite sure what to think. I knew I liked it, but couldn't quite articulate it. And it wasn't that I was so in love with the story that I was left wordless.
I think I've finally figured out what I liked about this story: it was allowed to grow on me. Everything about this book is a slow build. When we first meet Don Giovanni, he's totally unsympathetic - an overgrown boy with too much money to spend and an insufferable braggart about his skills in bed. And then a tsunami wipes out his home town and reduces Don Giovanni to begging.
And then the Devil appears with his wager - do not bathe or even change clothes for three years, three months and three days. In return, Don Giovanni gets a purse that will give him any ammount of money he desires. His hygiene and pride are the only things he must sacrifice - unless he loses the wager, for then the Devil gets his soul.
Napoli's descriptions of Giovanni's descent into filth are absolutely disgusting - and I mean that in a complimentary way! Don't read this while eating - you really don't want your meal interrupted by descriptions of pustules and sores and the company of flies. Blech, I'm grossing myself out again just thinking about it.
It's not an action packed story, but as Giovanni gets closer and closer to winning the wager, I was getting more and more tense. Would he make it? Would he make it without going absolutely insane? And if he did make it, would his experience truly change him for the better? For that's how Don Giovanni grew on me - as he was forced to slip further and further away from humanity by his filth, he actually became more humane, using his endless wealth to help others who were indigent in a way he had never even considered before entering the bet.
September 23, 2018
Quick note: If you are not familiar with this particular tale in its many forms, this review contains what could be considered spoilers.
The tale of the man who makes a deal with the devil: Endless wealth in return for never washing himself or his clothes for years. The man gets very dirty. Then he gets dirtier. And sick in yucky ways. And finally, he makes it through and has a very fast happily ever after.
This book has some serious disconnect between the reader and the main character. It seemed like the book was being written as a fable or fairy tale, as in "there once was a man who ..." but then, it was a novel. So, it just went on and on with this man who ...
There were moments that were interesting or insightful, but I couldn't connect with the main character and what he was going through. It always felt distant. The ending was ridiculously fast. After dragging out the last days of his filth, the author zips through his restoration to being a clean, acceptable human being in just a matter of sentences. A few paragraphs later, he is married and happy and the book is over. So, the reader wades through endless yuck for a quick "all better" at the end.
Lots of historical details, some of which are interesting, some of which are tedious, and some of which are unsavory.
Oh, and if you're looking for a book that gets very descriptive about what kinds of things the human body does when it is unwashed for too long, this is the book for you.
The tale of the man who makes a deal with the devil: Endless wealth in return for never washing himself or his clothes for years. The man gets very dirty. Then he gets dirtier. And sick in yucky ways. And finally, he makes it through and has a very fast happily ever after.
This book has some serious disconnect between the reader and the main character. It seemed like the book was being written as a fable or fairy tale, as in "there once was a man who ..." but then, it was a novel. So, it just went on and on with this man who ...
There were moments that were interesting or insightful, but I couldn't connect with the main character and what he was going through. It always felt distant. The ending was ridiculously fast. After dragging out the last days of his filth, the author zips through his restoration to being a clean, acceptable human being in just a matter of sentences. A few paragraphs later, he is married and happy and the book is over. So, the reader wades through endless yuck for a quick "all better" at the end.
Lots of historical details, some of which are interesting, some of which are tedious, and some of which are unsavory.
Oh, and if you're looking for a book that gets very descriptive about what kinds of things the human body does when it is unwashed for too long, this is the book for you.
May 12, 2023
This was OK - but just OK. I appreciate the author's efforts in trying to form a complete novel from a short fairy tale, and maybe I am being too harsh here since I'm not the target audience for this book (I'm far from being a young adult).
Don Giovanni's battles with uncleanliness and filth show us that there are things that money cannot buy. The author portrays this struggle well. I would have liked to see more of the devil with whom Don Giovanni struck the wager.
This is a fun read, but, unsurprisingly, dragging. A short fairy tale which could have been told in 3 pages, blown up to novel size.
Don Giovanni's battles with uncleanliness and filth show us that there are things that money cannot buy. The author portrays this struggle well. I would have liked to see more of the devil with whom Don Giovanni struck the wager.
This is a fun read, but, unsurprisingly, dragging. A short fairy tale which could have been told in 3 pages, blown up to novel size.
October 1, 2018
I was hesitant to read this novel due to its intimidating cover(sorry, unfortunately I am one of those people), but when I began to read its pages the story came to life. Mystery, hidden meanings, and heartbreaking actions lurk throughout Don Giovanni's tale from rich nobleman to poor beggar. A few things I think the Author did well was her use of detail and symbolism, there was only one thing that I did not like about the overall book and its that the Author didn't carry on with the original ending; She describes her thoughts on the idea in her acknowledgements. I think the bigger picture would have made more sense if she did so.
Overall I enjoyed this unimaginable, unpredictable tale and I find myself wanting to read it again, its intriguing depths still wander in my brain. I believe a lesson is to be learned from “The Wager”. You'll find yourself questioning whether you're living the right life and what exactly is making it the way it is. This is a read you will not regret, if you dare to endure it.
Overall I enjoyed this unimaginable, unpredictable tale and I find myself wanting to read it again, its intriguing depths still wander in my brain. I believe a lesson is to be learned from “The Wager”. You'll find yourself questioning whether you're living the right life and what exactly is making it the way it is. This is a read you will not regret, if you dare to endure it.
September 3, 2021
It was very well written and kept me engaged and interested however it was disgusting like actually made me feel sick at some points like when he vomited and made the dog lick it just unessasary gross, still loved the book thoA
June 28, 2021
This is an interesting tale. I liked the time period she chose to set it in and think it fit the story well. That said I found the pacing to be a bit off and some parts dragged a bit.
April 9, 2023
a tale depicting the HUMBLING of the proud across years of his adventures and misadventures... from being out of touch to being in touch... with the common people, the poorest of the poor, creatures, and the beauty of nature... a tale of hope... i love that i saw a fluttering little yellow butterfly in our garden right before finishing this story 🦋💛
July 13, 2015
As I read this book, I thought it had the makings of a fairytale and then in the notes in the reader at the back of the book, I found that it is an old Sicilian fairytale that the author put her spin on. I will tell this tale often as it is with so many fairytales, there is a deeper meaning within its grasp if you truly want to look for it. I picked up The Wager at the library because the cover surprised me. I loved the wickedness of the red and black contrasting colors, the pictures portrayed on the front and the font showcasing the title. Don, the main baron in the book wasn’t an evil man; he had just been raised inside his castle, admired by many women. When a tidal wave swept the village away that surrounded him, Don helped the villagers as others purged out his wealth from his castle on the hilltop. Alone, neither servants nor family, no money to fall back on, Don was just like all the other villagers and he like everyone else had to find a way to survive. Don Diovanni, a man once admired was left on the streets trying to rebuild his life. No sleep for me as I watched Don try to uphold is clean image living among the others on the street. They laughed at him, how he could be the famous Don, the man with all the money living among them, eating day-old bread and scrounging among the trees and bushes for berries. This novel was remarkable and I knew my evening was inside this book when Don met a distinguished gentleman and what he offered Don, would push him to his limits. This was no gentleman, for what he offered him was a gamble, a risk, a bet that only the Devil himself thought he could win at and he had set it before Don, hoping Don would crumble at his feet. Don could not take his sad pathetic life anymore so he took The Wager from the Devil, the deal was made. No washing, no shaving, no changing of his clothes, no change to his beauty for 3 years, 3 months and 3 days. Don was willing to exchange his soul to acquire his wealth back but as the days, months and years progressed, Don’s conditions based on this wager was deteriorating. I could not tear myself away from this novel, what a terrific story. I was so engrossed with Don’s fight to win this battle with the Devil and his transformation from someone so powerful to someone who walks with the people. As Don walks among the villages, now looking sometimes worse than the beggars, my image of him was disgusting, not bathing or washing his clothes for days or months, he had to look and smell awful. His sores, the lice, his breath and hair, his fear of losing but yet he continued on looking forward to the day he would get his wealth back and what exactly he would do on that day. This is definitely a keeper!
November 6, 2011
The Wager is based off of an old Sicilian fairy tale, so you can assume that Don Giovanni actually does make a bargain with the devil. But that is as far as this book goes toward supernatural/magic content.
It has been a long time since I've read one of Donna Jo Napoli's books. I remember most of her stories with fondness and a little frustration toward her characters. Don Giovanni is aggravating, but The Wager is one of those tales where you don't particularly care for any of the characters (except Cani, his dog). You read it out of curiosity, and you finish it out of curiosity. I didn't care what happened to Don Giovanni, I didn't particularly feel sorry for him, and I didn't dislike him, either. It was very difficult, for some reason, to attach to Don Giovanni in any manner.
Which may partially by why this is a book that is difficult to get through. But it isn't the only reason. The Wager is not a book you should read while you are eating a meal, or if your stomach is empty. The whole premise of the story is how Don Giovanni copes with not bathing, changing his clothes, or combing his hair for three years, three months, and three days. Donna Jo Napoli likes detail, and when a story's premise is about someone who doesn't bathe for that long, you can imagine where her detail focuses. Dirt. Filth. Stench. The resulting effect on a person's physical health when they don't wash. It would turn anyone's stomach. On top of that, the devil finds various ways to make Don Giovanni's filth increase, and there is a particular incident that is really disgusting. I had to stop reading because my stomach was so hungry, and it was turning to a degree that threatened to make me physically sick.
That, unfortunately, isn't the only content. Don Giovanni loves women, and everyone seems to give themselves freely to him. While there are no actual sexual scenes, there is lots of alluding to past relationships, as well as pleasant feelings compared to physical, intimate contact with a woman. Most of this is in the beginning of the book, and it isn't terribly explicit, but it is worth noting.
The Wager was an interesting story, but I don't think I'll buy it, and I certainly won't read it again. Definitely not for weak stomachs.
It has been a long time since I've read one of Donna Jo Napoli's books. I remember most of her stories with fondness and a little frustration toward her characters. Don Giovanni is aggravating, but The Wager is one of those tales where you don't particularly care for any of the characters (except Cani, his dog). You read it out of curiosity, and you finish it out of curiosity. I didn't care what happened to Don Giovanni, I didn't particularly feel sorry for him, and I didn't dislike him, either. It was very difficult, for some reason, to attach to Don Giovanni in any manner.
Which may partially by why this is a book that is difficult to get through. But it isn't the only reason. The Wager is not a book you should read while you are eating a meal, or if your stomach is empty. The whole premise of the story is how Don Giovanni copes with not bathing, changing his clothes, or combing his hair for three years, three months, and three days. Donna Jo Napoli likes detail, and when a story's premise is about someone who doesn't bathe for that long, you can imagine where her detail focuses. Dirt. Filth. Stench. The resulting effect on a person's physical health when they don't wash. It would turn anyone's stomach. On top of that, the devil finds various ways to make Don Giovanni's filth increase, and there is a particular incident that is really disgusting. I had to stop reading because my stomach was so hungry, and it was turning to a degree that threatened to make me physically sick.
That, unfortunately, isn't the only content. Don Giovanni loves women, and everyone seems to give themselves freely to him. While there are no actual sexual scenes, there is lots of alluding to past relationships, as well as pleasant feelings compared to physical, intimate contact with a woman. Most of this is in the beginning of the book, and it isn't terribly explicit, but it is worth noting.
The Wager was an interesting story, but I don't think I'll buy it, and I certainly won't read it again. Definitely not for weak stomachs.
September 14, 2017
The Wager is a retelling of an old Sicilian fairytale. Unlike the Disney retellings, but closer to the original tales, The Wager is more of a dark tale and is filled with graphic depiction of the disgusting reality of being unwashed for three years. My mother asked me "Why would you want to read about that?" I had no answer for her. So I thought about why I picked this one up. I love reading about the dark, unpleasant and wrong, the despicable, vile and disgusting. In recent review I said I sometimes root for the villain. A book with the tagline "never make a deal with the devil" let's just say I was enticed.
This book did not disappoint. There were times when it became so graphic and disgusting that my stomach churned. I was filled with pity for Don Giovanni, but also pride as I watched him become humble after being humiliated. It was a story where the character experienced immense change as time passed with the wager.
Don Giovanni went from being a stuck up, rude and ungrateful man, to the most down-to-earth, charitable and shameful man. The transformation was remarkable. When the devil proposed the wager I'm sure he had no idea that it would make Don Giovanni a better person.
It was a decent story, but it was a bit drawn out . It could've been 50-100 pages shorter . I would suggest it to those who like to read fairytale retellings or dark novels. I have read many retellings in this is among the darkest of the tales that I have read .
This book did not disappoint. There were times when it became so graphic and disgusting that my stomach churned. I was filled with pity for Don Giovanni, but also pride as I watched him become humble after being humiliated. It was a story where the character experienced immense change as time passed with the wager.
Don Giovanni went from being a stuck up, rude and ungrateful man, to the most down-to-earth, charitable and shameful man. The transformation was remarkable. When the devil proposed the wager I'm sure he had no idea that it would make Don Giovanni a better person.
It was a decent story, but it was a bit drawn out . It could've been 50-100 pages shorter . I would suggest it to those who like to read fairytale retellings or dark novels. I have read many retellings in this is among the darkest of the tales that I have read .
May 23, 2010
3.5 stars, really.
I really enjoy Napoli's sensual descriptions--food, clothes, surroundings--even when they stray to less appetizing subjects (I believe she talks about "pus" in several of her other books). This was an entertaining read, although I was really disappointed in the ending. I enjoyed reading about Don Giovanni's trials and tribulations as he worked to uphold his end of the wager, but then the book just sort of...ended.
If you want to read other fairytale-like books by Napoli, I highly recommend Zel, The Magic Circle, and Spinners. These are great examples of the magic she can weave in her own fairytale retellings.
I really enjoy Napoli's sensual descriptions--food, clothes, surroundings--even when they stray to less appetizing subjects (I believe she talks about "pus" in several of her other books). This was an entertaining read, although I was really disappointed in the ending. I enjoyed reading about Don Giovanni's trials and tribulations as he worked to uphold his end of the wager, but then the book just sort of...ended.
If you want to read other fairytale-like books by Napoli, I highly recommend Zel, The Magic Circle, and Spinners. These are great examples of the magic she can weave in her own fairytale retellings.
November 5, 2016
Based from a Sicilian fairytale, set in 1169 in Messina, a wealthy man (Don Giovanni) went broke after a tsunami hits their town. He finds himself working for food and shelter. And then one night he accepted the devil's deal.
This book is simply fantastic. It is deeply moving and engaging! What I liked about the most in this story is the character development and the sense of hope in a desperation. The brutality of humans and at the same time the mercy. Greed and geneorsity. Loneliness and loyalty. They were all working together I was gripping the book for air. Although some of you might have read this story before because it's based off of a fairytale and some similar stories are posted on the internet.
I had a fun time reading this book and I recommend this to all of you if ya'll are looking for a quick read!
This book is simply fantastic. It is deeply moving and engaging! What I liked about the most in this story is the character development and the sense of hope in a desperation. The brutality of humans and at the same time the mercy. Greed and geneorsity. Loneliness and loyalty. They were all working together I was gripping the book for air. Although some of you might have read this story before because it's based off of a fairytale and some similar stories are posted on the internet.
I had a fun time reading this book and I recommend this to all of you if ya'll are looking for a quick read!
August 2, 2011
This was in the YA section but I don't really see most YA liking it. It was a retelling of the Don Giovanni legend and I don't think many young adults would be interested in reading about a man who couldn't clean himself for 3 years. The writing was sort of simplistic and "fairy tale" sounding, but I got past that after awhile. It takes places in the 1100's so life was kind of crude. Thus, some of the descriptions of bodily functions and such were also crude. I would have given more stars if they had described the luxury of being able to clean himself after 3 years, but they skipped right over it! I got to hear details about every itch and bug and suppurating sore but was robbed of hearing about the exquisite sweetness of shaving his head or scraping the dirt off his skin. Weird, but I was disappointed.
March 10, 2012
I chose Donna Jo Napoli’s “The Wager” for my traditional literature category. Based on a very old Sicilian fairy tale, it tells the story of the haughty Don Giovanni as he loses all of his power and wealth. In the beginning, Don arrogantly tells a mysterious servant that he owns the sea since he can see if from his castle window, because he owns everything as far as the eye can see. Shortly thereafter, Mount Aetna erupts, bringing total devastation to the town but mostly to the Don, who loses his castle, his wealth, and even the clothes of his back. He becomes a wanderer, and as time goes on, his appearance deteriorates to become something disgusting, while his soul grows into something whole and beautiful. Fans of the darker Grimm’s fairy tales will find much in this magical, poetic tale to fall in love with.
October 1, 2015
I liked the fairytale and thought, how hard could it be not to wash for that long, but it was so fascinating. Trevor and I debated the health ramifications. I also liked the character growth. I was so mad at the character in the beginning because he was so stupid but I liked that he learned. my only issue was that the devil didn't come back at the end.
October 22, 2022
Based on an old Sicilian fairytale:
A wealthy young man loses everything in a tsunami that washes over the medieval Sicilian town of Messina, destroying his property and taking every chance he had of paying off his debts. Evicted, scorned, and despised, he struggles to survive in a world that has no interest in helping a foolish nobleman, especially while everyone else is hurting just as bad. He works menial jobs enough to get along for awhile, but when those jobs disappear he needs more help.
The devil offers him a wager--a limitless purse is his, and he can keep his soul even, if he can go three years, three months, and three days without changing clothes or bathing. He accepts. Of course, the devil doesn't play fair, and he is soon filthy and stinking with a long time to go on the wager.
At first he can find places to lodge, paying outrageous fees, but after a time he can't even do that. He's kicked out of every place, reviled because of his stench and disgusting appearance.
The rest of the story deals with the various ways he goes about surviving, trying to win the bet. The middle gets pretty slow, tbh. And then the end, when you want to see how everything is resolved, gets tied up all at once, which I didn't love. Spoiler-- I kinda wanted to see more of the devil, too, but we only get a glimpse here and there. Oh well.
An interesting premise with some good characters and a good ending, I'd say it is better now in retrospect than how I was feeling about it in the middle. I'm glad I finished, I mean. So--cautiously recommended.
A wealthy young man loses everything in a tsunami that washes over the medieval Sicilian town of Messina, destroying his property and taking every chance he had of paying off his debts. Evicted, scorned, and despised, he struggles to survive in a world that has no interest in helping a foolish nobleman, especially while everyone else is hurting just as bad. He works menial jobs enough to get along for awhile, but when those jobs disappear he needs more help.
The devil offers him a wager--a limitless purse is his, and he can keep his soul even, if he can go three years, three months, and three days without changing clothes or bathing. He accepts. Of course, the devil doesn't play fair, and he is soon filthy and stinking with a long time to go on the wager.
At first he can find places to lodge, paying outrageous fees, but after a time he can't even do that. He's kicked out of every place, reviled because of his stench and disgusting appearance.
The rest of the story deals with the various ways he goes about surviving, trying to win the bet. The middle gets pretty slow, tbh. And then the end, when you want to see how everything is resolved, gets tied up all at once, which I didn't love. Spoiler-- I kinda wanted to see more of the devil, too, but we only get a glimpse here and there. Oh well.
An interesting premise with some good characters and a good ending, I'd say it is better now in retrospect than how I was feeling about it in the middle. I'm glad I finished, I mean. So--cautiously recommended.
December 22, 2020
This book is small, 200 or so pages hardcover, for that I am grateful. I didn’t despise this story, but I found it... boring? Like I just didn’t care really. Rich man goes poor, yeah, I get it. Nothing really interesting here. Sure, there are some good aspects of this man’s journey such as lessons he had to learn, apparently in filth.
The flow was decent, not wonderful, not awful. I finished it in a day, however not out of deep intrigue but because I wanted it over with. I mean, perhaps it would fit a younger audience better. I could see that, and that I do understand. As for myself, it was just dull.
I found the concept kinda gross actually, throughout the book they explain several.. disgusting situations that I would’ve been happy never reading in my life lol. I’m kinda a clean freak person, so reading that was kinda.. disturbing to me. But that’s my personal issue, not really enough to judge the book as a whole.
What could make this story far more interesting, for one, write more then JUST the filth. More then just the sadness and loneliness that he bares with it. I mean make something outta it you know? Get some upbeat shock in there, something unexpected. Balance out the filth lol.
The flow was decent, not wonderful, not awful. I finished it in a day, however not out of deep intrigue but because I wanted it over with. I mean, perhaps it would fit a younger audience better. I could see that, and that I do understand. As for myself, it was just dull.
I found the concept kinda gross actually, throughout the book they explain several.. disgusting situations that I would’ve been happy never reading in my life lol. I’m kinda a clean freak person, so reading that was kinda.. disturbing to me. But that’s my personal issue, not really enough to judge the book as a whole.
What could make this story far more interesting, for one, write more then JUST the filth. More then just the sadness and loneliness that he bares with it. I mean make something outta it you know? Get some upbeat shock in there, something unexpected. Balance out the filth lol.
April 8, 2023
Do you know the tale of Don Giovanni? I only knew of him from the Mozart opera. Napoli retells an old Sicilian fairytale (and gives credit/pointers to it at the end). Her retelling elaborates on the short tale while sticking to the main arc faithfully.
This is not a story for the squeamish. Descriptions of filth and the decay that comes from the worst hygiene imaginable are lovingly presented. Yes, this is a pungent rendition for which I'm grateful. Why present a deal with the devil that mandates "Three years, three months, three days...You cannot wash yourself, change your clothes, shave your beard, comb your hair." without revealing just how difficult such a seamingly easy bargain is? The devil wouldn't make easy wagers would he?
Where the original tales fail to go into any detail on what becomes of a person that undertakes such an endeavor, Napoli doesn't. She writes not just about the stench and bug infestations and sores and diseases in appropriate levels to convey the challenge but also about the treatment such a person receives at the hands of his fellow man. All the while we see how this wager changes Giovanni for the better.
A beautifully wrapped edition too. Recommended.
This is not a story for the squeamish. Descriptions of filth and the decay that comes from the worst hygiene imaginable are lovingly presented. Yes, this is a pungent rendition for which I'm grateful. Why present a deal with the devil that mandates "Three years, three months, three days...You cannot wash yourself, change your clothes, shave your beard, comb your hair." without revealing just how difficult such a seamingly easy bargain is? The devil wouldn't make easy wagers would he?
Where the original tales fail to go into any detail on what becomes of a person that undertakes such an endeavor, Napoli doesn't. She writes not just about the stench and bug infestations and sores and diseases in appropriate levels to convey the challenge but also about the treatment such a person receives at the hands of his fellow man. All the while we see how this wager changes Giovanni for the better.
A beautifully wrapped edition too. Recommended.
May 4, 2017
[3.5 stars]
An enjoyable and quick read, but somewhat unbalanced: we are shown plenty about the misery the main character, Don Giovanni, experiences during his wager with the devil, but we are not given hardly any details about his eventual triumph.
The author carefully describes how Don Giovanni feels toward others, how they treat him, and how his body suffers as a result of his filth--but barely touches on the the results of his winning. This makes the ending feel rather rushed. I'm left with questions:
Still, it provides some food for thought in regards to the fact that we often focus too much on obtaining more money, but hardly think on the fact that we are free to wash as often as we please--and that cleanliness, like air, is something infinitely precious that we hardly think about until we are denied it.
An enjoyable and quick read, but somewhat unbalanced: we are shown plenty about the misery the main character, Don Giovanni, experiences during his wager with the devil, but we are not given hardly any details about his eventual triumph.
The author carefully describes how Don Giovanni feels toward others, how they treat him, and how his body suffers as a result of his filth--but barely touches on the the results of his winning. This makes the ending feel rather rushed. I'm left with questions:
Still, it provides some food for thought in regards to the fact that we often focus too much on obtaining more money, but hardly think on the fact that we are free to wash as often as we please--and that cleanliness, like air, is something infinitely precious that we hardly think about until we are denied it.
August 15, 2019
Baru inget mau bikin review....
Jadi, The Wager ini adalah kisah retelling dari dongeng Italia, Don Giovanni. Cukup populer di sana sampe dipake untuk idiom seperti "Oh, you are Don Giovanni" yang artinya seorang playboy. Grimm brothers juga ngambil dongeng ini dan menggantinya dengan judul "Bearskin". Donna Jo Napoli menuliskan di belakang buku, bahwa dalam dongeng aslinya tidak disebutkan kapan terjadinya peristiwa karena awalnya hanya disampaikan dari mulut ke mulut. Jadi Donna mengambil satu setting waktu di tahun 1167 ketika Mount Etna meletus menyebabkan gempa bumi dahsyat dan tsunami di Messina, Italia. Dan kisahnya sendiri, bukan tentang Don Giovanni yang playboy, istilah modern dari Don Giovanni sudah disederhanakan sampai sedangkal itu, padahal secara keseluruhannya kisah Don Giovanni punya makna dan pesan-pesan moral yang lebih dalam. Donna Jo Napoli berhasil menghidupkan penderitaan Don Giovanni dan pergulatannya dalam memenangkan taruhan dengan 'sang penjudi'. Donna juga membagi tiap-tiap adegannya dengan bagus sekali dengan banyak misteri juga antisipasi pembaca, jadi nggak bikin bosan.
Btw, walo covernya bikin ngeri (gothic ciamik), isinya aman dibaca anak-anak lho...
Jadi, The Wager ini adalah kisah retelling dari dongeng Italia, Don Giovanni. Cukup populer di sana sampe dipake untuk idiom seperti "Oh, you are Don Giovanni" yang artinya seorang playboy. Grimm brothers juga ngambil dongeng ini dan menggantinya dengan judul "Bearskin". Donna Jo Napoli menuliskan di belakang buku, bahwa dalam dongeng aslinya tidak disebutkan kapan terjadinya peristiwa karena awalnya hanya disampaikan dari mulut ke mulut. Jadi Donna mengambil satu setting waktu di tahun 1167 ketika Mount Etna meletus menyebabkan gempa bumi dahsyat dan tsunami di Messina, Italia. Dan kisahnya sendiri, bukan tentang Don Giovanni yang playboy, istilah modern dari Don Giovanni sudah disederhanakan sampai sedangkal itu, padahal secara keseluruhannya kisah Don Giovanni punya makna dan pesan-pesan moral yang lebih dalam. Donna Jo Napoli berhasil menghidupkan penderitaan Don Giovanni dan pergulatannya dalam memenangkan taruhan dengan 'sang penjudi'. Donna juga membagi tiap-tiap adegannya dengan bagus sekali dengan banyak misteri juga antisipasi pembaca, jadi nggak bikin bosan.
Btw, walo covernya bikin ngeri (gothic ciamik), isinya aman dibaca anak-anak lho...
December 17, 2025
For starters, I began this book with zero knowledge of the fairy tale it’s based off of. I was not familiar with the author, I went in with pure curiosity. This is just one of those books I was drawn to, so I grabbed it.
This was a very quick and easy read. It was an adventure that could invoke some sociological, philosophical, and political thoughts if you want them to. You can also enjoy this story at its face value, humanity, friendship, and the human spirit.
I really appreciate the way Napoli ties themes together and almost makes the reader feel nostalgic throughout the character development. I love the detailed descriptions of filth and discomfort felt by Don Giovanni, it allowed me to feel excited by the urgency of winning the wager.
I found the end to be abrupt and predictable. I wish i could’ve spent more time with the new person that Don Giovanni becomes after the wager. Overall it was fun to read and has me hugging me doggy a little extra.
(Ps. Nothing bad happens to the dog.)
This was a very quick and easy read. It was an adventure that could invoke some sociological, philosophical, and political thoughts if you want them to. You can also enjoy this story at its face value, humanity, friendship, and the human spirit.
I really appreciate the way Napoli ties themes together and almost makes the reader feel nostalgic throughout the character development. I love the detailed descriptions of filth and discomfort felt by Don Giovanni, it allowed me to feel excited by the urgency of winning the wager.
I found the end to be abrupt and predictable. I wish i could’ve spent more time with the new person that Don Giovanni becomes after the wager. Overall it was fun to read and has me hugging me doggy a little extra.
(Ps. Nothing bad happens to the dog.)
July 1, 2025
In an era rife with overconsumption, THE WAGER is a particularly timely read. The antihero, Giovanni, is a hedonistic lord who doesn't concern himself with the fact that his people are starving-- not as long as his own comforts aren't being impacted. But a particularly callous display of indifference following a natural disaster causes him to be cursed by a saint and the only one capable of restoring his wealth? The devil. But the price is that he mustn't groom or bathe for three years, three months, and three days.
This book stressed me out so much. Giovanni's deteriorating condition verges on body horror. My skin crawled at some of the descriptions of his soiled clothes and infected wounds. You almost want him to lose the bet just so it will all be over. But at the core of this story is a powerful message that is very anti wealth-hoarding, and I appreciated that.
Especially now.
4 stars
This book stressed me out so much. Giovanni's deteriorating condition verges on body horror. My skin crawled at some of the descriptions of his soiled clothes and infected wounds. You almost want him to lose the bet just so it will all be over. But at the core of this story is a powerful message that is very anti wealth-hoarding, and I appreciated that.
Especially now.
4 stars
July 9, 2017
Don Giovanni thought he had everything, but a flood showed just how wrong he was. With nothing but the clothes on his back he wanders Sicily, looking for a kind soul to take pity on him. Then a gentleman appears with a wager too good to be true. All Don Giovanni has to do is not bathe, cut his hair, change his clothes, or shave his beard for three years, three months, and three days. He can have all the money he wants until that time is up. If he fails, the devil gets her soul. What he finds is staying dirty isn't easy. But with his wealth he has a chance to do some good. And hopefully keep his head about him until he wins the wager.
Pretty easy to read. Not sure how much teens would actually pick up this book - it doesn't really feel it was written with teens as the intended audience.
Pretty easy to read. Not sure how much teens would actually pick up this book - it doesn't really feel it was written with teens as the intended audience.
May 23, 2020
That was fun!
I didn’t know til I was done with the book that it is an imagined novelization of the fairy tale of Don Giovanni de la Fortuna.
I relished this book, because it is set in Sicily, where I traveled just a few years ago. Looming Aetna, the lush fields, the dry interior, the rocky perches - all were beautifully described as Don Giovanni, once the arrogant young lord of Messina, spends three years, three months, and three days in a pact with the devil. His discovery of his own humanity is heart-warming, and the descriptions of his filth and discomfort during his 3-3-3 penance were shiveringly realistic.
As with every good fairy tale, the story seems timeless, even though it’s set in the 12th century.
I didn’t know til I was done with the book that it is an imagined novelization of the fairy tale of Don Giovanni de la Fortuna.
I relished this book, because it is set in Sicily, where I traveled just a few years ago. Looming Aetna, the lush fields, the dry interior, the rocky perches - all were beautifully described as Don Giovanni, once the arrogant young lord of Messina, spends three years, three months, and three days in a pact with the devil. His discovery of his own humanity is heart-warming, and the descriptions of his filth and discomfort during his 3-3-3 penance were shiveringly realistic.
As with every good fairy tale, the story seems timeless, even though it’s set in the 12th century.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 25, 2021
So this retelling of the story of Don Giovanni really surprised me. I didn’t think I would care much about a young man who makes a deal with the devil for a never-ending supply of money on the condition he not clean himself or his clothes for three years, three months, and three days. However, I gave it a chance because Donna Jo Napoli has not disappointed me yet. Don Giovanni’s transition from uncaring aristocrat to beneficent but filthy man happened slowly and believably. His friendship with his dog, Cani, was so sweet and heartwarming! Napoli did an amazing job with literally every aspect of this story, including showing the sheer grossness of our hero, without wasting too much energy on it becoming overly disgusting. I didn’t expect to enjoy this as much as I did.
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