Tags
AICW, Association of Italian Canadian Writers, Calabria, Italian Canadian Literature, Italian history, Italocanadesi, Rosanna Micelotta Battigelli
La Brigantessa is a novel of historical fiction which takes place following the Unification of Italy (1860’s), during a decade of turmoil. It was a time when law enforcement was often worse than the criminals and the law only protected the wealthy.
The main character, Gabriella Falcone, is a young peasant girl whose family work for the parish priest in a small village in Calabria. Her inamorato, Tonino has volunteered to fight alongside Giuseppe Garibaldi. When Gabriella stabs a nobleman in self defense, she is forced to flee with the priest, knowing that her version of what happened will not be believed. La Brigantessa has everything a great read needs…love, honour, class struggles, jealousy, betrayal, bravery, suspense, and even a ‘modern’ Calabrese Robin Hood.
The story is told from the point of view of many characters, yet they are all so well-developed there is no confusion. Each character is given a detailed, credible backstory, revealing their individual struggles and motivations. I was emotionally invested in these characters, even the nasty ones! The attention to detail regarding life and customs in 19th Century Calabria transported me there.
I have been waiting 2 years for this book to come out, since I listened to the author read excerpts from it at 2 conferences-and it did not disappoint. This is not one of those book reviews that gives away the whole book, so that is all I am going to say! Pour yourself a glass of vino-red, of course, sit back and enjoy. I can’t wait for the sequel and/or movie.
I give La Brigantessa 5 peperoncini out of 5 ! 🌶 🌶🌶🌶🌶
La Brigantessa is published by Inanna Publications, a Canadian Publisher based in Toronto, focusing on women’s writing. The book is available from the publisher or from Amazon or Chapters. Viva la Brigantessa!
Buona lettura, Cristina
karenincalabria said:
Thank you for this thoughtful review, Cristina. You have definitely piqued my interest! And I must say that I love the cover. It’s such an iconic photo and the overlaying of the colors makes it both contemporary and eye-catching.
Un po' di pepe said:
Grazie Karen. It was a really good book. I think you would like it especially since it goes into detail about like in Calabria at the time. The cover is a photo of Michelina DeCesare who was a real ‘Brigantessa’. Ciao, Cristina
karenincalabria said:
Yes, it sounds interesting. As for M. DeCesare, there’s even a restaurant in Philadelphia named Brigantessa with that very photo as the symbol hanging over the bar.
Un po' di pepe said:
Cool! I will have to ask Rosanna if she knows that. Poor Michelina came to a tragic end.
Marian Press Yap said:
I’ll put it on my Amazon Wish List. Have you read The Birth of Venus by Sarah Dunant? It takes place in Firenze – I loved reading it. I heard her speak in SF when she was on the book tour. I also read In the Company of the Courtesan which takes place in Venezia but didn’t enjoy it as much as Birth of Venus.
Un po' di pepe said:
Ciao Marianna. Yes I have read both of those books and also enjoyed the Venus one better. You will love La Brigantessa-full of intrigue and suspense. Buon anno, Cristina
pamelaallegretto said:
This sounds like an interesting read. I have put it on my “to-read’ list. I did look it up on Amazon, but they say it is currently unavailable. I will check back.
Un po' di pepe said:
You will love it Pamela. It has a lot of elements like your book…love, betrayal, suspense, intrigue Hope you track one down. You at both in my 5 Peperoncini club 🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶 I don’t know if you noticed but I added them to your post! Ciao, Cristina
Un po' di pepe said:
That’s a good sign! I’m sure they will have more in stock soon. Ciao, Cristina
Patty said:
sounds like a hot book with 5 pepperonici, mama mia.
Un po' di pepe said:
🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶!
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