Italian Crime Fiction in the Era of the Anti-Mafia Movement
Over the last three decades, Italian crime fiction has demonstrated a trend toward a much higher level of realism and complexity. The origins of the New Italian Epic, as it has been coined by some of its proponents, can be found in the widespread backlash against the Mafia-sponsored murders of Sicilian magistrates which culminated with the assassinations of Judges Giovanni Falcone and Paolo Borsellino in 1992. Though beginning in the Italian language, this prolific, popular movement has more recently found its way into the English language and hence it has found a much wider international audience.

Following a brief, yet detailed, history of the cultural and economic development of Sicily, this book provides a multilayered look into the evolution of the New Italian Epic genre. The works of ten prominent contemporary writers, including Andrea Camilleri, Michael Dibdin, Elena Ferrante, and Massimo Carlotto, are examined against the backdrop of various historical periods. This "past is prologue" approach to contemporary crime fiction provides context for the creation of these recent novels and enhances understanding of the complex moral ambiguity that is characteristic of anti-mafia Italian crime fiction.

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Italian Crime Fiction in the Era of the Anti-Mafia Movement
Over the last three decades, Italian crime fiction has demonstrated a trend toward a much higher level of realism and complexity. The origins of the New Italian Epic, as it has been coined by some of its proponents, can be found in the widespread backlash against the Mafia-sponsored murders of Sicilian magistrates which culminated with the assassinations of Judges Giovanni Falcone and Paolo Borsellino in 1992. Though beginning in the Italian language, this prolific, popular movement has more recently found its way into the English language and hence it has found a much wider international audience.

Following a brief, yet detailed, history of the cultural and economic development of Sicily, this book provides a multilayered look into the evolution of the New Italian Epic genre. The works of ten prominent contemporary writers, including Andrea Camilleri, Michael Dibdin, Elena Ferrante, and Massimo Carlotto, are examined against the backdrop of various historical periods. This "past is prologue" approach to contemporary crime fiction provides context for the creation of these recent novels and enhances understanding of the complex moral ambiguity that is characteristic of anti-mafia Italian crime fiction.

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Italian Crime Fiction in the Era of the Anti-Mafia Movement

Italian Crime Fiction in the Era of the Anti-Mafia Movement

by William Farina
Italian Crime Fiction in the Era of the Anti-Mafia Movement
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Italian Crime Fiction in the Era of the Anti-Mafia Movement

Italian Crime Fiction in the Era of the Anti-Mafia Movement

by William Farina

Overview

Over the last three decades, Italian crime fiction has demonstrated a trend toward a much higher level of realism and complexity. The origins of the New Italian Epic, as it has been coined by some of its proponents, can be found in the widespread backlash against the Mafia-sponsored murders of Sicilian magistrates which culminated with the assassinations of Judges Giovanni Falcone and Paolo Borsellino in 1992. Though beginning in the Italian language, this prolific, popular movement has more recently found its way into the English language and hence it has found a much wider international audience.

Following a brief, yet detailed, history of the cultural and economic development of Sicily, this book provides a multilayered look into the evolution of the New Italian Epic genre. The works of ten prominent contemporary writers, including Andrea Camilleri, Michael Dibdin, Elena Ferrante, and Massimo Carlotto, are examined against the backdrop of various historical periods. This "past is prologue" approach to contemporary crime fiction provides context for the creation of these recent novels and enhances understanding of the complex moral ambiguity that is characteristic of anti-mafia Italian crime fiction.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781476677354
Publisher: McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers
Publication date: 03/13/2020
Pages: 234
Product dimensions: 6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.47(d)
Age Range: 18 Years

About the Author

William Farina is a retired real estate consultant for the federal government, now living in Evanston, Illinois. He has written books on Arthurian legend, early Christianity, the American Civil War, Shakespeare and baseball.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments vi

Introduction 1

1 Ancient Origins 13

2 Roberto Saviano (b. 1979) 22

3 Norman-Arab Feudal Code 31

4 Wu Ming (b. 1970?) 41

5 Spanish Black Legend 50

6 Gianrico Carofiglio (b. 1961) 58

7 Risorgimento Roots 66

8 Maurizio de Giovanni (b. 1958) 74

9 Little Hell 83

10 Massimo Carlotto (b. 1956) 91

11 Saint Valentine's Day Massacre 99

12 Giancarlo de Cataldo (b. 1956) 107

13 Unlikely Allies 116

14 Elena Ferrante (b. 1953?) 124

15 Cosa Nostra Resurgence 132

16 Michele Giuttari (b. 1950) 141

17 Falcone and Borsellino 149

18 Michael Dibdin (1947-2007) 157

19 Sicilian Backlash 166

20 Andrea Camilleri (1925-2019) 173

Summary 183

Chapter Notes 189

Selected Reading (English Language) 217

Index 221

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