Second Pressing

A reissue differs from the original in exactly one line of credits. The extra name belongs to the man who died on a stair. Second Pressing follows Lino Vianello through two backs of the same photograph: a producer who did not share, a wife who will not be widow of a printer, a counsel who prefers lunch.

Written in a voice that argues with itself and loses entertainingly, the novel treats credits as a poorly kept conscience. The mystery is a variant. The comedy is philosophical and a little ...