Title: Italian crime fiction in the era of the anti-mafia movement /
Authors: Farina, William, 1955-
Year: 2020
Subjects: Detective and mystery stories, Italian History and criticism.; Mafia in literature; Crime in literature; Authors, Italian Biography; Authors, Italian.; Crime in literature; Detective and mystery stories, Italian.; Mafia in literature
Abstract: "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"--
Contents: Ancient origins -- Roberto Saviano (b. 1979) -- Norman-Arab feudal code -- Wu Ming (b. 1970?) -- Spanish black legend -- Gianrico Carofiglio (b. 1961) -- Risorgimento roots -- Maurizio De Giovanni (b. 1958) -- Little hell -- Massimo Carlotto (b. 1956) -- Saint Valentine's Day massacre -- Giancarlo De Cataldo (b. 1956) -- Unlikely allies -- Elena Ferrante (b. 1953?) -- Cosa Nostra resurgence -- Michele Giuttari (b. 1950) -- Falcone and Borsellino -- Michael Dibdin (1947-2007) -- Sicilian Backlash -- Andrea Camilleri (1925-2019).