The Day of the Owl (New York Review Books Classics)

Leonardo Sciascia allocates immaculate language to lay out a crowning anecdote to interpret and characterize the bizarrely tainted island of Sicily. After thousands of years of invaders the people and creatures there have maintained an everlasting culture. A civilization that is captivating, stunning, mysterious, and horrific - truthfully. Yet a life that most who walk the earth will only imagine. My feelings may concur with Leonardo's Captain Bellodi's after he served the region. After shouting to fellow northerners, "To hell with Sicily! To Hell with it all!" Even if I too run into an honorable man such as Don Mariano, cross a scoundrel like Diego Marchica, or get made a fool of by those who have always been in Sicily; I may return... Even if it is the end of me. Because I lucidly and obscurely love the island of Turiddu, Mimmu, and Ciccio. Many of you would know these three as Salvatore, Dominic, and Francesco, and the island in the sun as part of Italy. However, you too should read, "The Day of the Owl," and see if you can resist going to Sicania and meeting "Jasper."-Jimmy

Arguably the first mafia novel "The Day of the Owl" examines silence, complicity and the impossible task of freeing people who won't speak out.The story starts with a murder, a man is gunned down in front of a bus full of passengers in the town square with dozens of witnesses....and no-one saw a thing. Then follows the investigation where a northern police officer attempts to break through the silence with mixed results.The author was a Sicilian himself and his insights into the mentality of the local people are what make this book a classic. He talks about the local peasants who remember the fascist era with fondness because Mussolini was the only man to break the mafia at least for a while. He portrays a fascinating conversation between elderly mafia gentlemen who philosophise that "the whole world are cuckolds" and consider themselves superior to their peasant neighbours. These little snapshots really made this book for me.This novel works both as a crime thriller, as anthropology and as high literature.Highly recommended.

This was the 3rd book I’ve read of his and have enjoyed reading them.

The Day of the Owl was Sciascia's first crime novel, originally published in 1961. He wrote about the Italian Mafia before anyone of influence recognized its existence. According to the power elite in this book, the Mafia exists only in the imagination of socialists and communists.Sciascia's protagonist, police Captain Bellodi is alone is investigating organized crime in Sicily. Being a Northerner from Parma, he has the audacity to suspect the presence of the Mafia behind certain vicious murders. The Sicilians don't know what to make of him; he's so courteous and respectful. His failure to bully, like a normal policeman, confuses people and is actually a surprisingly effective interrogation technique. The reader grows quite fond of Captain Bellodi as he interacts with assassins, a Mafia chief, and an informer.The writing style is often dazzling. Sciascia's vignettes of sleazy criminals and other key characters are particularly witty. But these sketches don't add up to a plot in the modern sense. I didn't find the story especially satisfying. And we never found out quite enough about Bellodi. I almost think you have to be Italian to fully appreciate The Day of the Owl. Happily, the excellent introduction helps put the book in context.Readers who enjoy reading about the Mafia are likely to be interested in this book. Readers who like a mystery with some resolution might be disappointed.

Everyone, who wants to understand the dynamics of South vs North Italy must read this. Superbly written, not an extra word, deep moral questions that continue to frame social interactions, political aspirations, and human suffering. Can't wait to read the rest of his books!

shipped immediately description was on target it the course on mafia was a bit rough but having this book as a reference point helped a lot the condition of the book was great

I really like World Noir. It usually introduces me to food, music, and language from places I’d like to visit. Turns of phrase, customs, many things are just a little different than I know and that keeps me interested. This book is a great exploration of corruption and the resignation to among community.

.Superb writer. The terror of the situation is ever present in the understated prose. Highly recommended.I shall read more of his books.

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A parabole on Sicily and the mafia. Why one cannot be untangled from the other. Extremely well written by one of the most important italiam writer of the past century.

I'd read glowing reviews of this book in NYBR, so I bought it and WHAT A DISAPPOINTMENT!!!!. Style-less, flat, uninteresting, stodgy.... (clunky translation from Italian) and felt old-fashioned in a boring way. Read about 50 pages (zzzzz) the figured I had more exciting things to do like watch paint dry...... TOTAL STIFF! AVOID!!!!!

If I am rating both the service provided and the caliber of the book purchased, the rating 5-star remains the same. The book is in excellent condition and Leonaro Sciascia is someone who must be read. Thanks to all concerned.

Great book, a masterpiece. A portrait of Sicily over the past few years, unfortunately the situation hasn't changed much.... Good translation