"One of the greatest historical novels of all time" says the blurb. Set in Sicily in the 1860s.

And indeed it is great. Huge scope, great character studies, amazing local color and insightful social commentary are accomplished by zooming in on just eight short incidents over the course of 50 years, from the points of view of perhaps four characters. A masterpiece of understatement and gentle irony.
Reserved for jfdovelezbc, whose request for this book prompted me to finally read it.

Blurb taken from back cover:

Set against the political upheavals of Italy in the 1860s, “The Leopard” is a towering achievement, one of the greatest historical novels of all time. It depicts the complexities of Don Fabrizio, a Sicilian prince of immense sensual appetites, enormous wealth, and great personal magnetism. Around this powerful figure swirls a glittering array of characters—a Bourbon king, liberals and pseudo-liberals, peasants and millionaires—all nervously anticipating, in their own particular ways, the effects of popular hero Garibaldi on their lives.

I picked up this book this last night in The Bowery Wine Co. at the NYC Bookcrossing meetup. Thanks for bringing it, Sistermadilou!

I released this last night in One on One at the NYC Bookcrossing meetup. I discovered I had another copy at home so I'm letting this one go.

got at book crossing meetup