Il Gattopardo   
by Tomasi Di Lampedusa 
(La Biblioteca KCIC #99) 

This is a highly praised Classic by a well-respected Sicilian author.  It has been translated into many languages and has been made into a film.  It is generally agreed by reviewers, that the original Italian text is the best as the descriptions are the most evocative. 
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La Storia: 

Siamo in Sicilia, all’epoca del tramonto borbonica e di scena una famiglia della piu alta aristocrazia isolana, colta nel momento rivelatore del trapasso del regime, mentre gia incalzano i tempi nuovi.  Accentrato quasi interamente intorno a un solo personaggio, il principe Fabrizio Salina, lirico e critico insieme, il romanzo nulla concede all’intreccio e al romanzesco tanto cari a tutta la narrative europea dell’ottocento.  L’immagine della Sicilia che invece ci offer e una immagine viva, animate da uno spirito alacre e modernissimo, ampiamente consapevole della problematica storia, politica et letteraria contemporanea. 

Translation: 

In Italy, in 1860, Sicily was controlled by a handful of aristocratic families who governed as feudal lords.  When Giuseppe Garibaldi arrives with plans to unify a divided Italy, he begins the overthrow of the social order.  We meet Don Fabrizio, the Prince of Salina, last of the reigning families of Sicily who faces the end of his privileged lifestyle but seems unable to do anything to change what lies ahead.  Lampedusa’s writing has been described as luxuriously descriptive and his powers of political analysis have made this novel an enduring and relevant Classic.   

L’Ora del Tramonto   
by Rosanna Lo Presti   (La Biblioteca KCIC #31) 

Rosanna Lo Presti is an Italian born author who began writing poetry and short stories in her adolescence.  She now lives in Canada.  She has written several books and one of her most popular has been published in English: Love and Mafia (The Medallion)   

La Storia: 

In Germania la Seconda Guerra Mondiale e appenna scoppiata, e la vita dei quattro amici viene irrimediabilmente sconvolta dal sopraggiungere del conflitto.  I protagonists di questo commovente raconto corale si ritroveranno a pagare lo scotto di colpe che non hanno commesso. 

Translation: 

In Germany, as the Second World War is about to explode, the lives of four friends becomes hopelessly upset by the addition of the conflict.  Jewish family members are forced to escape to evade the German army. There are many problems that arise during the course of this action.  The protagonists of this moving story will find themselves paying the price of sins they have not committed. 

Una Spirale Di Nebbia (A Spiral of Mist) 
 by Michele Prisco     
(La Biblioteca KCIC #100) 

Michele Prisco is a renowned author who set his novel in southern Italy.  A movie was made from the novel in 1977 but, chances are, the book is better as it remains true to the author’s original intention of a story from the South. 

La Storia: 

Fabrizio Sangermano, appartenente a una delle piu potenti famiglie della provincial napoletana, ha veramente ucciso sua moglie Valeria, or e stata una disgrazia, un incidente di caccia?  Qual era la realta del loro matrimonio dietro l’ovvia facciata di rispettabilita e di agiatezza?  La morte di Valeria libera, in una reazione a catena, iconflitti e le angosce di tutte le persone coinvolte.  

Translation of several reviews: 

This novel is described as a psychological thriller.  A woman is killed during a day of hunting, but was this just an accident or is there more to discover?  There are family connections, unhappy couples and no obvious motive for a murder.  Was it the illusions of love, of power or a rich woman?  “The plot thickens.”