I read The Betrothed many years ago with a wonderful book club and am so glad I read it. I think there are quite a few similarities between Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott and The Betrothed, which were written about the same time. The Betrothed is much more fun to read, though.
As for humor in writing, one author whose humor is a surprise is Marilynne Robinson. A friend and I met to discuss Gilead at a local coffee shop. I imagined that we would get into deep and weighty discussions about this beautiful book, perhaps about Calvinism, but instead we reviewed so many comic moments that we almost got tossed out of the coffee shop for laughing so loud.
I’ve added this to my to read list, I was introduced to Italian comic writing when I discovered the Don Camillo novels in English in my public library- great education on the complexities of life in post WW2 Italy, this sounds both entertaining and informative.
I am late to the conversation, but I recently finished the novel myself. I wholeheartedly echo Mr. Miller’s praise for the novel. While the conversion of The Nameless One wasn’t quite as credible to me, as a plot device it is ultimately successful. For all its comedy, The Betrothed is balanced with enough pathos to keep the narrative from derailing into the farcical. I hope Moore’s recent translation promotes this outstanding novel among a wider audience.
I am about a quarter of the way through, and enjoying it. The hilarity of the unsuccessful attempt to trick Don Abbondio into solemnizing the marriage of Renzo and Lucia is increased by the simultaneously unsuccessful first attempt to kidnap the bride - the sheer chaos of that scene reaches the level of cinematic farce.
High praise indeed! I've been tempted by this one in the past, having read only good things about it. Sounds as though I ought to find time for it at some point.
I remember reading the review of the new translation when it was first released, and somehow, it fell off my reading list.
Thanks to your excellent and compelling review, it is now very much back on.
And, in your application of the themes to our own times, I can't help but wonder, where are our contemporary writers who can do the same kind of job for us now, when it is so much needed.
I read The Betrothed many years ago with a wonderful book club and am so glad I read it. I think there are quite a few similarities between Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott and The Betrothed, which were written about the same time. The Betrothed is much more fun to read, though.
As for humor in writing, one author whose humor is a surprise is Marilynne Robinson. A friend and I met to discuss Gilead at a local coffee shop. I imagined that we would get into deep and weighty discussions about this beautiful book, perhaps about Calvinism, but instead we reviewed so many comic moments that we almost got tossed out of the coffee shop for laughing so loud.
I’ve added this to my to read list, I was introduced to Italian comic writing when I discovered the Don Camillo novels in English in my public library- great education on the complexities of life in post WW2 Italy, this sounds both entertaining and informative.
I am late to the conversation, but I recently finished the novel myself. I wholeheartedly echo Mr. Miller’s praise for the novel. While the conversion of The Nameless One wasn’t quite as credible to me, as a plot device it is ultimately successful. For all its comedy, The Betrothed is balanced with enough pathos to keep the narrative from derailing into the farcical. I hope Moore’s recent translation promotes this outstanding novel among a wider audience.
I've never heard of this one, but it sounds really fun! I'll definitely check it out. Thanks for highlighting it!
I am about a quarter of the way through, and enjoying it. The hilarity of the unsuccessful attempt to trick Don Abbondio into solemnizing the marriage of Renzo and Lucia is increased by the simultaneously unsuccessful first attempt to kidnap the bride - the sheer chaos of that scene reaches the level of cinematic farce.
Meetings canceled!
Wow, this sounds fantastic. Thanks for this review, Joel. And any book that makes you think of Angel Martin has to be good.
Sounds right up my alley. Thanks Joel!
Nice review Joel. You make a 200 year old book very relatable, and The Rockford Files mention can't be beat!
High praise indeed! I've been tempted by this one in the past, having read only good things about it. Sounds as though I ought to find time for it at some point.
Looks good. Just purchased it on your say so:)
I remember reading the review of the new translation when it was first released, and somehow, it fell off my reading list.
Thanks to your excellent and compelling review, it is now very much back on.
And, in your application of the themes to our own times, I can't help but wonder, where are our contemporary writers who can do the same kind of job for us now, when it is so much needed.
"Everyone is thinking only about themselves, and no one thinking about me.”-- exactly MY beef with the world... 😅
Sounds good, but I doubt it could make me laugh as hard as P.G. Wodehouse, said the hidebound knee-slapper... 😁