Fiction/Non-Fiction Reading for Sicily

The Olive Tree by Carol Drinkwater has a sizable chapter on Sicity.

Not a book, but a great movie offering insight into early 20th century emigration from Sicily to America, "The Golden Door." In Italian with subtitles, beautifully filmed and acted.

The Leopard by Guiseppe Di Lampedusa is a wonderful novel about the reunification of Italy as it affected Sicily. It is a great story of an aristocratic prince and his family as he loses power. The novel explains the arid geography of the island and how it lead to the establishment of the Cosa Nostra. Beautifully written. I read it in graduate school and my prof swore it was the best Italian novel of the 20th century.

"Midnight in Sicily" by Peter Robb. Terrific book to read before a trip to Sicily.

If you like mysteries I would recommend the Inspector Montalbano series by Andrea Camillieri.

I second the Inspector Montalbano series.

I third the Insp. Montalban series - terrific books.

I just finished reading "Sicilian Odyssey" by Francine Prose. Kind of an interesting blend of history, food, culture, etc. and a pretty fast read.

For an ancient look at Sicily, read the section of The Odyssey concerning Cyclops. The setting for his cave was supposedly on the eastern coast near Taormina.

On Persephone's Island. It's a memoir by an American woman who goes to Sicily in her 20's and winds up marrying a local. Lots of insights into the culture. There's also a sequel, but I can't remember the title.

Wow! I didn't expect so many responses so quickly. Looks like I have ny work cut out for me locating these great suggestions thru our library. Thanks so much. Sherry