The Shape of Water

by Andrea Camilleri

Book Overview

Andrea Camilleri's novels starring Inspector Montalbano have become an international sensation and have been translated from Italian into eight languages, ranging from Dutch to Japanese. The Shape of Wateris the first book in this sly, witty, and engaging series with its sardonic take on Sicilian life. Early one morning, Silvio Lupanello, a big shot in the village of Vig?ta, is found dead in his car with his pants around his knees. The car happens...

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0142002399
• ISBN13: 9780142002391
• Release Date: November 2002
• Publisher: Penguin Group
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 0.28 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 4.2" x 6.9"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

language

I was about to order several books by Andrea Camilleri, thought they were the italian version but see that they're in English. Do you have the Italian version?

The Gentleman in a Savage Land

Inspector Salvo Montalbano is a gentleman: a gourmet and an esthete. He is also a faithful lover to his Livia who waits for him in Genoa while he toils as a police inspector in a mythical region of Sicily. The Sicily of Andrea Camilleri's fiction is a savage place indeed. Nothing and nobody is at it seems and layers of conspiracy underly other layers. In this context, when a prominent engineer is found dead in a trash- filled dump where prostitutes ply their trade, Montalbano is suspicious of the coroner's verdict of death by natural causes. His investigation takes him through descending layers of depravity which conclude with a long, surprise-filled monologue in which all is revealed. This is very cerebral detecting, even given the Maigret-like texture of the narrative. Fans of rough-and-tumble may be disappointed. Those who flinch at the social critique of the South of Italy may find the portrayal of Sicilians to be a bit problematic too. But I think these objections are misplaced. The real action in this book is on the social and personal level. It is precisely the quality of thought that the ever-humane Montalbano brings to the proceedings that make them exciting. More importantly, his dim-eyed view of Sicilan society and mores is an invitation to reflect on its similarities to our own. Sicily here is not a stand-in for some uncivilized 'other'. It's handled with a sympathy that makes it a proxy for all of us. --Lynn Hoffman, author of THE NEW SHORT COURSE IN WINE and the novel bang BANG. ISBN 9781601640005

Marcello Mastroianni could play Inspector Maltalbano

The Inspector Maltalbano Mysteries are literary works, not just examples of the time-worn genre. They are well-written and have excellent minor characters and great descriptions of Sicily and of Italian food. The plots are fascinating and there's enough humor and irony to make them fun to read.

Best detective in modern crime fiction.

The Montalbano series is my favorite mystery series. Why? Because Montalbano is a believable character. He is complex. He has a bad temper, struggles with interpersonal relationships, uses crude humor with his friends, and has some peculiar personal traits. He loves good food but hates conversation during his meals. He's very intelligent, loves to read, and is knowlegeable about the arts. He treats most of his friends like dirt but obviously cares for them deeply. He's cranky and irascible but also very likeable. He is also dogged in his pursuit of a case. He's the kind of cop you'd want working for you. This book is the first in the series and gives you a good introduction to the town of Vigata, Montalbano, and the cast of supporting characters. The novel is short, tightly written and entertaining, the way novels should be. It leaves you wanting more. Fortunately, there are several later novels in print with more on the way.

Refreshing.

Andea Camilleri's Silvio Montalbano series has been best seller material in Europe for years----just recently translated for the U.S. market.Camilleri's reserved and nimble writing style loses nothing in translation.Montalbano is a highly respected, cultivated Sicilian police inspector.In "The Shape of Water," the body of a local, well-connected politico is discovered with his pants around his ankles in a rough area populated by hookers and drug dealers. Cause of death appears to be heart failure---the vic had a history of heart ailments.Montalbano's supervisors pressure him to do a swift signed, sealed and delivered natural causes ruling. Many little things bother the inspector---so he pursues the case.A generous amount of eccentric, off-center and droll characters abound----even the garbage men possess Ph.D.s.Montalbano is a heady, witty, subtle, cynical investigator; not the pistol packing, bare-knuckles type.It is an inventive, clever, smart police procedural with three follow-ups. I am glad I discovered them and look forward to the entire series.

Welcome to a different Sicily

Once again we are in Vigata on the Sicilian Coast (and the birthplace of the author). Salvo Montalbano, the local keeper of the law, brings his humanity and knowledge of the local customs to a vexing case: the victim - engineer Silvio Luparello - of murder most foul was not blown away by a lupara, but ostensibly died in the performance of a manly occupation.Open and shut case. Delicious, but not true. Montalbano recognizes a murder when he sees it and then unravels the events.The world of Montalbano is a wonderful world indeed, including his permanent fiancee Livia (who lives on the mainland), colorful locals and interesting food. Much fun can be had by reading this book.