Book Review: Accabadora by Michela Murgia, translated by Silvester Mazzarella
on Sheila Ash (India), 19/Feb/2023 13:55, 34 days ago
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AccabadorabyMichela MurgiaMy rating:0 of 5 starsI was first attracted to this book by its title, a word I did not know.Bonari
Urrai is a childless widow in 1950s Sardinia who adopts Maria Listru
when her mother can no longer afford to raise her. Bonari is a
seamstress who not only physically but metaphorically 'good at getting
the measure' of people. She gives Maria a good home, an education but
she has a secret. That secret lies in the meaning of the title word
which I am not going to spoil here.The book flows well in
English, the style reminded me of the great Latin American writers and
has won Italian Literature prizes. Her translator isSilvester Mazzarellawho also translates Swedish works byTove Jansson. It is a shame not more of Murgia's work has been translatedThis
book impressed me. A short book 204 pages in English, that I could not
put down. Her characters of Bonari and Maria are well done, there is a
good level of texture in the story, a sense of time and of the small
rural community in which most of the storyline takes place. A
recommended afternoon read.ashramblings
