La testa perduta di Damasceno Monteiro (Universale economica Vol. 1531) (Italian Edition)

I bought this book because I am an Italian learner. From that point of view the book is very good as it is written in clear, easily understood but elegant prose. It commences with the discovery of a decapitated head and develops with all the intrigue and suspense of a great crime thriller. The book's setting in Oporto, Portugal gives it an added air of romance and discovery. An advocat then appears on the scene and we have to suffer his lengthy treatise on various subjects. If felt my mind wandering. The crime is solved a bit too easily for me. Afterwards a new twist emerges but the novel ends suddenly. I couldn't have been more shocked to find that the novel had ended and it spoilt it somewhat for me. However, if you want to practice your Italian this is a good way to do it.

At first face a sort of "giallo" but this crime tale soon develops deeper levels. The advocate is a truly memorable character and he is used as a vehicle for some interesting literary and philosophical digressions which do not, however, detract from the main narrative drive. Written in Tabucchi's characteristically elegant and clear prose, this should not present too many challenges to someone with roughly an A level standard of Italian.

Bought as part of University coursework.