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There are currently 20 member reviews
for Auntie Poldi and the Sicilian Lions
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Diane T. (Slingerlands, NY)
Adrianna Trigiani Mario Giordano is not
This book was touted as a book for Adrianna Trigiani lovers. Unfortunately, this book is nothing like a Trigiani book. That being said, I would venture to say that translating a book is a very difficult exercise as colloquialisms literally translated do not have the nuance of the original language. Auntie Poldi is an intriguing character, however the author has more subplots than is necessary. I think I would look for another translator to hopefully entice more readers. Definitely a beach read.
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Judith S. (Binghamton, NY)
Verbosity
Reading this book was annoying and therefore difficult to finish but I did. The story was interesting - a decent mystery. The characters were interesting, funny and sexy but there were too many of them so a challenge to keep straight. While trudging through I kept wanting to edit the prose. The author's writing was ok but extremely verbose in so many ways - whether describing Sicilian geography and history or the history and background of the characters. If the book were edited down to 100 or so fewer pages, it would be a better paced mystery/romance and more fun to read.
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Bev C. (Latrobe, PA)
Auntie Poldi
Auntie Poldi, a Bavarian widow, is a quirky character who survives on "escapades, entanglements" and excitement.
"On her sixtieth birthday, Auntie Poldi retires to Sicily, intending to while away the rest of her days with good wine, a view of the sea, and few visitors."
The disappearance and subsequent murder of her young handyman Valentino, begins a series of adventures imbued with alcohol and Poldi's lusty vigor.
Isolde is not my favorite heroine but she definitely was a unique comedic character. You can't help but laugh frequently and I'm sure her adventures will have a loyal following. Auntie Poldi and the Fruits of the Lord (Auntie Poldi, #2) follows.
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Jane H. (Redington Shores, FL)
Auntie Poldie
I would recommend this book as a beach read or a good read after you have read a series of nonfiction or heavy drama books and need something entertaining to read. I wanted to like this book as I enjoy a mystery laced with humor but this book was not a page turner. The story did not flow and I hope the author in the future uses less adjectives in his writing and less lists to describe the scenery. He has a great idea for a new series of mysteries using an Auntie Mame character as a witty detective.
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Barbara O. (Red Bank, NJ)
A Different Kind of Detective Story
A fun read but sometimes a bit too filled with geographical facts that distract from the flow of the story. Auntie Poldi is an eccentric "Auntie Mame" like character, larger than life and bent on solving a crime. The story was entertaining and I would recommend it as a good beach or travel read. For those that have visited or lived in Sicily, familiarity with the towns might be better appreciated.
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Shirley P. (Colorado Springs, CO)
Auntie Poldi...
...the titled main character of this light mystery set in Sicily, is not nearly as interesting as she thinks she is. The story told sometimes through her nephew as a Greek chorus, is about a German widow who moves to Sicily to drink herself to death. Poldi is a sassy and fairly foul-mouthed 60 year old, who in spite of wanting to end it all, remains too interested in life and handsome Siciian policemen to really go through with her plan. Her interest is caught by the death of her handyman and she proceeds to get in the way by trying to solve the homicide herself, in the process falling in love with Sicily, it's food and most especially with the aforesaid policeman.
I really wanted to like this book, but I did not. I had a hard time just staying with it as it was just not that interesting in spite of the unique locale and the also unique main character. Maybe it was the translation challenges from German to English.
I am somewhat confused about this book as my library has it as published in 2016, but this reader copy is scheduled to be published in 2018. Is the publisher giving it another go?
[Editor's Note: This first Aunti Poldi adventure was published in the UK in 2016 with limited distribution in the USA. This is the first time it is being published by a USA-based publisher so it is considered a debut in the USA.]
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