The Brewer of Preston

A Novel

By: Andrea Camilleri

Narrated by: Grover Gardner

The New York Times best-selling author of the Inspector Montalbano series brings us back to Vigàta in the 19th century for a rip-roaring comic novel.

1870s, Sicily. Much to the displeasure of Vigàta's stubborn populace, the town has just been unified under the Kingdom of Italy. They're now in the hands of a new government they don't understand and definitely don't like. Eugenio Bortuzzi has been named prefect for Vigàta, a regional representative from the Italian government to oversee the town. But the rowdy and unruly Sicilians don't care much for this rather pompous mainlander nor the mediocre opera he's hell-bent on producing in their new municipal theater. The Brewer of Preston, it's called, and the Vigatese are revving up to wreak havoc on the performance's opening night.

©1995 Sellerio Editore. Translation © 2014 by Stephen Sartarelli (P)2014 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Madcap becoming tedious

There are shades of farce in this story, even Shakespearean farce, where there are fools, lovers, politicians, comedies and tragedies. It’s all very silly in most parts, well-performed but lacking cohesion.

Yes it’s a translation and yes it’s a 19th century take. But the problem comes when after almost sux hours of listening which sometimes seemed like 15, even at 1.2 speed, the author, for some reason decides we need a back story and completely dissects and unravels the farce, attempting to make it a history. Why? Either tell the story and make us laugh, scratch our heads and wonder or write a historical novel and make it cohesive and sensible. Going for both is unpleasant, frustrating and redundant.

Wonderfully amusing

What a great reader and story. Many wonderful characters who seem to brim with life and love. Seductions, murder, fires, all written with gorgeous language and wit.

Compelling story, cleverly tcleverly told

Excellent read, as long as you're ok with its non-linear sequencing. The characterizations are rich, the story-telling picaresque. Very funny.

I didn’t finish the book

I have 34 books by Andrea Camilleri, and I have loved all of them except this one. I did not finish this book. I plan to return it.