The Leopard

A Novel

By: Giuseppe di Lampedusa, Archibald Colquhuon - translator

Narrated by: Paul Woodson

Set in the 1860s, The Leopard tells the spellbinding story of a decadent, dying Sicilian aristocracy threatened by the approaching forces of democracy and revolution. The dramatic sweep and richness of observation, the seamless intertwining of public and private worlds, and the grasp of human frailty imbue The Leopard with its particular melancholy beauty and power, and place it among the greatest historical novels of our time.

Although Giuseppe di Lampedusa had long had the book in mind, he began writing it only in his late fifties; he died at age sixty, soon after the manuscript was rejected as unpublishable. In his introduction, Gioacchino Lanza Tomasi, Lampedusa's nephew, gives us a detailed history of the initial publication and the various editions that followed. And he includes passages Lampedusa wrote for the book that were omitted by the original Italian editors.

Here, finally, is the definitive edition of this brilliant and timeless novel.

©1960 William Collins & Co. Ltd. and Random House, Inc.; copyright renewed 1988 by William Collins PLC and Random House, Inc.; translation of foreword and appendix copyright 2007 by Guido Waldman (P)2022 Tantor

Brilliant painting and metaphorist

Ended too early and now I’m going to find more of his to enjoy and discover.

So good

Paints a very vivid picture of the decline of a Sicilian aristocratic family. It's very interesting how nothing changes - but everything changes. The writing is very good. I wish I could read the Italian.

It's helpful to know a little history coming into this, but it's not necessary.

Wonderful book

This book is Beautifully written, really a delight to listen to with amazing vocabulary and descriptions

Timeless

Only wish I’d discovered this book decades ago. However, if I had, I’m sure much of its meaning would have evaded me. A book, I’m sure for most, to be read again and again throughout one’s life. For me, I look forward to revisiting Don Fabrizio and Donnafugata amongst the sun baked, beautiful land of Sicily. Who knows what additional secrets the book accompanied by more years of living will reveal?

Enlightening Read!

Excellent job of providing a slice of life during the late 1800’s and early 1900’s as Sicily lived through yet another political change. Paints a picture unlike simply offering a timeline or listing historic headlines could. I will say that doing a little study of Sicilian history before reading this will enhance it and give one much greater appreciation. Colorful characters that the author brought to life so well!

Uniquely Sicilian

I just returned from my brief sojourn in Sicily and before my travels I read the “Invention of Sicily,” a complete history.
This was the perfect novel to read after my travels. Sicily is a most remarkable and complex civilization set among an arid and uninviting landscape, eloquently depicted in this novel. Enjoy!

Historical novel beautifully performed

This famous Lampedusa work, with its endless and detailed literary description of the Sicilian aristocracy during the Risorgimento, is not ideal as an audiobook. The narrator more than compensates for this. The writing, though formal and even a bit pompous, is often touchingly beautiful--and no doubt more so in the original Italian.

Quality in the old way

I really enjoyed the quality of literature including a consistent story, connections with History: it added culture to my memories of Sicily. The introduction and description of the author’s final days really made sense. Specially impressive was the chapter of the Count’s death, delicacy and magic: I listened it several times. The book I read before was a modern award winning one, and seems totally flat compared with this masterpiece. But I am 70.

A succinct story of the cyclic nature of class

This was very interesting how many of the perspectives of the various classes could be condensed into a brief story of a Sicilian Prince during the Italian Unification. You typically have to look at whole empires, dynasties, or histories of nations to get a good idea of the cyclic nature of things. The perspectives themselves are quote honest it seems and speak to the unspoken thoughts of many. I liked it a lot. I don't fully know what to think of it though. There's something freeing about understanding the nature of things, but also limiting. I wonder whether its better to not know.

Not my cup of tea

I simply did not enjoy this style of writing. I know it’s considered a classic, but I was never able to connect with the characters.