Yet another work of fiction where rape and sexual abuse serve as a plot device so that a man who acts like a decent human being can be portrayed as an injured, unjustly treated hero. Ho-hum.
This one is set in 1901 in Palizzolo, Italy, and the "hero" is Matteo Teresi, an already unpopular lawyer who sets out to discover what lies behind the rumours of a cholera epidemic that sweep through the town. It turns out that the real "outbreak" is one of pregnancy in four pious young women.
Based on historical events, the story confirms that nothing has changed in over a century: victims are treated as sluts, then dismissed — while those who take their defense are viewed as troublemakers, shit-stirrers and conspirationists.
Reading this was such a slog... The writing is very flat, and everything remains superficial, without depth of feeling, thought or perception. Too much noise and little substance. I'm giving it 2 stars only because I managed to finish it.
I was provided with a free electronic copy of this book through NetGalley by the publisher, Europa Editions, in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: **
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