Roberto Bergalli

Advantages: many
Disadvantages: none

...“One lazy grey afternoon, as I was sitting in my studio, my imagination, apparently angry at being ignored, took a holiday – and never returned.” Such is J. Patrick Lewis’s introduction to one of most exceptionally lyrical, beautiful and complex books I have ever come across… and it’s a picture book for children. Roberto Innocenti tells through his stunningly simple and evocative illustrations, a tale of the journey to reclaim lost inspiration. In doing so, he stumbles across a peculiar seaside hotel, The Last Resort, where a motley crew of characters are stumbling through life. He observes them: the invalid girl, the mysterious stranger digging on the beach, the woman muttering her poetry along the shore, and wonders at them. All seem familiar and yet he has not met a single one before…... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: richly detailed, incredibly well written
Disadvantages: not as immediately accessible as Eco's previous novels

...The Island of the Day Before is set in the 1640s and revolves around the main character of Roberto della Griva, a young Spanish nobleman. Roberto is, by a series of calamities and bad weather, stranded on an unfamiliar deserted ship anchored off the shore of an unidentified Pacific island. Unable to swim, he is a prisoner on the ship and can only fantasise about the tropical island that lies within eyesight but still definitely out of his reach. In the small stretch of sea between Roberto and the island lies the international date line - the island he can see lies a day in the past - and this leads to a number of metaphysical ponderings on Roberto's part. Starting to show signs of madness brought on by his unending solitude, Roberto contemplates his past (possibly some of the best bits in this book) - his part... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Rupert Campbell Black is back!!
Disadvantages: Pah, there ain't any!

...are introduced to new characters, and ones that will continue to be around for the following two books after this one (Appasionata and Score). The main ones being world class Maestro Roberto Rannaldini, his mistress and a world leading Soprano Hermione Harefield. The main character is Lysander Hawkley, he’s the man who makes husbands jealous. Not is idea to go in business doing just that though, when he fat friend Ferdie (Ferdinand Fitzgerald) stumbles over the concept, Lysander is so much in debt, anything goes really. He begins his reign of terror in the male population of erring husbands starting with a extremely ignored Marigold Lockton. Her husband Larry, chief executive of Catchitune Records soon starts to recognise his wife again as soon as Lysander’s on the scene and all at once, drops his mistress in the city, and again becomes... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful