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.

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?

It was like a history of Sicily with lots of heart

I liked the innermost thoughts of these people from Sicilian history. I now want to know more.

Loved the writing....

(Kudos to both the author and the translator.) but the story struck me as much ado about...well....very little.... kind of like an extended "waiting for Godot" or "my dinner with Andre". Nonetheless, there's a certain lyrical, beauty to the leopard that is satisfying... and preserves it from intellectual dullness

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.