Long ago in a galaxy far away, in a college lit class, I was assigned picaresque novels, novellas really. They are defined as “an episodic style of fiction dealing with the adventures of a rough and dishonest but appealing hero.” I don’t remember anything about the two I read, but I’ve never forgotten the term. It was rekindled by Never Work: The Autobiography of Salvatore Messana by Gianni Giovanelli, translated from Italian and French by Bill Brown, an acquaintance of mine. No one knows if the story is entirely, partly true with embellishments, or complete fiction. It is a quick, smooth read, only 111 pages, the narrator ceasing because he is afraid further account of his crimes would reveal his identity. Errors in the text are few and far between. Whether a reader enjoys the book likely will depend on political persuasion. The far left, I'm sure, would love it. Anyone right of center who doesn’t regard it as comedy will likely hate it. The main character and his cohorts plot to defraud companies whose business practices are deplorable. Are they noble? They seem more selfish louts, anarchists rather than proponents of social justice, although they do make copies of the checks they receive and hand them to co-workers not involved in the scheme, hoping to inspire them to follow suit. I suspect this is designed as a rationale for their thievery, which they freely admit, rather than as a spur to righteous revolution. The scams are fascinating and a bit complex in some cases. This is really a rebellion against the way life works. The background of the protagonist is horrific, but so is that of most of his contemporaries in post WWII Italy. Most workers chose to fall in line and quietly provide for their families. Were they exploited? There is no doubt, in some cases, and the protagonist has only contempt for those who work hard and keep their mouths shut. He is as much an elitist as those he ridicules. Of course, exploitation was common in earlier eras. That has changed dramatically in the western world, no thanks to men like the protagonist. A lot of jobs may remain menial, but workers are well-compensated in salary and benefits, and are free to seek employment elsewhere. I doubt the protagonist would be appeased by these advances. I’m sure he would rather scam than work. Those of good will have and will continue to fight to bring the needed reform to end exploitation. Some will succumb to the temptation of corruption. The characters in this book revel in corruption from the start. On a scale of five, three.
Miguel Tejada, 39, of the Kansas City Royals has been suspended by MLB for 105 games, effectively ending his career, which was highlighted by his 2002 season, when he was named MVP. Ryan Braun of the Milwaukee Brewers, another former MVP, was the first to be suspended this year. Since then, every player has had a Hispanic surname. None of the owners, who profited handsomely from the players use of steroids, has been suspended, and I'm not sure any is Latino.
My thanks to the folks who bought books today on Bay Parkway, and to ATTMP, which sent a royalty check for the sale of an electronic copy of A Hitch in Twilight. I'm embarrassed that I haven't earned more money for my publishers. As a proponent of capitalism, I grudgingly accept the judgment the marketplace has made on my books.
Vic's 4th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/bszwlxh
Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic's Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic's Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic's Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3
Vic’s Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
No comments:
Post a Comment