I’m Bravo. And I don’t have a dick.
It’s one hell of a sentence to start a novel. It’s both, a nickname under which main character goes by and a physical defect that haunts him throughout the novel and which, after all, is the motive that drives him. Because he doesn’t use his real name, nickname allows him to live in shadows. Undisturbed.
Italy, 1978. The year when Europe (and the world) trembled before names such as Carlos the Jackal, the Baader-Meinhoff group, the Red Brigades. The Prime Minister of Italy, Aldo Moro, is missing. The infamous Red Brigades took responsibility for it, airing the footage of captive Aldo. And while Italy is in shock, followed by a tense political situation, Bravo moves through Milano's criminal underworld. He's a small fish, a little pimp who has a small, but handpicked group of girls he works with, and some big names for clients. As such, he is almost unnoticed in the criminal milieu. In fact, many know about him, but no one touches him because Bravo stays out of trouble. Thanks to his reputation, Bravo is able to spin a cunning plan, which can cost him his life if it goes wrong.
However, Bravo has no idea that others are making plans as well. The kind of plans that involve him and they’re not going to end well for him. As it usually happens, the problems for Bravo begin with the beautiful Carla walking into his life. As Bravo unwraps the tangle of the mystery, he suddenly finds himself in, he realizes how deeply stuck he is, and very quickly, Bravo becomes the most wanted man in Italy. For a moment, Italy forgets about the unfortunate Aldo Mora in captivity.
Giorgio Falleti narrates the story in the first person, and quite reminiscent of noir novels like those of Raymond Chandler and does it very well and contagiously if I may say. Every page makes you turn the next one, every chapter read asks for a new one. Falleti's story is complex, multilayered, and Bravo is a character that grows on you after the first chapter. You're not judging him for being a pimp, but cheering for him as he tries to get himself out of troubles he’s in.

http://vivereinunlibro.blogspot.it/2011/11/recensione-appunti-di-un-venditore-di.html

Sono stata un po' indecisa sul giudizio da dare a questo libro, un po' poche le 3 stelline, forse troppe le 4, poi, sull'onda di un certo sentimentalismo dovuto al fatto che di un po' degli eventi che Faletti usa in questa trama ho vissuto i contraccolpi, ho deciso per le 4.
Il libro ha un inizio un po' lento, a dispetto di una prima frase esplosiva, e qualche concessione di troppo al deus ex machina, però descrive bene l'atmosfera degli anni del terrorismo e certi intrecci di cui si ha la certezza morale, se non quella processuale, tra stato, mafia e terrorismo
Il personaggio di Bravo è decisamente intrigante, e sono molto ben descritti gli accoliti della banda armata, che rispecchiano quelli che ho avuto la ventura di conoscere.
Ci sono ancora un po' di sbavature nella lingua italiana, per cui si consiglia all'editor di sorvegliare più attentamente il suo pupillo.

Non il migliore lavoro di Faletti, ma nemmeno il peggiore.

Ogni tanto si ha la sensazione che un po' troppe cose stiano succedendo non per caso. Sembra un eccessivo deus ex machina. Alcune poi vengono spiegate, altre sono un po' tirate per i capelli.

Non ho visuto in prima persona la vicenda di Aldo Moro (ero troppo piccolo), ma mi pare forse eccessivo l'attaccamento emotivo del protagonista.

Ultimo difetto: spesso i "flashback/flashforward" non sono chiaramente distinguibili. Diverse volte mi sono trovato a chiedermi "ma ho saltato qualche pagina? O è impaginato male il libro?"

In compenso la trama è interessante, l'intreccio intrigante e qualche colpo di scena tiene viva l'attenzione.

I didn't know what to expect when I picked up this book at the library, but since it was written by an Italian and takes place in Italy, I knew I had to read it. It really was not like anything I've read before. The characters were well defined and the story was compelling. The resolution was a real twist that I didn't expect at all. Add in a very nice happy ending after a lot of bloodshed, misery, and suspense, and I felt very satisfied when I finished it and put it down.

My biggest complaint is that I have a feeling that a lot was lost in the translation. I never really felt like I was in Italy, in contrast to Camilleri's Montalbano books where I feel as though I can hear the language being spoken & can see the gestures & mannerisms. So the writing felt uneven and the atmosphere wasn't up to par. I suspect that this is the fault of the translator and not the original author.

3.25

4.5*
È il primo libro di Faletti che leggo ed è stata un'esperienza più che positiva. Ingrana un pó a fatica ma poi il racconto è capace di prenderti e non lasciarti andare mai più.

this has got to be one of my top books. simply impossible to put down; giorgio faletti has done a fantastic job at conjuring twists, maintaining a solid, steady pace and creating smart, interesting characters. what more is that it's set in late 1970's milan: a place of crime and enjoyment. right from the start, i couldn’t help but fall in love with everything about 'a pimp’s note'. even now, thinking about the story itself just leaves me breathless. bravo, bravo, bravo!