A Man of Consequence
Review of the NYRB Classics paperback (September 15, 2020) including an Introduction by [a:Cynthia Zarin|195334|Cynthia Zarin|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] (2020) of a translation by [a:Avril Bardoni|723014|Avril Bardoni|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] first published in [b:Valentino and Sagittarius: Two Novellas|1976370|Valentino and Sagittarius Two Novellas|Natalia Ginzburg|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1558453558l/1976370._SY75_.jpg|1979694] by Henry Holt & Co. (1988) of the Italian language originals [b:Valentino|2241403|Valentino|Natalia Ginzburg|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/book/50x75-a91bf249278a81aabab721ef782c4a74.png|15568278] (1951) and [b:Sagittario|18519323|Sagittario|Natalia Ginzburg|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1578507637l/18519323._SY75_.jpg|169677399] (1957).

We also had to support my student brother whom my father believed was destined to become a man of consequence.

I only recently discovered Sicilian-Italian author Natalia Ginzburg (1916-1991) through a chance sighting on Twitter (see below). After reading [b:Sagittarius|156476984|Sagittarius|Natalia Ginzburg|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1684206703l/156476984._SY75_.jpg|169677399], I then came across [b:The Dry Heart|42268742|The Dry Heart|Natalia Ginzburg|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1541973449l/42268742._SY75_.jpg|1288357], and I was hooked after another 5-star read. I then searched for more and snapped up this combo as the solo edition [b:Valentino|148007671|Valentino|Natalia Ginzburg|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1683135773l/148007671._SY75_.jpg|15568278] wasn't available in Canada. So this is really only a review of the 1st novella.

Valentino doesn't have quite the same impact as my earlier reads of Ginzburg, but it is compelling reading nevertheless. It is the story of a family with a ne'er do well elder son, the Valentino of the title, who is pampered and spoiled by parents who have high hopes for him. They ignore the needs of their daughters as a consequence. Younger sister Caterina is the narrator and we hear how Valentino ends up marrying a rich older woman who can support his desired high-end lifestyle. His own family is disturbed by this and finally realize he has no ambition to fulfill any of their expectations. You know that it isn't going to end happily, but there isn't the tension and suspense of my earlier reads. A 4-star read regardless.

Nothing like this has ever happened in our family before; not one of us has ever done anything just for money.

The excellent introduction by Cynthia Zarin makes mention of Ginzburg often being compared to Chekhov. I can see that, but what especially strikes me is her manner of the emphatic repetition of phrases which cycle through the narrative, reminiscent of Gertrude Stein and early Hemingway. In Valentino it is the regular refrain of "a man of consequence," in place of the "enough and to spare for the village poor" in Sagittarius. I will definitely seek out further Ginzburg.

Trivia and Link

Actor Bill Nighy reading the Daunt Books edition of "Sagittarius" by Natalia Ginzburg. Image sourced from Twitter.