zefrog's review
3.0
This is definitely for the fans of Mapp and Lucia. Borrowing many of the characteristic of Benson's books, Mackenzie presents us with his own version of Tilling.
This time however we are presented with the sun-baked Edwardian macrocosm of Sirene, an imaginary Italian island based on Capri, which the author (and Benson himself) frequented.
Gossip, rivalries and dirty tricks are staples for the small group of upper-middle class foreigners who have made a home for themselves on the island.
The problem with social satire is that it has to deal in caricature, and, while Mackenzie's pen is perhaps a little less heavy the Benson's, we still end up with a collection of rather foolish characters, pretty much all of whom impossible to actually like. Another marked difference with Benson is the darker turn progressively taken by the story, and the more serious nature of some of the themes Mackenzie broaches in his narrative (war, drugs, homophobia, etc).
Still, despite much use of untranslated languages (Italian, French and a lot Latin quotations) which could be an issue for some, the writing flows beautifully in an old-fashioned and flowery kind of way and the reader remains thoroughly entertained throughout. Très divertissant. Mi piace.
This time however we are presented with the sun-baked Edwardian macrocosm of Sirene, an imaginary Italian island based on Capri, which the author (and Benson himself) frequented.
Gossip, rivalries and dirty tricks are staples for the small group of upper-middle class foreigners who have made a home for themselves on the island.
The problem with social satire is that it has to deal in caricature, and, while Mackenzie's pen is perhaps a little less heavy the Benson's, we still end up with a collection of rather foolish characters, pretty much all of whom impossible to actually like. Another marked difference with Benson is the darker turn progressively taken by the story, and the more serious nature of some of the themes Mackenzie broaches in his narrative (war, drugs, homophobia, etc).
Still, despite much use of untranslated languages (Italian, French and a lot Latin quotations) which could be an issue for some, the writing flows beautifully in an old-fashioned and flowery kind of way and the reader remains thoroughly entertained throughout. Très divertissant. Mi piace.
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