Invece, la figura di Maria Rosalia Inzerillo, criata di casa Alfallipe, detta la Mennulara, è molto interessante. Di lei in prima persona sappiamo solo dalle lettere che scrisse, chi ci parla di lei è il paese intero di Roccacolomba. Dal comunista sportello delle Poste, agli esponenti della ricca famiglia degli Alfallipe, il prete, dai padroni ai servi, tutti parlano di lei, chi bene e chi male. E piano piano scopriamo la vita e le vicende di questa "fimmina di panza", spietata amministratrice di grandi fortune, ignorante e coltissima, ricca e povera, frigida e sensuale.
Un racconto corale bellissimo, costruito con piena maestria, pieno di colpi di scena e misteri.
Veramente bello.
Simonetta Agnello Hornby
La Mennulara
Feltrinelli
Euro 7,50
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I didn't know what to expect from this book. I was afraid the description of a typical female character in the Sicilian World of old times would be boring, as an anthropological essay.
Instead, the character of Maria Rosalie Inzerillo, "criata" (servant) in the Alfallipe's house, called "La Mennulara" (the almond picker), is very interesting. First-hand we know of her just from the letters she wrote, who tells about her is the entire town of Roccacolomba. From the communist who works at the counter in the post office, the exponents of the rich family Alfallipe, the priest, from masters to servants, everyone talks about her, who well and who angrily. And page after page we know the life and actions of this "fimmina di panza" (mafia compliment for a woman), ruthless administrator of huge fortunes, ignorant and cultured, rich and poor, frigid and sensual.
A beautiful choral story, written with mastery, full of turn of events and mistery.
Beautiful.
Simonetta Agnello Hornby
The Almond Picker
