Novel set in MALTA
Novel set in 1970s MAREMMA region (Tuscany)
3rd November 2026
The Witch’s Mouth by Sacha Naspini, novel set in 1970s Maremma Region (Tuscany).
TR: Clarissa Botsford
Bardo is a wily character, a professional raider of Etruscan tombs. He has a network that even stretches as far as America, selling his ill-gotten wares, but he and his gang are, of course, not the only traders to slide out valuable artefacts into the world and into well renowned institutions. His business brings wealth to the Maremma region and many profit from what he does. However, it is not always positive.
He marries Elisa, much to the disgruntlement of other women in the community, an odd choice, but life seems equitable until a trauma occurs, sending their lives into a spin.
As Bardo starts to relinquish control of his black market empire, his son Giovanni (also confusingly referred to as Veleno) takes the reins and he simply doesn’t have the wherewithal to run operations as efficiently as his father. Gang members resort to guns and “Packing a gun can only lead to one thing: firing it.”
The mythology behind the book’s title is interestingly revealed, buried in the lores of the area.
I enjoyed reading this novel with an unusual subject at its heart. The translation, however, left me a little non-plussed at times, there were phrases/sentences when I was unsure of the meaning, and little issues like: a plan …”consisted in three steps” isn’t a term with which I am familiar (American, perhaps, as in UK English it would be “to consist of”?). The gangs are referred to as “bands’ (Italian is una banda), which to my mind has a more musical connotation than a mob of men intent on carrying out various missions. You can, also, at times, hear the Italian clattering along in the background, and a little extra proof-reading would not have come amiss (someone got shot in the ‘keens” which should be “knees”.).
As always with this publisher – Europa Editions – the books is beautifully styled and produced, a nice weight, great cover design and French flaps, it feels like real quality.
There is a good sense of the Italian locale and the community.
Overall, an interesting and unusual read.
Tina for the TripFiction Team
#ADPR – with thanks to the publisher for an early copy
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