Lead Review

  • Book: The White Devil
  • Location: Rome
  • Author: Domenic Stansberry

Review Author: tripfiction

Location

Content

3.75*

Voluptuous and sharply delineated in a monochromatic and cinematic format, this is the story of Vicki Wilson and her climb up the slippery pole of marriage, politics and intrigue, with several deaths along the way (mainly men who are close to her). Set in Rome, there is of course a religious aspect, in the form of the perceptive and accusing eye of her first husband’s uncle, who is close to the Pope and unwavering in his assessment of the burgeoning situation between husband numero uno and lovers to come…

Living in Rome with her first rather tedious husband – and now more a Vittoria than a Vicki – she is easily seduced by the power and politics of Senator Paolo Orsini, a corrupt and manipulative politician, who is already married. A wife, however, is no stumbling block as Vittoria and Orsini pursue their goals – unsurprisingly la moglie attuale is found dead in New York.

In the background is Vittoria’s brother Johnny, who is a mover and shaker, and the sibling relationship is intense and perhaps a touch incestuous – this aspect is merely hinted at with the odd suggestive caress or sweeping kiss. She is biddable when he is around.

The story is glamorous, and the political and judicial system in its Italian fluidity is well portrayed. Essentially it is all a bit lugubrious, the characters are unlikeable, but the backdrop of sultry and crumbling Rome lends the whole story a hot and crackling ambience. The story without its well rendered setting would, I think, diminish.

The novel is inspired by the real-life figure of Vittoria Accoramboni, a Renaissance ingénue from fading nobility. This Vittoria was at the heart of an infamous love triangle, involving figures from the Medici and the paper families. The author states that the case of Amanda Knox was also inspiration for his writing.

Overall it feels like this novel is written by a European writer who has drawn inspiration from European celluloid narrative, Cinecittà and the films of old but in written form… add death, politics and religion and you have a festering plot. Will it stay with me? That remains to be seen.

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