This post is bilingual, scroll down for the English language version
Título original: Ad occhi chiusi (Sellerio, 2003). Traducción de Maria Antonia Menini, 2007. 1ª edición en books4pocket julio 2011. 256 páginas. ISBN: 978-84-15139-05-8.
Me encanta el título en italiano de este libro, Ad occhi chiusi. Me parece muy sugerente. El segundo en la serie de Guido Guerrieri. La acción se desarrolla en Bari, donde ejerce como abogado penalista. Divorciado, vive solo, manteniendo una relación sentimental con Margherita. De vez en cuando se pierde en pensamientos sobre el significado de la vida. Guerrieri tiene un saco de boxeo para relajarse en casa, y disfruta de los libros, del cine y de la música. Me parece un tipo interesante. Me gustaría conocerlo y charlar sobre nuestros intereses comunes. Podríamos llegar a ser buenos amigos.
En esta ocasión, Guerrieri acepta un caso de violencia de género. Un caso difícil que puede incluso costarle la licencia. El acusado es el hijo de un importante juez local y la víctima no puede encontrar un abogado que la represente. Pero Guerrieri no puede resistirse al atractivo de una causa perdida.
La historia, poderosa y bien construida, está narrada en primera persona por el protagonista. El libro está considerado en ocasiones como un thriller legal, aunque me inclino a pensar que se puede describir mejor como un drama judicial. Carofiglio, por su formación, ofrece una oportunidad para conocer el sistema judicial italiano. El caso en sí ocupa sólo unos pocos capítulos, el resto del libro describe la vida privada de Guerrieri, sus preocupaciones y sus intereses. El tema de fondo, un asunto delicado, está tratado con sensibilidad y con buen gusto. Espero que libros como éste nos abran los ojos sobre este problema. Altamente recomendado.
Mi valoración: 5 de 5.
Gianrico Carofiglio (Bari 1961) ha sido fiscal antimafia en Bari, capital de la región de Puglia, en la costa del Mar Adriático al sur de Italia. En el periodo 2007-2008 fue asesor del Comité de lucha contra la mafia en el Parlamento italiano en Roma y en 2008 fue elegido senador por el Partido Demócrata. Ha escrito y publicado varios artículos y ensayos sobre este tema específico.
Carofiglio es también un novelista de éxito, su primera novela Testimone inconsapevole (Testigo involuntario), 2002, tiene como personaje principal al abogado defensor Guido Guerrieri. El libro se convirtió pronto en un bestseller y obtuvo varios premios literarios. Ad occhi chiusi (Con los ojos cerrados), 2003, es el segundo de la serie que ha continuado con Ragionevoli dubbi (Dudas razonables), 2006 y Le perfezioni provvisorie (Las perfeciones provisionales), 2010.
- Gianrico Carofiglio página web(en italiano)
- Guido Guerreri – Gianrico Carofiglioen Mis detectives favorit@s
- Ediciones Plata
- books4pocket
A Walk in the Dark by Gianrico Carofiglio
I love the Italian title of this book, Ad occhi chiusi. I find it much more suggestive. The second one in the Guido Guerrieri series. The action takes place in Bari, where he is a practicing criminal lawyer. Divorced, he lives alone while keeping a relationship with Margherita. Occasionally he gets lost in thoughts about the meaning of life. Guerrieri has a punching bag to relax at home, and enjoys books, cinema and music. He seems an interesting guy. I would like to meet him and chat about our common interests. We could end up being good friends.
On this occasion Guerrieri accepts a case of violence against women. A difficult one who may even cost him his licence. The defendant is the son of a powerful local judge and the victim can’t find a lawyer to represent her. But Guerreri cannot resist the appeal of a hopeless cause.
The story, powerful and well-constructed, is narrated in the first person by the main character. The book is sometimes considered a legal thriller, although I’m inclined to think that it is best described as a courtroom drama. Carofiglio, given his background, provides an opportunity to gain insight into the Italian judicial system. The case itself takes up a few chapters only, the rest of the book describes Guerrieri’s private life, his concerns and his interests. The underlying theme, a delicate subject, is treated with sensitivity and good taste. I hope that books like this will open our eyes to this issue. Highly recommended.
My rating: 5 out of 5.
Gianrico Carofiglio (Bari 1961) has been an anti-Mafia public prosecutor in Bari, main town of the southern region of Puglia, on the coast of the Adriatic Sea. In 2007-2008 he was advisor of the anti-Mafia Committee in the Italian Parliament in Rome and in 2008 he has been elected Senator with the Democratic Party. He has written and published several articles and essays in this specific field.
A successful novelist as well, Carofiglio first novel Testimone inconsapevole (Involuntary Witness), 2002, introduces a defence lawyer as the main character, Guido Guerrieri. The book became an immediate bestseller and obtained several literary awards. Ad occhi chiusi (A Walk in the Dark), 2003 the second in the series was followed by Ragionevoli dubbi (Reasonable Doubts), 2006 and Le perfezioni provvisorie (Temporary Perfections), 2010.
A Walk in the Dark has been reviewed by Bernadette at Reactions to Reading, Karen at Euro Crime, Glenn at International Noir Fiction, Maxine at Petrona, Dorte at Djskrimiblog, Sharon Wheeler at Reviewing the evidence, Peter at Detectives Beyond Borders.
A Crime is Afoot 
It’s wonderful when you can imagine being friends with a character in a novel isn’t it?
It’s a great feeling, Bernadette.
José Ignacio – Thanks for the excellent review. I’m especially intrigued by the courtroom angle. I always like learning when I read, and it would be interesting to learn something about the Italian legal system.
Thanks for the compliment, Margot, It’s very encouraging..
Thank you for the link. I didn´t even remember I had read this one because I didn´t recognize the English title.
You are welcome Dorte. Know what you mean, it’s quite easy to get mixed up with all the different book titles.