The City of the Living

Name: The City of the Living
Brand: Allen & Unwin
SKU: 9781787703995
Price: 41.0 NZD
Availability: InStock

A literary chronicle narrating one of the most vicious crimes in recent Roman history

By Nicola Lagioia

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4.18

( 10,951 ratings, 1,149 reviews)

Summary

The City of the Living by Nicola Lagioia delves into the dark undercurrents of contemporary Rome as it unravels a shocking murder case. The story is a chilling examination of morality, societal decay, and the intricate dynamics between individuals and the city itself. As it navigates through the complexities of human nature, the book provides a gripping exploration of crime and its ramifications.
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Format: Hardback

$41⁰⁰

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~~$45⁰⁰~~

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The City of the Living

$41⁰⁰

Elsewhere:

~~$45⁰⁰~~

Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This gripping narrative by Nicola Lagioia could captivate you if you're intrigued by the complexities of human nature and societal issues. Set against a backdrop of gritty realism, it delves into philosophical and moral questions, making it a thought-provoking read for those interested in exploring the darker facets of modern life. If you appreciate stories that offer a deep dive into arts and culture through a compelling storyline, this book may be for you.

The City of the Living

The spellbinding literary true crime story of one of the most vicious crimes in recent Italian history. A journey into the darkest corners of Rome and of the human soul. Longlisted for the Dublin Literary Award 2025.

Description

For fans of Truman Capote and Emmanuel Carrère.

In March 2016, in an apartment on the outskirts of Rome, two "ordinary" young men brutally tortured and murdered twenty-two-year-old Luca Varani. News of the seemingly inexplicable crime sent shockwaves across Rome and beyond.

After the crime comes to light, Lagioia begins investigating by meeting with the victim's family and corresponding with one of the killers. It soon becomes clear, however, that to investigate this crime means to descend into the darkest corners of Rome and the human psyche.

Lagioia leads us through a maze of betrayed expectations, sexual confusion, economic grievances, and identity crises to locate the breaking point, the point after which anything is possible.

Sharp, hypnotic, devastating, The City of the Living is not just the story of a crime but of human nature itself: the tension between responsibility and guilt, between the drive to oppress and the desire to be free, between who we are and who we can become.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Nicola Lagioia's The City of the Living is praised for its vivid depiction of reality, offering an intense reading experience comparable to the story's own extremity. Reviews highlight its portrayal of a decaying and dark Rome, illustrating the city's grandeur and underlying rot. Critics admire Lagioia's skill in weaving social commentary and vivid imagery into a gripping narrative.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781787703995

Publisher: Europa Editions (UK) Ltd

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 07 September 2023

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Europa Editions (UK) Ltd

Contributors:

Translated by Ann Goldstein
Translated by Ann Goldstein

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 155.0mm

Height: 255.0mm

Weight: 0g

Pages: 456

Collections

Arts & Culture Biography & Memoir Crime & Thriller General Fiction Nicola Lagioia Non-Fiction

About the Author

One of Italy's most critically acclaimed contemporary novelists, Nicola Lagioia has been the recipient of the Volponi, Straniero, and Viareggio awards. In 2015, he won the Strega Prize for Ferocity. He has been a jury member of the Venice Film Festival and is the program director of the Turin Book Fair.

Ann Goldstein has translated into English all of Elena Ferrante's books, including The Story of the Lost Child, which was also shortlisted for the Booker International Prize. She has been honoured with a Guggenheim Fellowship and is the recipient of the PEN Renato Poggioli Translation Award. She lives in New York.