Sicilian Twilight [Hardcover]

Gérard Gefen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2001

This beautiful and fascinating book is about the eccentric, high living, cultivated and mostly idle Sicilian nobility that was immortalized by Guiseppe di Lampedusa in his best selling book "The Leopard". Old photographs, period documents, especially photographed grand palaces, landscapes, the accoutrements of daily life- jewels, dresses, tableware, succulent food-all contribute towards a vivid visualization of the world Lampedusa came from and wrote about. Until the end of the 18th century, the Sicilian nobility conserved the ownership or at least the sovereignty over their entire island paradise. They spent their large incomes on making a bella figure at the Bourbon court in Palermo, in receiving their peers in the most lavish style possible in gambling, womanizing, attending the opera, promenading in elegant carriages, and maintaining not only grand palaces in town, but equally extravagant and formal villas in the countryside. Theirs was also a world of elaborate religious processions, marriages and funerals, glittering parties and balls until well into the 20th century, when the ratio of servants to population was the same as in Louis XIV's France. But finally war, revolution and idleness brought the Leopards to extinction. Everybody who loves Italy, Sicily, Lampedusa and decadence will be enchanted by this wonderful book.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Gerard Gefen has a thorough knowledge of Italy and Sicily in particular, and is author of Composers ' Houses published by The Vendome Press.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 182 pages
• Publisher: Vendome Press (September 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 086565221X
• ISBN-13: 978-0865652217
• Product Dimensions: 12.5 x 9.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,121,740 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The cultivated and decadent lifestyle of Sicilian nobility, September 8, 2001

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sicilian Twilight (Hardcover)

Sicilian Twilight: The Last Leopards is a coffee table history book showcasing the cultivated and decadent lifestyle of Sicilian nobility who were absolute lords of their domain down to the waning years of the 18th century. Gerard Gefen's meticulous research and narrative skills provide an informative, insightful, engaging test which is superbly enhanced and documented by the photography of Jean-Bernard Naudin. Among the 275 illustrations (with 182 being in full color), there are period documents and 19th century photographs, as well as new photos of gardens, palaces, jewels, table settings, and other luxury items typical of the daily life of Sicilian nobility. Sicilian Twilight is very highly recommended reading and would make an excellent "Memorial Fund" acquisition for both academic and community library collections.