Overview

The Beati Paoli's unrelenting campaign to restore justice is compromised by an act of betrayal and a plot that threatens its very existence. Set against the backdrop of the island's increasing disillusionment with its new rulers from Savoy and a yearning for the return of the formerly detested Spanish monarchy, book two ofSicilian Avengerscontinues as the future of the House of Albamonte hangs in the balance and the survival of the Beati Paoli is threatened. Shifting allegiances, brutal reprisals, tortures, and kidnappings occur as the Beati Paoli's efforts to restore a usurped patrimony to its rightful owner is compromised by an act of betrayal. As they race to complete their mission, they must also thwart the diabolical plans of the villainous Don Raimondo and the evil Matteo Lo Vecchio, and deal with the wavering loyalty of one of the sect's newest recruits. Blasco de Castiglione finally discovers his true identity, which tests his sense of justice, honor, and fidelity to the people he knows, trusts, and loves: Duke Don Raimondo, whom he has pledged to protect; the beautiful and alluring Donna Gabriella, who has captured his heart; his friend and protector, the enigmatic Coriolano della Floresta; and the young and nave Violante, whose love is within reach yet out of bounds. Translated into English for the first time by Stephen Riggio, Luigi Natoli's saga brings early eighteenth-century Palermo into vivid relief, where Sicilian aristocrats enjoy their soirees and luxuries while the poor and destitute scrounge for food in the dark and filthy streets. Nowhere is the contrast more shocking and wrenching than in the scrupulous depiction of the auto-da-f. Readers will become immersed in a Sicily that is long gone but whose glorious and troubled past echoes in these pages. As French critic Jean Nol Schifano said, Natoli's novel is ""the fifth historical monument of contemporary Italian literature."" Book 2 of 2 includes an afterword by Umberto Eco.

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9781635769463

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Reviews

“Sicilian Avengersis an astonishing work of historical fiction. Early eighteenth-century Sicily is vividly rendered in this page-turning, edge of your seat tale of the secret sect of The Beati Paoli. It’s a riveting story full of adventure and romance, intrigue and treachery. Think Dumas’sCount of Monte Cristomeets Hilary Mantel’sWolf Hall. The characters are unforgettable, as are the meticulous descriptions of life in the ancient capital of Palermo. I know Sicily and can assure you that readingSicilian Avengerswill make you want to run there. It has been a joy to discover Stephen Riggio’s translation of Luigi Natoli’s monumental novel.”—Jo Piazza, bestselling author of The Sicilian Inheritance  ""[Sicilian Avengers] is an immersive wonder—Riggio’s translation maintains the richness of the earlier era, evoking the romances of Walter Scott and Alexander Dumas. . . . Lovers of a certain vintage of adventure will be grateful for this newly translated classic. A sweeping, swashbuckling epic."" —Kirkus Reviews “This superb translation of Luigi Natoli’s I Beati Paoli is a monumental achievement of a long neglected work. Steve Riggio has done a masterful job, bringing to life this epic tale. It is truly a labor of love and his passion for the project is visible on nearly every page. And a brilliant afterword by Umberto Eco adds to the pleasure of reading this gripping story. Discover this rich and powerful saga—you will be more than happy you did.” —Lorenzo Carcaterra, bestselling author of Sleepers and the Nonna Maria mystery series “The brilliant Stephen Riggio has translated The Beati Paoli, the sprawling, lush history of an 18th century Sicilian royal family at a crossroads. The story of evil Don Raimondo and the secret society formed to bring him to justice is a page turner. Sicilian blood ties, vendettas, romance, and pageantry unspool against a backdrop of the people’s fight for honor and freedom. Riggio’s translation captures the complexities of life on Italy’s treasure island and the human suffering that carved a path for change in Sicily. Bravo!”    —Adriana Trigiani, bestselling author of The Good Left Undone “Stephen Riggio's translation of Luigi Natoli's thrilling historical masterpiece is brilliantly done. This action-packed story, filled with secrets, betrayals, murder, retribution and the shadowy Beati Paoli reads like the Sicilian cousin of The Three Musketeers—it's exciting, accessible, and perfect for fans of Mario Puzo, John Dickie, and Peter Robb.”  —Jill Santopolo, bestselling author of Stars in an Italian Sky “Stephen Riggio's translation of Sicilian Avengers, a novel by Luigi Natoli that has not appeared in English until now, is a monumental addition to the canon of world classic literature. Riggio expertly brings to life the epic story of the Beati Paoli, who fought for justice in Sicily, and Sicilian Avengers is a swashbuckling adventure story, a heart-pounding romance, and a riveting historical thriller. I rooted for its hero and other unforgettable characters on every page, and I couldn't put it down. Sicilian Avengers is a compulsively readable story, relatable at an intimate and profoundly human level, and even has the majestic sweep of Dumas and Cervantes. Bravissimo, Stephen!”  —Lisa Scottoline, bestselling author of The Truth about the Devlins and Loyalty

"“Sicilian Avengersis an astonishing work of historical fiction. Early eighteenth-century Sicily is vividly rendered in this page-turning, edge of your seat tale of the secret sect of The Beati Paoli. It’s a riveting story full of adventure and romance, intrigue and treachery. Think Dumas’sCount of Monte Cristomeets Hilary Mantel’sWolf Hall. The characters are unforgettable, as are the meticulous descriptions of life in the ancient capital of Palermo. I know Sicily and can assure you that readingSicilian Avengerswill make you want to run there. It has been a joy to discover Stephen Riggio’s translation of Luigi Natoli’s monumental novel.”—Jo Piazza, bestselling author of The Sicilian Inheritance  ""[Sicilian Avengers] is an immersive wonder—Riggio’s translation maintains the richness of the earlier era, evoking the romances of Walter Scott and Alexander Dumas. . . . Lovers of a certain vintage of adventure will be grateful for this newly translated classic. A sweeping, swashbuckling epic."" —Kirkus Reviews “This superb translation of Luigi Natoli’s I Beati Paoli is a monumental achievement of a long neglected work. Steve Riggio has done a masterful job, bringing to life this epic tale. It is truly a labor of love and his passion for the project is visible on nearly every page. And a brilliant afterword by Umberto Eco adds to the pleasure of reading this gripping story. Discover this rich and powerful saga—you will be more than happy you did.” —Lorenzo Carcaterra, bestselling author of Sleepers and the Nonna Maria mystery series “The brilliant Stephen Riggio has translated The Beati Paoli, the sprawling, lush history of an 18th century Sicilian royal family at a crossroads. The story of evil Don Raimondo and the secret society formed to bring him to justice is a page turner. Sicilian blood ties, vendettas, romance, and pageantry unspool against a backdrop of the people’s fight for honor and freedom. Riggio’s translation captures the complexities of life on Italy’s treasure island and the human suffering that carved a path for change in Sicily. Bravo!”    —Adriana Trigiani, bestselling author of The Good Left Undone “Stephen Riggio's translation of Luigi Natoli's thrilling historical masterpiece is brilliantly done. This action-packed story, filled with secrets, betrayals, murder, retribution and the shadowy Beati Paoli reads like the Sicilian cousin of The Three Musketeers—it's exciting, accessible, and perfect for fans of Mario Puzo, John Dickie, and Peter Robb.”  —Jill Santopolo, bestselling author of Stars in an Italian Sky “Stephen Riggio's translation of Sicilian Avengers, a novel by Luigi Natoli that has not appeared in English until now, is a monumental addition to the canon of world classic literature. Riggio expertly brings to life the epic story of the Beati Paoli, who fought for justice in Sicily, and Sicilian Avengers is a swashbuckling adventure story, a heart-pounding romance, and a riveting historical thriller. I rooted for its hero and other unforgettable characters on every page, and I couldn't put it down. Sicilian Avengers is a compulsively readable story, relatable at an intimate and profoundly human level, and even has the majestic sweep of Dumas and Cervantes. Bravissimo, Stephen!”  —Lisa Scottoline, bestselling author of The Truth about the Devlins and Loyalty"

“Sicilian Avengersis an astonishing work of historical fiction. Early eighteenth-century Sicily is vividly rendered in this page-turning, edge of your seat tale of the secret sect of The Beati Paoli. It’s a riveting story full of adventure and romance, intrigue and treachery. Think Dumas’sCount of Monte Cristomeets Hilary Mantel’sWolf Hall. The characters are unforgettable, as are the meticulous descriptions of life in the ancient capital of Palermo. I know Sicily and can assure you that readingSicilian Avengerswill make you want to run there. It has been a joy to discover Stephen Riggio’s translation of Luigi Natoli’s monumental novel.”—Jo Piazza, bestselling author of The Sicilian Inheritance

Author Information

Luigi Natoli (1857–1941) born in Palermo, was a teacher, journalist, and historian. His rich literary output included the publication of thirty-one adventure and historical novels, most published in serial form under the pseudonym William Galt, including I Beati Paoli. Stephen Riggio is the former chief executive officer of Barnes & Noble. For over forty years he was a key leader transforming the single flagship New York location into a national retailer that expanded into e-commerce, book publishing and video games. Riggio has served on the boards of the National Book Foundation, the National Down Syndrome Society, and is a founding member of the AHRC New York City Foundation Board. He and his wife live in New York City.

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