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The American

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The American

By: Martin Booth
Narrated by: Ralph Cosham
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Summary

The locals in the southern Italian town where he lives call him Signor Farfalla - Mr. Butterfly - for he is a discreet gentleman who paints rare butterflies. His life is inconspicuous: mornings are spent brushing at a canvas, afternoons idling in the cafés, and evenings talking with his friend, the town priest, over a glass of brandy.

Yet there are other sides to this gentleman’s life: Clara, the young student who moonlights in the town bordello, and another woman, who arrives with $100, 000 and a commission - but not for a painting of butterflies.

With this assignment returns the dark fear that has dogged Signor Farfalla’s mysterious life. Almost instantly, he senses a deadly circle closing in on him, one which he may or may not elude.

Part thriller, part character study, part drama of deceit and self-betrayal, The American shows Martin Booth at the very height of his powers.

(Previously published as A Very Private Gentleman.)

©2004 Martin Booth (P)2010 Blackstone Audio, Inc. Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Fiction Italy
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Critic reviews

“Booth constructs his most focused, tightly written novel to date, reminiscent of William Trevor’s classic Felicia’s Journey and the late Patricia Highsmith’s Ripley novels.” ( Publishers Weekly)
“Booth has created a rich, conflicted antihero whose clever rationalizations mask a soul weary with self-doubt…making us question our own moral values." ( Boston Globe)
“Haunting, shocking, and tense…Crisp yet lyrical, simple yet intelligent.” ( Booklist)
All stars
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Not sure why the title was changed.... well I do and it's because of the film that was adapted from the book starring George Clooney. An American. However, this novel is resoundingly English and the primary character is referenced as such.

That aside, even if you have seen the film, give it a go. It's well paced, although not fast, and an easy listen.

The American?

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Having seen the film, I thought it would be great to read/hear the story. Being a fan of all things Italian , I was hopeful the story wouldn't disappoint.
Well the narrator reads perfectly and the story although slow moving is poetic in it's beauty . It is so engrossing time floats by and you feel saturated in Italian village life and the underlying 'thriller'.
Having read many many books and having converted to ' audible' this is by far the best story and narrative I have listened to, feeling I now know both the main characters and the wonderful locations. Molto Fantastico !

A wonderful narrative !

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What a remarkable book!! I hate that they changed the title, but I love that they did because I may not have read it if they had not! A story much deeper than the movie, with a lot more insight into a man who made such deadly weapons, his life and little quirks that made him the human being as well as a ‘shadow dweller.’ Ralph Cosham’s voice and accents had me enthralled I could not stop listening and at once puts a different face on the main character other than Mr Clooney’s. (No offence Mr Clooney.)

Martin Booth created an amazing little piece here, with insight and depth that I feel sure must be someplace near the truth during the times it was written and even today; if you swap some of the lesser technologies to more modern ones. The description of Italy was beautiful I was walking down those little streets, sitting in the Piazzas, sipping Espresso and smelling the lemons on the trees in a sleepy Italian town that seemed to carry on as though the rest of the world did not exist. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys books such as ‘The Day of the Jackal’ and wondered of the life of the Gunsmith these assassins buy their tools from. Descriptive, exciting, well written and well told. This is a great audio book.

Americans!

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Quite different from the film adaptation, nevertheless just as poetic.
Enjoyed it every bit. Would have preferred more chapter separations.

Absolutely gorgeous!

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a brilliantly written book and worthwhile read, as usual much better than the film.............excellent

a classic

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