The Almond Picker A Novel,9780312425067

The Almond Picker A Novel

by ;
Edition: Reprint
ISBN13: 9780312425067
ISBN10: 0312425066
Format: Paperback
Pub. Date: 2006-02-21
Publisher(s): Picador
List Price: $23.00

Buy New

Usually Ships in 2-3 Business Days
$22.77
Add to Cart

Rent Book

Select for Price
Add to Cart
There was a problem. Please try again later.

Used Book

We're Sorry
Sold Out

eBook

We're Sorry
Not Available

Buy from our Marketplace starting at $2.29

How Marketplace Works:

  • This item is offered by an independent seller and not shipped from our warehouse
  • Item details like edition and cover design may differ from our description; see seller's comments before ordering.
  • Sellers much confirm and ship within two business days; otherwise, the order will be cancelled and refunded.
  • Marketplace purchases cannot be returned to eCampus.com. Contact the seller directly for inquiries; if no response within two days, contact customer service.
  • Additional shipping costs apply to Marketplace purchases. Review shipping costs at checkout.

Summary

The child of poor farmers, La Mennulara became a maid for a well-to-do local family when she was only a girl; by dint of hard work and intelligence, she became the indispensable administrator of the family's affairs. Still, she was a mere servant, and now (as this story begins) she is dead. As the details unfold about this mysterious woman, The Almond Picker assumes the witty suspense of a thriller, the emotional power of a love story, and the evocative atmosphere of a historical novel. Set in Sicily in the 1960s, a violent, complicated society in the midst of tumultuous change, The Almond Picker is the story of a woman who negotiated for her freedom as no one else dared.

Author Biography

Simonetta Agnello Hornby was born in Palermo, Italy. She finished her law studies in England, where she now lives and where she is a chairman of the Tribunal of Special Educational Needs. This is her first book.

Table of Contents

Monday 23 September 1963
1. Dr. Mendicò attends a dying patient
3(11)
2. On the afternoon of the day of the death, the Alfallipes make some fateful decisions, and Gianni and his sisters spend the night going about their own business instead of holding a vigil
14(6)
3. Massimo Leone rashly celebrates Mennulara's death in his own fashion
20(5)
4. A conversation between brother and sister in the Mendicò home on the day of the death
25(6)
5. On the evening of Mennulara's death, people are discussing it in the porter's lodge of Palazzo Ceffalia
31(10)
6. Lunch in Fatta House
41(6)
7. Signora Fatta's granddaughter is fitted for a dress
47(7)
8. Nuruzza Salviato tells her daughter the story
54(5)
9. Nuruzza Salviato and her husband curse Mennulara
59
Tuesday 24 September 1963
10. Signor Bommarito, the surveyor, does not receive his morning coffee
65(4)
11. At the haberdashery Maricchia Pitarresi learns of Mennulara's death and curses her
69(6)
12. Don Giovannino Pinzimonio recalls the past in the Conversation Club
75(4)
13. Gaspare Risico, a postal clerk and leader of the Roccacolomba branch of the Italian Communist Party, and his wife, Elvira
79(3)
14. The funeral
82(5)
15. Don Paolino Annunziata wets himself for the second time in his life, and again it is Mennulara's fault
87(9)
16. After the funeral, Dr. Mendicò offers the necessary condolences to Santa and converses with Angelo Vazzano, the notary
96(3)
17. Don Giovannino Pinzimonio observes the passiò and reminisces about Mennulara
99(3)
18. Don Giovannino remembers
102(5)
19. In town on the evening of the funeral
107(8)
Wednesday 25 September 1963
20. Contrary to expectations, Mennulara is still the subject of conversation, and Gaspare Risico avenges himself for her insolence by mistreating Carmela Leone
115(8)
21. Massimo Leone punishes his wife for her foolishness
123(2)
22. Father Arena pays a duty call to offer signora Alfallipe his condolences and reproves Lilla Alfallipe for making unseemly proposals
125(6)
23. An afternoon of disagreeable encounters for Pietro Fatta
131(4)
24. Chairman Fatta meditates
135(3)
25. Massimo Leone makes peace with his wife and receives a warning, while the Alfallipe family makes some important decisions
138(3)
26. The Risicos analyse the situation
141(3)
27. Chairman Fatta and his wife have a talk
144(3)
28. Rita Parrino Scotti thinks about the past
147(5)
29. At the musical afternoon in the Parrino home, no one listens to the music, while the talk is of the Alfallipe family and Mennulara
152(3)
30. The menfolk talk business at the United Italy Club
155(12)
Thursday 26 September 1963
31. Father Arena meets Chairman Fatta in the square and they have a granita
167(4)
32. Roccacolomba is puzzled by the additions to Mennulara's death notices
171(4)
33. Lilla tries to make sense of the whole business, recalls events of the past, and ends up agreeing with Mennulara
175(10)
Friday 27 September 1963
34. The post brings the Alfallipes some hopeful news
185(5)
35. Lilla Alfallipe has some pleasant memories of Mennulara
190(9)
Sunday 29 September 1963
36. Lilla Alfallipe and her husband meet Gerlando Mancuso, Mennulara's nephew
199(10)
Monday 30 September 1963
37. The vases return to Roccacolomba
209(3)
38. Meanwhile in Catania, Zurich, and Palermo, Mennulara's last wishes are carried out
212(2)
39. Don Paolino Annunziata is present, so to speak, when the vases arrive at Alfallipe House
214(7)
40. The Masculo family eats overcooked pasta
221(4)
41. Father Arena has an afternoon of many visits
225(13)
42. Monday is a heavy day for the Risicos
238(15)
Tuesday 1 October 1963
43. Another letter from Mennulara arrives at Alfallipe House
253(2)
44. Father Arena calls on signora Alfallipe and sees the destruction of Orazio Alfallipe's collection
255(2)
45. Father Arena takes a long walk with Dr. Mendicò
257(8)
46. Orazio Alfallipe's letter to Pietro Fatta
265(10)
47. In don Vito Militello's lodge, they analyse the situation
275(8)
Wednesday 23 October 1963
48. Don Vincenzo Ancona is rude to his wife
283(11)
49. Don Vincenzo Ancona relives his only encounter with Mennulara
294(9)
50. The thirtieth day after Mennulara's death
303(8)
Epilogue 311(6)
Acknowledgements 317

An electronic version of this book is available through VitalSource.

This book is viewable on PC, Mac, iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, and most smartphones.

By purchasing, you will be able to view this book online, as well as download it, for the chosen number of days.

Digital License

You are licensing a digital product for a set duration. Durations are set forth in the product description, with "Lifetime" typically meaning five (5) years of online access and permanent download to a supported device. All licenses are non-transferable.

More details can be found here.

A downloadable version of this book is available through the eCampus Reader or compatible Adobe readers.

Applications are available on iOS, Android, PC, Mac, and Windows Mobile platforms.

Please view the compatibility matrix prior to purchase.