No sé muy bien qué decir. Esta novela tiene prácticamente de todo y todo bueno. Un personaje central, que le da nombre, indudablemente atractivo: la clásica mujer que de la más absoluta miseria ha llegado a controlar todo su entorno incluso después de muerta sin dejar nunca de ser una "criata". Una presentación técnica impecable: empezamos en el momento de la muerte de la protagonista (los ecos de García Márquez son claros) y, aparentemente, la novela transcurre de forma lineal en los días siguientes, pero en realidad los saltos hacia atrás son constantes. Una trama que te mantiene verdaderamente interesado, no solo por saber cómo llegó la "recogedora de almendras" a acumular tanto poder, sino por descifrar las verdaderas relaciones entre los diferentes personajes, que casi nunca son lo que parecen. Un escenario no menos atractivo: un pueblo de la Sicilia de los años 60, donde ya los viejos nobles no detentan el poder, pero aún se les mantiene el respeto y donde la mafia impone su voluntad sin necesidad de grandes alardes. Y el doble nivel de ricos y pobres, absolutamente clásico, con esa impresionante y eficacísima "red social" que son los cotilleos en ambos niveles. Algunos toques sociales y directamente costumbristas (incluyendo algún comunista o alusiones a la comida), escenas eróticas cuando son necesarias, alguna violencia dispersa y los casi obligados giros argumentales inesperados, en verdad muy eficaces. Mi abuela decía que para hacer una buena comida solo hacían falta buenos ingredientes, y este es el caso. Pero, al final, uno cree que algo le falta. El guiso hubiera debido ser todavía más delicioso. A esta novela le falta un puntito (pequeño) de ligazón, de transmitir al final algún mensaje y no limitarse a describir una vida, por muy hábilmente que se haga. ( )

I listened to the Italian version on Audible, and enjoyed the story very much. It is a sad story, as many that deal with the world of the poor peasants in southern Italy in the early 60s, but superbly told. I enjoyed the language, the colourful language and descriptions, and bought then a copy for my sisters to read.
The only thing I didn't enjoy is the audio: in some parts, the audio is made faster, so that the words are so close together (a bit like some radio ads, when they squeeze the message to save costly on-air time), and it sounded really odd. Then, chapter 46 interrupts in the very middle of a sentence, so that a piece of the narrative is missing, and these are the reasons why the book gets only 4 stars.
If you understand Italian, don't buy the Audible version... get a printed copy, or a digital one, instead. ( )

Maria Rosalia Inzerillo, otherwise known as Mennulara, is a mystery. Born into poverty in Western Sicily, she grew up picking almonds with her farming family. As soon as she was of age, Mennulara became the maid for the rich and powerful Alfallipe family. Over time, she became an indispensable administrator of all their affairs, financial and even personal. She had a talent for investments and became a shrewd businesswoman. Rumors surrounded Mennulara: her wealth, her position in the Alfallipe family, even her rumored connections with the mafia. In life, Mennulara was described as outspoken, brash, brave, rude, unique, bad tempered, devoted, dignified, diffident, distant, unpleasant, imperious, ugly, beautiful, complex, secretive, a tyrant. When she dies at a relatively young age the entire community clamors for answers. Who was this woman? How odd that a seemingly common servant's death would reverberate through the Italian community and no group is more obsessed than the Alfallipe family. Convinced she owes them her inheritance and then-some, they scheme and squabble to find it. The final outcome is brilliant.
Starting on Monday, September 23rd, 1963 The Almond Picker documents a month in time. The accounts are daily (skipping Saturday, September 28th, 1963)until October 1st, 1963 with a final entry on October 23rd of that same year. ( )

L'un de ces romans à facettes... multiples... une belle trouvaille. ( )

An intriguing tale, although, because of the unfamiliar names I found the large cast of characters a little confusing. Nonetheless a very satisfying read. ( )