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Don't Move: A Really Good Book for Adults

Ranked #7,576 in Books, Poetry & Writing, #270,417 overall

Don't Move, by Margaret Mazzantini

I love a book with a quirky point of view, and there is no quirkier POV than second person, where the narrator seems to be addressing the reader. Here are the first sentences of Don't Move:

You ran the stop sign. You had your imitation wolf-skin jacket on, your headset was plugged into your ears, and you never even slowed down.

Of course, here the narrator isn't addressing the reader. We don't find out who he IS addressing for a few pages, and not before the POV shifts twice more, briefly, to omniscient third person, then settles into the first-person voice which is with us the rest of the way.

This is a story about a man and his women—wife, daughter, lover, and sundry others who cross his path throughout. It left me very much up in the air about my feelings toward him, and toward my sex in general. Is this a good man? Is this a bad man? If bad, how bad? Are his sins venial or cardinal? If I met him, would I commiserate with him, or want to punch him in the nose? I really don't know.

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Photo Credit: Don't Move, Margaret Mazzantini
Available on Amazon

“You ran the stop sign...”

About the Author: Margaret Mazzantini

Margaret Mazzantini (b. 1961) is an Italian writer and actress. She has won many awards including the title of Knight Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, which sounds pretty impressive. She is married to filmmaker and actor Sergio Castellitto, who co-wrote, starred in, and directed the film version of Don't Move.

Mazzantini has one of the most eccentric, though engaging, personal web sites I have come across.

Photo Credit: Margaret Mazzantini
on Wikipedia, Creative Commons

Don't Take My Word For It...

Library of Congress, Washington, DC, circa 1900I don't actually review books in this series. Why not? Well, it’s a personal quirk of mine. I don’t like to know much about a book before I read it. I tend to look for recommendations for titles from various places (friends, Top Books of the Year lists, award lists such as the Booker and National Book Awards, and I hope, in time, from some conversations this lens series will produce). So my short essays on these books (at the top of each listing) usually will contain something about the book which has interested me, but without revealing much about the plot or characters. I just want to say to you what I would want someone else to say to me: “Hey, pal, here is a really good book. Read it!”

However, I understand the point of view of those who want to know a little more about a book, and perhaps even want a second opinion on its readability before devoting precious minutes to something that might not pan out (so many books, so little time!). And I do like to read reviews AFTER I have read a good book. So I will provide links to freely available online reviews of these books, from both professional reviewers and just plain folks like you and me.. However, beware of spoiler alerts along the way.

GoodReads is a site that brings together fans of, um, well, good reads. Of course, one person’s “good read” may be another person’s piece o’ junk (which is why I have launched this Squidoo series—in search of people whose taste in reading approaches my own). The last time I checked, GoodReads gave Don't Move 3.58 stars (out of 5 (I gave it 4)), based on 448 ratings. You can also find 50 or more reviews from just plain folks here.

Shannon Bigham at “Curled Up with a Good Book” called this a psychological thriller, which was news to me, but I guess I can see it.

Primarily intended for booksellers, Kirkus Reviews is typically the first publication to review new books before publication. Watch out for this one. It reveals most of the plot, and they also seem to have missed the point: This is a Really Good Book!

Photo Credit: The Library of Congress, Washington, DC, circa 1900
on Flickr, Creative Commons

More Really Good Books

Here is a listing of other pages I have produced so far in this series. I hope to add many more books in the coming weeks, so stay tuned (on Twitter), and Happy Reading!
Introduction to a Really Good Book
This is my introduction to the series. It tells you a little about myself so you can figure out whether or not you want to trust my recommendations! It also includes links to purchase a Kindle and Kindle accessories, as well as a collection of great posters on the theme of Reading.
The Betrayal, by Helen Dunmore
Leningrad after World War II. Love and life under a monster regime.
How Late It Was, How Late, by James Kelman
Oh, Sammy, what have they done to you?!
Duchess of Nothing, by Heather McGowan
"Look at your brother, I tell the boy. . ."
Room, by Emma Donoghue
A boy's best friend...
Pereira Declares, by Antonio Tabucchi
Lemonade, a photograph, and an uncivil war
Desolation, by Yasmina Reza
Sons and fathers, wives and husbands, old friends
Ishmael, by Daniel Quinn
Are you ready to save the world?

A Really Good Shopping Mall

Italy is our Shopping Mall's theme for this title, as our Really Good Book takes place there. As always, The Book Shelf comes first, then treat yourself to some posters, and assorted other goodies with an Italian theme.

Please note: On all Shopping Mall items, prices may vary when you get to the shop in question. When I (or the shop) have posted prices, they are merely our Best Guess at the time of posting.

Arrivederci, Baby!

The Book Shelf

Here are two print versions of Mazzantini's Don't Move, paperback and hardcover, as well as the Kindle version, the DVD of the film version, and a link to her newest novel, Twice Born. Both novels were translated by John Cullen.
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Posters, Italian Style

Please note, prices are subject to change without notice (or at least without my noticing). You will be able to check the current price when you go to the Poster site, before committing to a purchase.

Bridge of Sighs
Bridge of Sighs
24 in. x 36 in.
Buy This at Allposters.com

The famous Bridge of Sighs in Venice.
I love the use of color here. It puts you right into the gondola. $6.99



Romance
Romance
36 in. x 24 in.
Buy This at Allposters.com

Romance on a fantasized Venetian scene. $6.99



Firenze
Firenze
11 in. x 17 in.
Buy This at Allposters.com

A stylized Duomo in Florence. $19.99



National Geographic Italy Executive Style
National Geographic Italian Executive Style
23 in. x 34 in.
Buy This at Allposters.com

Italy, giving the boot to Sicily. No one does a map like National Geographic. $10.99



Dusk Falls on a Hillside Town Overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, Manarola, Cinque Terre, Italy

Dusk Falls on a Hillside Town Overlooking the Mediterranean Sea,
Manarola, Cinque Terre, Italy
Dennis Flaherty
Buy This at Allposters.com

A real estate agent's dream—or nightmare. From $19.99.



Venice Palazzo Da Mula

Venice Palazzo Da Mula
Claude Monet
36 in. x 24 in.
Buy This at Allposters.com

The Impressionist painter Claude Monet's Venice. $9.99.

Italian Apparel

If you don't see a price on some of these, you will when you click on them to go to Amazon.com. You will be able to decide whether to buy at that point.
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Italian Jewelry

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Italian Toys

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Today's Debate: The Consequences of Infidelity

To some, marital infidelity is a capital crime, and its discovery results in the end of the marriage without consideration of mitigating circumstances.

To others, mitigating circumstances should or must be taken into account, with forgiveness and a continuing marriage remaining as an option after discovery.

So here is today's debate question:

If you are (or were) married, would discovering your spouse's infidelity end your marriage, without consideration of mitigating circumstances?

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Yes, my marriage would be over.

I can't say. I would need to know more about the circumstances.

 

What Did You Think?

So, was I right, or was I right? Was this a Really Good Book? Of course, I think it was. But "One man's Mede is another man's Persian."

Here is your chance to thank me profusely for a Really Good Book or tell me I 'm all wet and from now on you'll rely on your cousin Jim for recommendations.

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Reader Response: Post Your Comments

  • ForestBear Mar 19, 2012 @ 2:05 am | delete
    Sounds like a fantastic book. Thank you for sharing
  • mamabush Mar 5, 2012 @ 10:04 am | delete
    Great! I'm looking forward to reading this...thanks for recommending it! :) Blessed by a brand new SquidAngel!
  • dcopps Mar 5, 2012 @ 4:45 pm | delete
    I'm blessed! Thank you!
  • Pastiche Feb 21, 2012 @ 8:42 am | delete
    AHA! Just enough to hook me but no spoiler ... I like your review style. Gotta read and see the film now.
  • LisaAuch Feb 14, 2012 @ 7:22 pm | delete
    I agree this sounds like a fantastic book to read! blessed
  • Ruthi Feb 14, 2012 @ 10:36 am | delete
    You have shared just enough details of "Don't Move" to pique my interest in the book. Like you, I prefer to read book reviews after I have read the book, not before.
  • guardianstar77 Feb 14, 2012 @ 8:37 am | delete
    Wow! What a novel approach to reviewing books; I love it. I hope lots and lots of people find your articles; it should be a great ride!
  • OhMe Feb 14, 2012 @ 6:36 am | delete
    This does sound like A Really Good Book so I will have to check it out. My Kindle is loaded with good reads right now so will come back when I have read through my present list. Welcome to Squidoo! I sure am looking forward to reading more about some Really Good Books. It is nice to meet a friend of Evelyn Saenz.
  • Evelyn_Saenz Feb 14, 2012 @ 5:55 am | delete
    Sounds like a really good book, although I am not sure I would like the main character. Thanks for introducing me to Don't Move. :)
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Table of Contents

  2. About the Author: Margaret Mazzantini
  3. Don't Take My Word For It...
  4. More Really Good Books
  5. A Really Good Shopping Mall
  6. The Book Shelf
  7. Today's Debate: The Consequences of Infidelity
  8. What Did You Think?
  9. Reader Response: Post Your Comments

by

dcopps

I am a Library Manager, blogger, ex-teacher, and tireless searcher-after and reader of Really Good Books.

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