The village of fabrics and 7-7-2007. Latest readings in pink and black

I ended August literarily with these two readings of different shades, pink and black: The village of fabrics, from the German writer Anne jacobs, title of great success this year; Y 7-7-2007, from Italian Antonio Manzini, the fifth installment of the also successful series of the deputy chief Rocco schiavone. These are my Reviews.

Anne jacobs

This author German has posted about 20 novels, between historical and exotic sagas with great success. This title has been her confirmation as a best-selling author and is the first of a trilogy.

We are in Augsburg en 1913. Marie Hoffgartner arrives as a kitchen helper in the great mansion of the Melzer, a wealthy family dedicated to the textile industry. Marie, raised in a orphanage, you will have to make a great effort to coexist with the rest of the service. But she is willful, a quick learner, and as direct as she is discreet in character. However, it also has a unknown past that he will discover as he gains the trust of his masters, especially of the little daughter Kitty, more crazy and dreamy.

The Melzers, with three children very different, they are waiting for the beginning of the new winter dance season, since it will be time to present in society to Kitty. His older sister, more twisted, is the insidious of the family. Y Paul, the eldest and heir, at first walks unconcerned with his life of student in Munich. But when he has to go home and take on more responsibilities at his father's factory, meet Marie and the interest in her is predictably increasing.

A series of secrets and romances will be uncovered in each other's lives, from service members to lords, as they begin to blow winds of war in Europe and the door ends open to a second party.

What I found

I read romance novels every now and then to clear up my usual black blood a bit. And this title was pending. They have compared it above all with television series such as Downton Abbey, which of course is the clearest reference. And it certainly is a great tribute, to the german, to the exquisite BBC series, brainchild of the actor, writer and screenwriter Julian Fellowes. But it remains in that, in a very worthy tribute. I mean, there is nothing new.

All the characters they are recognizable, with echoes also of classics like Jane Eyre, especially in the origins of the protagonist, Marie. The setting is very achieved and also the development of the facts and characters. Also your reading is easy, simple, with the rhythm of the genre, faithful to the events and how the protagonists evolve. But, as I say, they do not surprise and, therefore, do not excite as they should.

La rebel youngest daughter, the envious sister who naturally elicits readers' antipathy, the so responsible older son as determined to follow his heart in love. And then there is the service between scheming and loyal to their lords. Y the gentlemen very in their role, with a certain dark touch for the patriarch and the mother's usual contention and concern for conventions and what they will say.

So maybe because of my blackest tendency I've missed that most real evil which can also be found in the genre. I wanted to believe it a little more, feel more emotion or maybe with more intensity. However, it is a nice read and ideal for summer leisure and the most classic romantic lovers. In addition, being the first in the series, it maintains interest and expands its possibilities.

Antonio Manzini

Born in Roma In 1964, Manzini is, in addition to being a writer, actor and film and theater director. He trained at the Accademia Nazionale d'Arte Drammatica with Andrea Camilleri, the legendary Sicilian writer father of Except Montalbano, who has already affectionately mentioned in his wanderings his moody Roman colleague Rocco Schiavone. He has published other novels and several books of short stories. But it is without a doubt his series dedicated to Deputy Chief Schiavone which has won over critics and readers.

7-7-2007

I had my misgivings with this last title. Back to the past, 10 years before the present moment in the problematic and intriguing situation in which we left Schiavone in Sun of may, I was not very funny. What he wanted was to stay in the present and see how he managed to get out of the mess he was well into. Those misgivings disappeared immediately.

And it is precisely to show the situation well to which this Roman deputy chief of police, exiled to Aosta, edge, rude, brusque, scoundrel and heartbroken that is Rocco schiavone, Manzini decides tell your past. That information is now necessary and thus, in a conversation with his superiors, Schiavone have to throw the sight and the heart behind.

We finally meet Marina after hearing about her, or rather her ghost with whom Rocco speaks in the first person in dialogues full of love as well as loss, tenderness and despair, during the four previous titles. At last we see and listen to her, we know what she was working on, what she was like and his love story with someone as different as Rocco. And we will read, sharing the same moment of horror and pain as Schiavone, the how and why of his tragic death.

Because if something stands out in the composition of these characters is your emotion. Of all. Despite Rocco's unruly character and his darker, rogue sides. Those sides are shared with Brizio, Furio and SebastianoThose friends that are even more rogue but as loyal as they are willing to do anything and to help each other in everything. The moments and conversations between them they are the best. What stands out is the emotion with that so human nuance, so of manners seasoned with that marked Italian character.

We also read about the work of Rocco in Rome, their colleagues and bosses. Y how her life turns upside down when Marina discovers her more than serious tricks and leaves home. Whether or not he will return will be seen throughout history. In the end, we return to the present and are left with a few last pages that have moved me the most in the series.

The Rocco Schiavone series

1. Black track
2. Adam's rib
3. A spring of dogs
4. Sun of may
5. 7-7-2007