In the morally confused and polarized atmosphere of a feudal Palermo reeling from the turbulence of the distant yet enveloping French Revolution, two men reflect the contending forces.
Giuseppe Vells is a priest wholly without scruple or conscience, Iusting for celebrity, wealth, a life of ease among the degenerate aristocracy.
No lover of truth, he conceives and forges an ancient Arabic manuscript, ''The Council of Egypt'', to provide fake lineage for barons and justify the domination of Sicily by Naples.
Nor is he above selling his spurious titles and family histories for the right price. Vella's principal opponent is Francesco Di Blasi, a revolutionary lawyer aflame with the incendiary ideas of Voltaire, Rousseau, Diderot and the explosive doctrine embodied in the words Liberty, Fraternity, Equality, Justice.
Readers familiar with Sciascia's previous novels (''Sicilian Uncles'', ''The Wine-Dark Sea'') will not be surprised at this madterly, vivid, unmistakably accurate portrayal of places and historic events.
The two main characters inevitably meet their fated ends as Di Blasi literally loses his head and the devious padre is packed off to prison.
Originally published in 1966 (and long out of print), this robust tale is doubly welcome and cannot help but enhance Sciascia's growing reputation.
Sciascia wrote of his unique Sicilian experience, linking families with political parties, the treachery of alliances and allegiances, and the calling of favors that resort in outcomes that are not for the benefit of society, but of those individuals who are in favor.
Sciascia perhaps, in the end, wanted to prove that the corruption that was and is endemic in Iralian society helps only those who are part of the secret societies and lotalties and the political classes.
Source:Tehran Times