Nights on the Heights

Nights on the Heights is the second of a trilogy of novels published by Bonaviri from the late sixties to the early seventies - all dealing with exploratory travel, incredible pursuits and strange adventures. Written in an inimitable style, in a language at once archaistic and ultramodern, lyrical and prosaic, this unusual work stands out prominently in the panorama of contemporary Italian narration. Although set primarily in and around Mineo, Sicily - the navel of the author's universe or, as he once called it, his «observatory» - the action spreads radially to other, sometimes distant locations, extending also into the realms of mythology. A cornucopia of true and imagined realities, of ancient and modern philosophy, of primitive and futuristic science, this absorbing, unclassifiable novel now appears in English for the first time.

Autorentext

The Author: «Bonaviri, in Nights on the Heigts, as well as in his other creative works, is still the child who opens his eyes on the world and discovers its marvels, which he then communicates to others in a sort of cosmic brotherhood with all creation. He continues to be fascinated by those thousands of secret voices which come to him from a culture developed over the centuries and which, among contradictions, uncertainties and doubts, reveal to him the secrets of men, animals, rocks and trees - of the stars, of the seas, of the heavens and those of ideas.» - Franco Borrelli, Senior Editor, America Oggi.

Klappentext

Nights on the Heights is the second of a trilogy of novels published by Bonaviri from the late sixties to the early seventies - all dealing with exploratory travel, incredible pursuits and strange adventures. Written in an inimitable style, in a language at once archaistic and ultramodern, lyrical and prosaic, this unusual work stands out prominently in the panorama of contemporary Italian narration. Although set primarily in and around Mineo, Sicily - the navel of the author's universe or, as he once called it, his «observatory» - the action spreads radially to other, sometimes distant locations, extending also into the realms of mythology. A cornucopia of true and imagined realities, of ancient and modern philosophy, of primitive and futuristic science, this absorbing, unclassifiable novel now appears in English for the first time.

Zusammenfassung
"The novel, 'Notti sull'altura', now fortunately available in Bussino's masterly translation, is certainly one of Bonaviri's most significant contributions. It synthesizes and artistically represents the majority of his great themes, not the least of which is that of time ultimately viewed not as an inimical, life-killing force, but one that places man in an eternal cosmic flux." (Franco Zangrilli, Baruch College)
"'Nights on the Heights' is a kaleidoscope of brilliant images and ideas, a glittering star in the firmament of modern Italian letters... in short, a dazzling novel that captures our fantasy and illuminates it." (Francesca Italiano, University of Southern California)
"Giovanni Bussino's translation displays an abundance of compensatory resilience and a probing inventiveness that creates a pleasurable reading experience. While Bonaviri is not an evident candidate for translation due to his clever juxtaposition of coinages and learned polysyllables with scientific, lyrical and archaic lexicon, Bussino has indeed captured his freshness and uniqueness of expression while remaining engaging and lively. His intensity is remarkable and delightful...one is as impressed as with the original...It is hoped that this translation will introduce English readers to one of the least understood authors of this century and stimulate further research." (Franco Ricci, Italica)