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Altai, The Return of Wu Ming

Back Wu Ming, the team of the Bolognese writers jumped to the headlines with the literary event of 1999, the historical novel "Q", set in Germany of the Reformation. And it does settling in this new story in the same period, the sixteenth century, who had already explored in their successful debut.

Altai is a novel that tells of the war in Cyprus, which he saw as opposed to the Republic of Venice and 'Empire of the Ottoman Sultan Selim II. This conflict is seen, however, a third perspective, and that is to say that the Jews to 'era found hospitality by the Sultan (and of course, they were hunted and persecuted by other powers).

The protagonists, Youssef and Emanuele Nasi De Zante from Jews are in fact two very different stories. Rich, educated and always dedicated to the cause of his people, the first devoted his life to finding a promised land for their people.

The second one has a past as a Christian convert and minion of the Serenissima. The betrayal by a high funzonario Venetian has made him a fugitive, and Youssef Nasi, who was recalled to Istanbul, it then reverts to its cultural roots and will make his right arm.

War of Cyprus said. Nasi generously funding the 'company of the Sultan and gets to become king of the land when it will be conquered. He plans to make the new Zion, a place to welcome the Jewish people and anyone in the world will suffer discrimination. We are witnessing the operations of such building, to be born dreams of freedom, the horrors of war and the disappointments of history.

It 's a difficult book but it reads well, the theme is interesting and the prospect said, original. In short, a nice comeback after the partial eclipse of Manituana (summary trial, is that I can not read beyond page 40 ...).

short, "Q" remains unmatched, but recommend it.

The official homepage of Wu Ming Foundation to learn more. The review
Corriere del Veneto, for obvious reasons particularly interested.

Thanks to Max for telling Saudade suggested.