Lies and sorcery

Beginning with the death of Elisa’s guardian, ‘Lies and Sorcery’ recounts this young woman’s attempt to reclaim reality by uncovering the dark details of her family’s tortured and dramatic history. The reader is drawn into a tale, sweeping in scope, of family secrets, of intrigue and treachery, that is also an exploration of political and social injustice. Throughout, Morante’s elegant and elaborate prose, as well as her drive to get at the heart of her characters’ complex motivations and relationships and their all-too self-destructive behaviour hold us spellbound.