The Smell of Almonds
“The Smell of Almonds” is the debut novel of Francis Formicola, a flowing and pleasant read that allows the reader to imagine the development of dialogues and situations. It starts with the murder of a drug dealer, serving as a mere pretext for the personal evolution of Luca, a fifty-year-old criminal lawyer. The author describes him as disenchanted and rational.
INSIGHTS
A serendipitous encounter “in a squalid court” with Giulia, a beautiful, charming, and spontaneous woman, marks the beginning of Luca’s transformation. The simple and direct narrator guides the reader through a journey rich in descriptions of smells and flavors, taking them from Naples to Pachino and ultimately to the Ionian-embraced Mediterranean island of Currents.
Time plays a crucial role in this journey, evident in the actions and words of the characters. The climax of the story arrives with a surprisingly impactful conclusion.
The novel is available at Iocisto bookstore and on Amazon.