New Novel, I SICILIANI, Explores History of Italian Mafia

A new novel, "I Siciliani (The Sicilians)" by Lou Quattro, explores the origins of the mafia in Italy.

The author wrote the book after living in Tuscany while overseeing a multi-year business contract, and witnessing just how far La Cosa Nostra-based corruption extends.

"The inspiration for the novel came as I was interacting with the locals during a protracted land development project," Quattro says. "I gained the opportunity to know many Sicilians, and came to understand their background, passions and what motivates them."

Quattro's novel looks at Sicilian history, the founding of La Cosa Nostra, and the values that shape it. It explores how the tentacles of the Sicilian way reach north into Tuscan life. The book teems with intrigue, conspiracy, murder, religion, politics and sex.

"Mr. Quattro gives us a rich portrait of a world and a time that we know only through fable - Sicily of the early 19th century," writes historian R. Philip Hawton. "And a highly animated portrait it is."

The storyline involves the arrest of a sitting mayor in Tuscany and the subsequent illegal investigation of the local maresciallo (marshal). As the plot unfolds, the involvement of a family within the syndicate of La Cosa Nostra quickly becomes evident, illustrating the battle Italy has had with corruption and the lengths its people will go for power.

"I can't put this thing down," wrote Amazon reviewer Rubysuesday, who gave the book the highest rating five stars.

"I have seen every popular movie and read every popular book about the mafia and most of it is simply full of greed, killing and thugs. The stories are all the same. The beauty of this book is that it's based on WHY and HOW La Cosa Nostra got started and helps the reader understand its virtues before greed took over. It weaves a compelling tale, is based in both historical fact and modern understanding and is an absolutely great read. It would be a good movie too one that wouldn't simply feed on standard mafia violence."

Amazon reviewer Ronald Rivkin, who also gave the book five stars, writes:

" ... It's really in contrast to the corruption of the new 'mob' in America and how it has twisted the original traditions and constructive values to their communities in Sicily. They did serve an important purpose originally.

"In America they devolved into the gangsters that we see in the movies ... Quattro, on the other hand, gives the reader another perspective on these 'Goodguys' in Italy. 'I Siciliani' is thought-provoking work."

About Lou Quattro

Born in Italy and raised in Canada, Lou Quattro is a business strategist specializing in helping, privately owned ad agencies or communications firms. He spent 25 years in the advertising agency/communications business at McKim Advertising and BBDO Canada, a worldwide organization, as CFO and COO. Quattro also has extensive training in psychotherapy and is a professional accountant. He moved to Tuscany to write and to reconnect with his roots in 2002. He is currently based in Canada, helping independently owned agencies who share values like, employee ownership, creativity, transparency and ethical behavior.