Castellinaria, and Other Sicilian Diversions

The author takes listeners on a warm, wandering tour of Sicily’s everyday magic, stitching together personal reminiscences with vivid snapshots of island life. He greets the audience with gratitude to the friends who helped capture the province’s quirks, and his voice glides from bustling market streets to quiet hilltop villages, inviting you to feel the same affection he holds for his “second homeland.”

Inside, the book explores the lively world of Sicilian marionette theatres, the improvisations that keep ancient legends fresh, and the colourful festivals that turn public squares into stages of myth and merriment. It weaves in tales of folk superstitions, historic playwrights, and the scholars who preserved them, all peppered with witty corrections and charming footnotes. Listeners will come away with a richer sense of the island’s oral traditions, its spirited hospitality, and the enduring joy of its popular entertainments.