To Each His Own

To Each His Own follows Professor Laurana, an academic in a small Sicilian town, as he investigates a double murder that the rest of the townspeople seem eager to forget. When the local pharmacist receives a threatening letter before his death, Laurana notices a Latin clue that draws him into the investigation. The novel takes place in 1960s Sicily, where corruption and organized crime have become deeply embedded in local politics and daily life. After the murders, the town quickly returns to normal, operating under an unspoken code of silence that Laurana fails to recognize or respect. Professor Laurana pursues his amateur investigation through the complex social and political dynamics of his small town, speaking with locals and uncovering connections that others prefer to ignore. His determination to solve the case leads him into increasingly dangerous territory as he exposes layers of corruption. The book examines how power operates in insular communities and questions the true cost of seeking justice in a system built on collective silence. Through its exploration of local politics and crime, it offers commentary on broader themes of moral responsibility and social complicity.

Readers note the book's exploration of Sicilian society and corruption through a murder mystery lens. Review commentary focuses on Sciascia's stark, documentary-style writing and his portrayal of small-town dynamics. Readers appreciate: - Clear, economical prose style - Authentic depiction of Sicilian culture and mentality - Complex characters, especially Professor Laurana - Commentary on justice and morality without preaching Common criticisms: - Slow pacing in middle sections - Abrupt ending that some find unsatisfying - Dense political/historical references that can be hard to follow - Translation issues in certain editions Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (2,100+ ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (80+ ratings) Multiple reviewers compare it favorably to Sciascia's other work The Day of the Owl. As one Goodreads reviewer notes: "Less a whodunit than a study of power structures in Sicily." Several readers mention the book rewards careful, slow reading despite its short length.

Death and the Olive Grove by Marco Vichi Set in 1960s Florence, this police procedural follows Inspector Bordelli through a murder investigation that reveals deep-rooted corruption in Italian institutions.

The Day of the Owl by Leonardo Sciascia A police captain investigates a mafia murder in Sicily, encountering the same walls of silence and complicity that define Sicilian society.

The Terra-Cotta Dog by Andrea Camilleri Inspector Montalbano uncovers layers of Sicilian history and criminal connections while investigating a cave containing mysterious corpses.

Equal Danger by Leonardo Sciascia A detective investigates the murders of judges and prosecutors in an unnamed Italian city, exposing systematic corruption in the justice system.

The Pizza Connection by Alexander Stille This non-fiction account examines a real-life investigation into Sicilian mafia operations, depicting the intersection of crime, politics, and social codes in Sicily.

🔍 The book's original Italian title "A ciascuno il suo" comes from the Latin phrase "suum cuique" - a principle of justice meaning "to each his own." 📚 Sciascia wrote the novel in 1966, during a period of intense social change in Sicily, when the Mafia's influence was being publicly acknowledged for the first time. 🎬 The book was adapted into a critically acclaimed film in 1967, directed by Elio Petri and starring Gian Maria Volontè as Professor Laurana. 🖋️ The author, Leonardo Sciascia, served as a member of both the Italian and European parliaments, using his political experience to inform his crime fiction's social commentary. 🏺 The novel's setting, Sicily, has a complex history of overlapping civilizations - Greek, Roman, Arab, Norman - which influences the layered power structures depicted in the book.