Release date is 2022-02-20

Tapio Riikonen

"Mestari Adam kalabrialainen: Kertomus Italian rosvoelämästä" by Alexandre Dumas is a historical novel written in the late 19th century. The story is set in Calabria, Italy, and follows the life of Mestari Adam, an artist who finds himself entangled in the tumultuous events of his time as he navigates personal and social challenges amid the threat of local banditry. The narrative blends themes of art, faith, and the struggle for community survival in a changing landscape. The opening portion introduces the picturesque yet volatile region of Calabria, characterized by both natural beauty and vulnerability to earthquakes. It introduces Mestari Adam, who emerges from a catastrophic earthquake as an orphan and is raised under humble circumstances, ultimately becoming a notable painter. As the narrative unfolds, Adam’s life intertwines with his community as he is recruited to restore a revered Madonna painting, which soon becomes a focal point of hope amidst the threats of a notorious bandit named Marco Brandi. The reader is drawn into Adam’s dual struggle for artistic recognition and the safety of his village as the stakes rise with the impending danger of banditry. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Originally published: Finland: Arvi A. Karisto Oy, 1916