Middlesex County College Professor Santi Buscemi has translated a second book by Luigi Capuana, who he describes as “the father of Italian naturalism.” EDISON — Professor Santi Buscemi, who teaches English at Middlesex County College (MCC) in Edison, has translated a second book by Luigi Capuana, “The Marquis of Roccaverdina.”
“In my view, it is his masterpiece,” Buscemi said of the book, originally published in 1903.
Based in the 19th century, the book tells the story of a wealthy marquis in Sicily, who has an affair with a female servebt with whom he is madly in love. He is convinced by his family, however, that he cannot marry her because of their class differences. The marquis comes up with an idea to have the foreman of his estate marry her, but they consequently have to live together as brother and sister — not as husband and wife.
“This does not turn out well,” Buscemi said.
Indeed. Marchese suspects that the foreman does not live up to the agreement, so he kills the man.
These events precede the novel, which exposes the Marquis’ jealousy and guilt.
“He now lives with remorse and pain,” Buscemi said. “It is an incredible work — lyrical, involving and introspective.”
This is the second book of Capuana’s that Buscemi has translated. The first was “C’era una volta,” a collection of fairy tales under the English title “Sicilian Tales.” Both works were published by Dante University Press.
“Capuana is the father of Italian naturalism, even though he disavowed that title as he got older,” Buscemi said. “Naturalists believe we have little free will, [and] that outside forces such as biology, heredity, economics, politics and social standing control our behavior.
“In some ways, this book relates to that,” he said. “But it also reflects Capuana’s belief in human psychology as a motivating factor, and he does a masterful job of depicting the agony of a human soul.”
Buscemi sent his first book to U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, who replied that his father had done significant research on Capuana. Scalia invited Buscemi and his wife Elaine to visit him at the court. The trip took place on March 14.
“He was so gracious and so kind to us,” Buscemi said. “He was unbelievably amiable. It was like sitting with your neighbor and having a cup of coffee. He had sent me a copy of his father’s dissertation, and the first thing he asked was ‘Did it help?’ I told him it did very much. His father had a dry sense of humor, and poked fun at Capuana and other authors of his era.
“It was a great visit. He was very friendly and warm.”