The Oracle of Cumae by Melissa Hardy

The Oracle of Cumae Reviews

• 
  luce (in the doldrums & very behind reviews)

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  “I listened as Sibylla told me for the third or fourth or fifth time, about something that happened to her a thousand years ago and that might have been funny then, but, clearly, you had to have been there.”

  
  
  
  The Oracle of Cumae is a humorous tale that might appeal to readers who enjoyed Neil Gaiman's
  Stardust, Zen Cho's
  Sorcerer to the Crown series, or even books by
  Rick Riordan. While I enjoyed how witty and playful the narrative could be I was also aware of the various mistakes punctuating the novel.
  
  

  “Actually, I'm rather hoping for Purgatory.”
  “Impossible. Suicides go to Hell. Everyone knows that!”
  “I'm hoping to negotiate my position.”

  
  
  The story is a fun romp that has plenty of comical moments and diverting scenarios. The title character is portrayed in a refreshing way and I do think that the narrative should have focused more on her rather than the people from Mariuccia Umbellino's youth. There are amusing running gags which create a sense of familiarity between the readers and the story, such as when Mariuccia or her family explain to outsiders that their local pastor is blind, illiterate, and can't speak Latin:
  

  “He can't read?” the Prior exclaimed. “How can he say Mass?”
  “He acts it out,” said Papa.
  “It's very entertaining,” Mama added. “The children love it.”

  
  
  The humour is the biggest strength of the story. There are some brilliant back and forths which really complemented the setting and emphasised the characters' various eccentricities. At times the humour could be quite silly and light:
  

  “Look!” Cesare cried. “He smiled! His very first smile!”
  “Actually I am told that babies don't really smile until about the age of two months,” said Pellicola drily. “It's probably just gas.”

  
  
  And in other occasions it could become closer to that of a black comedy:
  

  “Don't ask me. You know full well that I was an only child. ”
  “As was I,” reflected Dr. Pellicola a little dreamily. “No, wait. There was a sister, but she ate something in the garden and died. Belladonna, I believe it was. I think I put her up to it, but, as I was only four at the time, I was forgiven. Even then I was fascinated by medicinal herbs!”

  
  
  I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this zestful narrative style. There was a vivacious energy underlining each of the various characters' interactions which made the story all the more engaging. It was fun to see how Melissa Hardy applies a modern humour to a historical setting.
  
  

  “I tell you what. Go commit your sin. Come back next Wednesday at this time. Confess, and I'll absolve you. That's the way the system works. Now, if you are quite through…?”

  
  
  Hardy also makes interesting references to a lot of historical anecdotes and places, incorporating certain historical events and locations into her tale (such as the mummies of the Chiesa dei Morti).
  The story itself wouldn't hold up without this abundance of humour as it is what brings the characters into focus. The storyline could have had been more clear-cut and with a more satisfactory inclusion of the oracle. I would have preferred following Mariuccia during her a larger chunk of her life rather than having the narrative focusing on a year or two when she was a teenager. More could have been made of the story as it had a lot of potentially interesting elements, it seems however that much of the narrative stems from a not fully sketched out idea.
  
  There were also a lot of mistakes and inaccuracies which detracted from my overall enjoyment of this book.
  ➜ The story opens in Italy during the late 19th century (1896 to be precise) and Mariuccia Umbellino, who has just turned ninety nine, calls a priest in order to confess some of her secrets. Although she says that she worked for Bacigalupo & Sons for fifty years (“The business that I preserved and built upon for fifty years”) implying that she must have started working for this company before the 1850s, the narrative later states that Bacigalupo & Sons was founded in the “early nineteen hundreds”, a period of time that is often used to refer to the early 1900s as opposed to the early 1800s.
  ➜While I don't have a problem with writers outside of Italy writing about Italy or setting their book in Italy I do get frustrated by the lack of research that some of these authors pay to the Italian language. Google is quite a handy tool and it isn't difficult to double check the Italian equivalent to certain English terms. Often English-speaking authors will throw untranslated Italian words into their narratives as a way of making their story more believable and quaint. Time and again these authors will use Mama and Papa when referring to Italian characters' mothers and fathers. Yet, Mama and Papa have no place in the Italian dictionary. They belong to British shows like Downton Abbey. Italians use Mamma and Papà. In Italian Papa means Pope. Not the same as Papà. I actually looked up online a historical dictionary (
  http://www.bdcrusca.it/scaffale.asp ) to double-check the period's terms for Dad and Mum and it turns out that Mariuccia would have used Mamma for Mum and Babbo or Padre for her father.
  ➜There other Italian words that are misspelled such as 'schiffo' instead of 'schifo'; 'respetto' instead of 'rispetto'; and 'fritti mistos' should have been 'fritti misti'.
  
  When writing about a different culture to your own writers and their editors should ensure that they are at least using the correct words (if they insist on implementing untranslated terms) and names (many of the names in this story seemed odd but given that this is 'historical' I was willing to look past them).
  
  In spite of these irritating mistakes, I was entertained by this novel and I'm looking forward to read more by this author.
  
  
  Read more reviews on my blog / / / 
  View all my reviews on Goodreads
• 
  Cait

  I read this book as an advance reader copy. Full disclosure, I work for the publisher.
  
  This book is hilarious. Like laugh out loud funny. The Oracle is the perfect character - major sass, tells it like it is, does what she thinks is best even if it isn't - she's just an amazing character and definitely my favourite.
  
  The book is composed of mostly strong female characters who take charge of their destiny and wrestle it into submission for what they want. It's a funny adventure that leads you to unexpected places, and it's just fun.
  
  Well worth the read.
• 
  Natalie

  Passably entertaining story about faith, superstition, family, and finding your own way. Has amusing moments, but didn't quite live up to the promise of the premise for me.
• 
  Celeste

  I received an audio copy of this book from the publisher, Second Story Press, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
  
  The Oracle of Cumae was an unexpectedly enjoyable foray into a different time and place. While erring on the side of silly, it was entertaining and absorbing. I listened with a smile on my face.
  
  This is one of those books I’m very glad to have gotten on audio. The names of characters and settings would have been impossible to wrap my head around otherwise. I was grateful to have someone pronouncing them for me, instead of being constantly distracted by my own poor internal attempts every time I stumbled across them in the text. Also, there is something about the story itself that lends itself incredibly well to an auditory experience. After all, the framework is that of an old woman telling the secrets of her life to a priest on her 99th birthday. That setup is perfect for an audiobook.
  
  My favorite thing about this novel is the setting. Early nineteenth-century Italy isn’t a setting that would usually grab me, but a large portion of this story took place in a remote mountain village that seemed happily adrift in time. It was utterly charming, and I would love to live in, or at least visit, such a place. The scenery was well described and sounded absolutely beautiful.
  
  The characters in this book were seriously wacky. Mariuccia, our perspective character, is grouchy in her elderly present and a snarky tomboy in her teenage past. I really liked her. And then there’s the Oracle herself. She just about defies description, but I enjoyed her immensely. The rest of the cast ranged from pleasant to amusingly antagonistic to downright silly. I did a lot of eye rolling and, even if entertaining, this all became a bit much after a while. I prefer my humor dry and in smaller doses than an entire novel, but it didn’t grate too terribly. Some of the voices the narrator chose for these more laughable characters might have been part of what made the story seem over-the-top, but said choices also did a lot to flesh out these characters. Saffron Henderson, the narrator, gave a great performance.
  
  While not perfect, The Oracle of Cumae was a fun read. The supernatural element was just enough to give the story a little extra kick, the characters were unique, and the setting was lovely. If you like your historical fiction with a dash of magical realism and a heaping helping of humor, I think you might enjoy this one.
• 
  Jodi

  Mariuccia Umbellino has never had much use for priests, but on her 99th birthday, she has her great-great-nephew bring a priest to her room to hear her confession. But she doesn't want to confess any sins. She wants to tell an amazing story to someone who is obligated to keep a secret.
  
  In the early 1800s, a priest and some men with dynamite were sent to 15-year-old Mariuccia's remote mountain village to close the opening to a cave that was said to contain the ancient Oracle of Cumae. The Pope didn't like competition, and he learned that people in and around the village had been going to this oracle for centuries. Mariuccia's family was charged with guarding Lady Sibylla, the oracle. She and her mother rescued her before the men with the dynamite could do her any harm. Thus began an adventure that would change the lives of Mariuccia and everyone who came in contact with her.
  
  Melissa Hardy's novel is full of fantastical elements and more ordinary secrets. Mariuccia is prickly and not much interested in men or convention, and Lady Sibylla has gained both wisdom and impatience with foolishness in her advanced age. An oracle is a difficult being to monitor, but young Mariuccia does the best she can. No character or element is wasted. Hardy clearly believes in the Chekhov's Gun principle, and paying attention to her metaphorical pistols will pay off for the reader.
  
  For the reader, It definitely helps to have some knowledge of and sympathy for classical Greco-Roman mythology and/or folk magick. The novel is not anti-Catholic, per se, but it does make some Catholic priests look foolish. But this is primarily a story of beliefs and practices that endure under the noses of authority figures. The best humor undercuts pompous authority. The Oracle of Cumae is absolutely hilarious.
• 
  Emma

  This was a book I didn't realize I was searching for until I found it. As someone who studied classics, I love seeing how ancient mythology has a much larger impact on our lives today than we realize and this book was a fantastical take on this idea. It explores a world where a few remnants of some ancient mythology still exist and the main character and her family accept this with little difficulty and their lives are made much more exciting because of it.
  
  I loved all the little details about how the ancient and modern world interact. For example, the Lamia, who are a creature from Greek mythology that are now affected by when the Pope says Mass. Melissa Hardy has created a very rich world in a very short book.
  
  I particularly liked the way this story plays with the traditional issues of using love potions. You expect a very stereotypical love potion mix up, but instead, you get a very unique take on the use of love potions.
  
  Pretty much my only complaint or really just a quibble with this book, is that I was sometimes distracted by what information the narrator had access to. The story is told from the first-person view of Mariuccia Umbellino and I really enjoyed her storytelling voice. However, she would sometimes give the reader a large amount of information about what was going on inside of another character's mind and I was drawn out of the story by this, as I thought to myself "How could Mariuccia know that". This can be partially explained away by the fact that we are told at the beginning that Mariuccia's story has been passed down for many years and was originally told by her when she was very old, so maybe she is a somewhat unreliable narrator, but it did distract me while reading nonetheless.
  
  Even with that being said I would HIGHLY recommend this book. It reads like a classic story, but with the literary style of a modern masterpiece. It was light and fun to read, a perfect book to make you smile during these crazy times.
• 
  Karin

  This was a very humorous book with the main character being the oracle. An oracle with lots of attitude and not shy to tell it like it is or how she thinks it is. I wasn't quite sure what to expect but I enjoyed the ride/read of this one.
• 
  Meghan O'Donnell

  the oracle sibyl trapped in a jar in 19th century italy? lamiae who turn into snakes until the pope says mass? why not!
  i loved this tale of ancient religion and modern intermingling and it made me laugh :) a v good read
• 
  Fazila

  FBRC REVIEW:
  
  DISCLAIMER : I received an advanced review copy for free from Edelweiss+, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
  
  The Oracle Of Cumae is the story of Mariuccia Umbellino who is a 99yr old woman and her secret. The story is narrated by Mariuccia and we get to see the story through her lens. Its a funny, engaging and intriguing read. I found the story to be quite unique with its stories that come from Italian mythology and folklore. The story is centered around the Oracle who is a powerful Old Ones in the world.
  
  The Oracle of Cumae is known as Sybilla who was the beloved of Phoebus Apollo, the Sun God. We see a strong female character who is a genius, happens to have magical abilities and is surrounded by women who become serpents called Lamie until the Pope says Magic. Sybilla is given utmost respect by people and is often consulted by the village people for solutions to their problems. She is revered and her presence is not something she bestows on humans. She is considered to be supernatural. Her character is shown as a bit grouchy and aloof and proud. I was expecting more of a story and character development of Sybilla as the name of the book is The Oracle Of Cumae. The story is mainly about Mariuccia and her life.
  
  Mariuccia and her family lived in Monte Monaco. They were given a lot of riches by the Oracle in gratitude for their service to her. Even though they lived in a village Mariuccia, her mother Esperanza and her sister Concetta were educated. She is someone who is strong and has her own opinions. I believe her character is asexual in nature. I am not entirely sure of this, but certain comments she makes in the book makes me believe she is. The story takes a turn when people from Castel Durante comes to destroy the Cave in which Sybilla was staying. This leads to a turn of events that propels Mariuccia's mom and her to rescue Sybilla and bring her home. There are love spells to cast and then recast on Bacigalupo. A lot of these scenes are funny and the way the characters interact with one another is also very interesting.
  
  I wish the character of Lamia and Sybilla were more developed. Lamia happened to be the snakes who guarded the Oracle and they are beautiful women who turn into serpents but to revert back to human form the Pope needs to say the mass. They are described as easily excited creatures who shrieks like peacocks and fearful in nature.
  
  There are a lot of stories told in this book. Some of these stories are passed on from generation to generation in the village. The tale of the jettatore is also very fascinating and what happens to the jettatore is also explained towards the end of the book. The book is heavily influenced by Italian mythology and the folklore. I love books based on mythology and folklores. The book also pokes fun at Christianity and kind of addresses the problems that arise when old religion clashes with a new religion. How the old way of life was destroyed and how the church and Pope decide to get rid of the Oracle and the events that follow and how people react differently based on their upbringing and traditions.
  
  This book is an enjoyable read and I would recommend it for fall. There are small magical elements and if the world of magic and the folklores were expanded into more detail, then the story would have been really a hit for me. But overall it was funny and at times there was dark humor to the situations. The book will be published on 8th Oct 2019. So keep an eye out for this book if you love stories based on mythology and folklore.
  
  What are your favorite books to read for fall and Halloween?? Let me know about them in the comment section down below. Happy reading!!
• 
  Sarah

  In the central Italian city of Casteldurante in the late 19th century, a 99-year-old woman, Mariuccia Umbellino, summons a priest so she can unburden herself of a long-held secret. What she reveals isn’t your standard multi-generational saga fare; instead, Hardy’s short novel is a tongue-in-cheek romp through Italian folklore, mythology, and religious tradition.
  
  The tale Mariuccia unfolds takes her back to her youth in the tiny village of Montemonaco, where her family tended olive groves and goats and guarded the shrine of the Lady Sibylla, the Oracle of Cumae.
  
  Sibylla is the self-same prophetess from Virgil and Ovid. As Mariuccia and her mother discover, when they arrive to rescue her before a traveling priest and stuffy prior destroy the pagan cave where she lives, there’s nothing left of Sibylla but her voice – and she’s quite the talker. As if her presence doesn’t cause enough trouble – she gets to move around while tucked away in a jug – she stirs up plenty on her own. What happens next involves love spells (both failed and successful), ghosts, a marriage or two, and a tinker with the evil eye.
  
  If the plot feels a little thin in places, Sibylla has some terrific wisecracking lines (she hates to be left out of the action). The novel’s a fun diversion on historical fiction’s lighter side, featuring two smart heroines who won’t be silenced.
  
  First reviewed for the Nov 2019 issue of Historical Novels Review.
• 
  Morgan

  I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
  
  What a fun and lighthearted read. On her 99th birthday, Mariuccia Umbellino confesses her life story to a priest, divulging it only because a priest bears the weight of confidentiality.
  
  Her story continues for the entirety of the book and undermines religious tradition and rites with unabashed humor.
  
  Full of wit and sass, Mariuccia is a female character that is a welcome escape from more serious novels. Her relationship with herself and the world is refreshing and I promise you won’t find another character like her.
  
  I finished this book in a day, completely swept up in Hardy’s writing. My only wish is that the ending wasn’t so rushed. After 200+ pages of characters and plot, the last three or four wrapped up the book.
• 
  Annie

  Melissa Hardy’s hilarious novel, The Oracle of Cumae, is set up as a story, within a story, within a story, and sometimes within yet another story. It begins with a very old woman sending for a priest. She doesn’t want to confess. Mariuccia Umbellino is very clear about that. She just wants to tell her story before she passes away. Her story is later transcribed, a generation or so later, by a woman who tells us she doesn’t believe a word of it...
  
  Read the rest of my review at
  A Bookish Type. I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley, for review consideration.
• 
  Erica

  The Oracle of Cumae was such a fun book to listen to! I didn’t expect it to feel so lighthearted going into it but it truly felt like I was sitting next to an elder and listen to them tell their story. I’m convinced that Melissa Hardy must know a lot of Italians because all the characters felt like one of my own large family events. No one took themselves too seriously, and always made time for food and wine together.
• 
  Emily

  I enjoyed this book set in Italy in the 1800s that makes good use of religious superstition and beliefs in Gods and Oracles. The narration of the audiobook was a little more distracting that I usually enjoy because of the attempts to provide different voices, all in Italian accents. But, it didn't take too much away from my ability to like the story/characters.
  
  Audiobook ARC from the publisher via NetGalley, but the opinions are my own.
• 
  Bonnie

  The Oracle of Cumae is a humorous book that takes you on twists and turns. There is a sarcastic wit written in that pokes fun at the beliefs, traditions, and "unknowns" during the time period. A lot of dated catholic terminology is thrown in that makes great use of Kindle's wikipedia and dictionary tools. Overall, a funny read. Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
• 
  Annarella

  A funny and entertaining book that made me laugh out loud.
  It's well written, engrossing and the cast of characters is well thought and interesting.
  I'd have preferred some more check on the Italian word as most of them are wrong or used in the wrong way.
  It was a fun read, recommended!
  Many thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
• 
  Lizzie Louie

  Thoroughly enjoyed this historical fiction where Roman Mythology meets Roman Catholicism and wins! Well, I suppose that depends on how you look at it.
  Short read, family drama, clash of ancient religion with newer, and a love potion gone wrong (as they always do 😉).
• 
  Coreena McBurnie

  I enjoyed this book. It was funny and different. I love books that involve mythology and this was certainly an original take on it. Light and quirky with some unexpected plot turns.
• 
  Bryonna

  what an imagination!
• 
  Mark Bennett

  Very different, more of a fable or fairy tale than a novel. I enjoyed.
• 
  Joy

  3.5 stars rounded up
  
  Irreverent tongue in cheek humour, akin to Christopher Moore but less crude. Not for the pious.
• 
  Penn Kemp

  So much fun to go traveling with Melissa Hardy’s The Oracle of Cumae! Highly recommended. “The Old Ones were as prone to transformations as the New Ones to miracles.”
• 
  McKenzie

  This book is a fun, witty, little romp through early modern Italy. The details and the humor of this novel are what really makes it enjoyable. It's not an especially fast paced novel and not a lot happens in particular. This is mostly a comedy of errors that borderlines on a black comedy at times, but it's worth the read if you're into meandering and humorous novels.