The Gadfly

Picked this up because it was read by the main character in the novel “Solenoid” by Mircea Cărtărescu and the character considered it a foundational book in his life. It probably never would have crossed my radar otherwise.

It's quite the romantic/historical story typical of early 1900s, with impassioned speeches and intense loves and relationships. Quite critical of religious and political institutions, with the Italian uprisings of the 1840s as the background for a general comment on the need for revolution and revolts to fight injustice all over the world.

I'm glad I read it simply for the look at a historical time/setting I was very unfamiliar with, and looking into the author's background and family led me down all kinds of neat trails. But, the novel itself wasn't exactly as riveting or transformational as I expected, based on the “Solenoid” character's reaction.