"The Pestered" (Quer pasticciaccio brutto de via Merulana)

"The Pestered" ("Quer pasticciaccio brutto de via Merulana") is a 1957 novel by Carlo Emilio Gadda. It explores a complex detective story set in Rome, involving a theft that spirals into a chaotic investigation. The novel combines humor, dark realism, and intricate language to depict post-war Italian society’s disorder. Its style blends social critique with psychological depth, reflecting on the corruption, confusion, and moral ambiguities of the time. Overall, it’s a vivid, layered portrayal of a city and society grappling with change, told through a richly textured narrative that challenges traditional storytelling approaches.