From the atmospheric recollections of the Palazzo Lampedusa and the Palazzo Filangeri Cuto at the turn of the twentieth century in 'Childhood Memories' to the delightful fable 'The Siren', from the gently humorous, bitterA-sweet tones of 'Joy and the Law' to 'The Blind Kittens' - the first chapter of what was intended to be a sequel to The Leopard - this volume showcases Lampedusa's unparalleled obA-serA-vational powers and narrative skills.