An Island of Light and Shadow: ‘The Invention of Sicily: A Mediterranean History’ Review

There are few places in the world that batter the senses like Sicily. The outline of Mt Etna burns onto your retinas against a pure blue sky, while the chirps of cicadas echo in your ears. Rich, fried, carb-heavy foods that seem unthinkable in such a hot place pleasantly grease your throat before you take in the heady bouquet of a glass of Nero d’Avola. Visitors can explore staggering ruined wonders at Syracuse, Taormina, and Agrigento. Our ideas of Sicily are shaped as much by t