''The Salamander'' (1973) is a novel by Australian writer Morris West.

Synopsis

Dante Matucci, a captain in the Italian secret service, begins an investigation into the death of an Italian general, found dead in his apartment. Next to the body was a small card depicting a salamander in a bed of flames. Soon Matucci discovers that the Salamander is really a millionaire industrialist Bruno Manzini, and he is drawn into a difficult investigation.

Critical reception

John Philip, writing in ''The Canberra Times'', found the novel "a tale that will enthrall fans of action-packed topical novels." And he concluded: "This may not be Morris West's best novel, but it makes arresting reading and will find favour with a wide range of readers."

Publication history

After its original publication in 1973 in England by

Heinemann Heinemann may refer to: * Heinemann (surname) * Heinemann (publisher), a publishing company * Heinemann Park, a.k.a. Pelican Stadium in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States See also * Heineman * Jamie Hyneman James Franklin Hyneman (born Se ...

the novel was later published by William Morrow in 1973, Pocket Books in 1974, and

Allen & Unwin George Allen & Unwin was a British publishing company formed in 1911 when Sir Stanley Unwin purchased a controlling interest in George Allen & Co. It went on to become one of the leading publishers of the twentieth century and to establish an ...

in 2017, and many other paperback editions, including a German translation in 1973.

Film adaptation

In 1981,

Peter Zinner Peter Zinner (July 24, 1919 – November 13, 2007) was an Austrian-American film editor. Following nearly fifteen years of uncredited work as an assistant sound editor, Zinner received credits on more than fifty films from 1959 to 2006. His most ...

's directorial debut, The Salamander, was derived from West's book, on a screenplayed by Robert Kratz and

Rod Serling Rodman Edward Serling (December 25, 1924 – June 28, 1975) was an American screenwriter, playwright, television producer, and narrator/on-screen host, best known for his live television dramas of the 1950s and his anthology television series ' ...

. It featured: * Franco Nero as Carabinieri Colonel Dante Matucci * Anthony Quinn as Bruno Manzini * Martin Balsam as Captain Steffanelli

Notes

* Dedication: "For Silvio Stefano, wise councellor, honest advocate, friend of my heart" * Epigraph: ::If we could learn to look instead of gawking, ::We'd see the horror in the heart of farce. ::If only we could act instead of talking, ::We would not always end up on our arse. ::This was the thing that had us nearly mastered! ::Don't yet rejoice in his defeat, you men. ::For though the world stood up and stopped the bastard, ::The bitch that bore him is on heat again. From ''Arturo Ui'' by Bertolt Brecht, translated by George Tabori

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Salamander, The 1973 Australian novels Australian novels adapted into films Works by Morris West