Sciascia and the children: âcarusoâ yesterday, digital zombies today Today is the centenary of the great Sicilian writerâs birth. His family history is strictly linked to the harsh reality of the sulphur mines, where his grandfather, his father and his brother worked. Today is the centenary of Leonardo Sciasciaâs birth. He was born in Racalmuto, in the province of Agrigento, from Pasquale Sciascia, an employee, and Genoveffa Martorelli, a housewife. Sciasciaâs history is rooted in sulphur. His grandfather, Leonardo ,was first a âCarusoâ, then foreman and administrator in the local mines; his father was the administrator of a sulphur mine in Ãssaro, along with his younger son, Leonardoâs brother, a mine expert (they both ended up tragically: young Giuseppe took his life; his father was in prison for attempted murder). âWithout the sulphur mine adventure, there wouldnât have been the writing adventure, of the storytelling for Pirandello, Alessio di Giovanni, Rosso di San Domenico, Nino Savarese, Francesco Lanza. And for us,â Sciascia wrote.