1352 Italian themed books to read on holiday

I wondered is anyone had read any good books about Italy? Its always nice to read something about the country in the country, if you know what I mean. I read forinstance, I Cladius on Capri and The Leopard, which is about the last king of Italy in Sicily.

Any other suggestions or recommendations

Elaine

:rolleyes:

Category
Culture & Entertainment

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 09/15/2005 - 12:53

How about Goethe's book from his long trip to Italy, even south, in the horse age? Don't know the title in english but could be something like 'A voyage to
Italy'??? Maybe you know it allready, anyway I liked to learn about the ancient atmosphere

Paul

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 09/15/2005 - 13:03

There was a good, rolling thread on this topic some time ago:

[url]http://www.italymag.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=102[/url]

Enjoy!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 09/16/2005 - 07:16

'Where angels fear to tread' is fab too, but very sad.

I had a big list from the Foders web-site some time ago, just wondered if there was any new ones out. Theres one about the mafia which is suppose to be ace!

Since theres no guide book to Puglia we will just have to design one, what a fab job would that be, zooming round Puglia taking pictures and eating food!

I must admit that Jamies my favorite Anglo-Italian styli chef, and the River Cafe isnt bad (even though the resturant is hideously overpriced and has terrible food).

To Waterstones and beyond...

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 09/16/2005 - 08:45

a really good book-although perhaps a bit depressing for holiday reading is-Christ stopped at Eboli by carlo levi.it is the story of his exile to the poverty stricken south of italy and what he found there.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 09/16/2005 - 09:55

I read 'Gods Pauper' by the same guy that wrote 'Zorba the greek' its about St Francis and isnt too religiously biased, interesting read, he was obviously a nice man. The following day, after finishing the book I was stood in front of his sacophogus errie.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 09/16/2005 - 10:14

How about 'The Dark Heart of Italy' - Tobias Jones (Faber and Faber)

What Tobias Jones does well is observe. He has noticed that all is not as it seems - hence the book's title - but then that's true of most countries. His eye for detail is good, his frustrations with Italian bureaucracy mirrors my own, he notes the corruptible system of government, the chaotic legislature, the favours and contra-favours that form invisible bonds and he often repeats the theme of Italians belittling their own culture and customs. His point is that they feel free to say these things because deep down they believe it's not true and it's the very strength of their self-belief that allows their self-deprecation. He's done his research well. The book covers most aspects of daily life from family and home to the forums and public spaces of football, religion and Art, and is as entertaining as it is deadly serious.