Essential Reading List - Great Books About or Set in Italy
Jul 18th, 2003, 08:56 AM
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I just finished "As the Romans Do" by Alan Epstein. It's a collection of little essays on the author's experiences in living in Rome as an expatriate with his wife and two children. Very funny and a light, quick read that provides a glimpse of everyday modern Roman life.
Jul 18th, 2003, 03:51 PM
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A completely different suggestion...a good art history book can be priceless. Before I left, I dug out my old-but-classic college textbook, Gardner's Art Through the Ages, and reread the sections on ancient Roman art and Italian Renaissance art. I got so much more out of all the art and buildings we saw. It's really expensive ($100), like most college textbooks, but you might be able to borrow one from a local library or buy an older edition from the secondhand shelf of a college bookstore.
I also bought a cheap book on Michelangelo's art from Barnes & Noble for my family (light on text, heavy on color pictures), and again it helped us get so much more out of the art we saw.
I also bought a cheap book on Michelangelo's art from Barnes & Noble for my family (light on text, heavy on color pictures), and again it helped us get so much more out of the art we saw.
Sep 28th, 2003, 08:26 AM
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This was a busy summer for me...and I thanks this post for the different comments about various books, also Amazon thank you also because lately I have bought many books from them..
At this moment I am reading Oriana Fallaci new little book : The Rage and the Pride, is so interesting, surely a must read book.
Ciao and Happy Reading,
kismet
At this moment I am reading Oriana Fallaci new little book : The Rage and the Pride, is so interesting, surely a must read book.
Ciao and Happy Reading,
kismet
Sep 28th, 2003, 08:54 AM
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For a comprehensive list of mysteries, as well as other books, set in Italy, go here:
http://italian-mysteries.com/
http://italian-mysteries.com/
Oct 12th, 2003, 06:42 PM
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I just finished reading La Bella Vita by Vida Adamoli.
It is written by an English woman who marries an Italian in the late 1960's and writes about their lives in Rome and then on the coast above Naples. They settle in a small coastal town and she describes how the town and the locals and the "outsiders" change and cope over the years.
She doesn't faun or condescend and I enjoy her writing style.
It is written by an English woman who marries an Italian in the late 1960's and writes about their lives in Rome and then on the coast above Naples. They settle in a small coastal town and she describes how the town and the locals and the "outsiders" change and cope over the years.
She doesn't faun or condescend and I enjoy her writing style.
Oct 16th, 2003, 09:59 AM
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Today in Rome the Pope celebrate his 25 anniversary as the Bishop of Rome.
There is a great interesting small book about the story of the Vatican and the Pope's elections.
The book title is: White Smoke Over the Vatican by Don Sharkey.
There is a great interesting small book about the story of the Vatican and the Pope's elections.
The book title is: White Smoke Over the Vatican by Don Sharkey.
Oct 16th, 2003, 11:17 AM
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A note about Mann's <i>Death in Venice</i>...many here would be surprised to learn it is written from the viewpoint of a gay pedophilic stalker. It is an excellent piece of prose, stylistically, but I think it would be a little disturbing for some of the folks here. Be advised.
If that sort of thing doesn't bother you, I still say Nabokov is better. Just MHO, of course.
If that sort of thing doesn't bother you, I still say Nabokov is better. Just MHO, of course.
Oct 18th, 2003, 08:11 PM
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Just a note -- I found Donna Leon's books at MysteryLovers.com. They seem to have the whole Guido Brunetti series. But, having said that, her books left me with a feeling of sadness if what she sees in Italy is true -- corruption and rampant greed everywhere, a grim view of the Catholic Church, a dim view of tourists, and on and on. Sheesh, sounds like here.
Oct 18th, 2003, 10:39 PM
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I agree about Donna Leon's books. I had to stop reading the last one mid way it was getting me so depressed. I think that is the good thing about traveling, you don't always see the underbelly of a place. I prefer my rose colored glasses for the places I visit, there is enough crime and corruption here in Los Angeles it is good to escape it.
Oct 19th, 2003, 01:10 PM
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SeaUrchin -- Exactly! I swear that I had a black cloud over my head after finishing "The Death of Faith". Ms. Leon seems determined to expose the ugly underbelly of Italy and Venice in particular -- she's got issues!
I think of reading as a great escape that doesn't leave you with a hangover, but the Guido Brunetti series has left me with heartache and caused me to curb my daydreaming about retiring and living La Dolce Vita in Italy.
I think of reading as a great escape that doesn't leave you with a hangover, but the Guido Brunetti series has left me with heartache and caused me to curb my daydreaming about retiring and living La Dolce Vita in Italy.
Oct 19th, 2003, 02:44 PM
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We're in agreement, but don't let it stop you from dreaming. In any city or any place really there is a dark side, we just don't have to dwell on it.
She does seem to dwell on ugliness and her books don't offer a way out either, just sort of hopeless resignment.
I used to work at a county criminal court and that is a real ugly underbelly, I had to quit, I was beginning to dwell on all that was wrong with LA.
She does seem to dwell on ugliness and her books don't offer a way out either, just sort of hopeless resignment.
I used to work at a county criminal court and that is a real ugly underbelly, I had to quit, I was beginning to dwell on all that was wrong with LA.
Dec 14th, 2003, 07:38 AM
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Time for an updated compilation of all contributions. It may take several postings to get the whole list.
A Farewell to Arms by Hemingway
A Room with a View, by E.M. Forster
A Sea of Troubles by Donna Leon Venice mystery series
A Thousand Bells At Noon
A Thousand Days in Venice- Marlena De Blasi's an autobiographical account of her meeting a Venetian man & moving to Venice to marry him. Besides being entertaining, it gives insight into Venetian attitudes (or at least her perspective of Venetian attitudes). It also mentions lots of specific food related places (she's a chef/food writer) you might want to visit. It's a quick read.
A Traveller in Italy' by H.V.Morton. Really brings the history of northern and central Italy to life through his discovery of it's characters. I believe it has just been reissued in paperback after 20 odd years out of print...
Across the River and into the Trees by Hemingway
After Hanibal by Barry Unsworth. A wonderful character study of Italians/English with Perugia as the background.
An Architect?s Rome by John M. McGuire, Jr.
An Italian Affair by Laura Fraser
Angels and Demons by Dan Brown
Artemisia by Alexandra Lapierre set in Rome
As the Romans Do by Alan Epstein. It's a collection of little essays on the author's experiences in living in Rome as an expatriate with his wife and two children. Very funny and a light, quick read that provides a glimpse of everyday modern Roman life
Aurelio Zen mystery series by Michael Dibdin, is set all over modern Italy--Cabal is set in Rome.
Book by Iris Origo
City of the Soul: A Walk in Rome" by William Murray.
Dances with Luigi (A real favorite, about an American taking a period of time off to discover some information about his Italian grandparents - very sensitively written. I preferred it to Pasquale's Nose, hands down!)
Death in Venice, by Thomas Mann.
Deeply Rooted by Ginda Simpson. A personal memoir by artist/writer living in Umbria. It was published in Italy but can be ordered through her website www.gindasimpson.com One of the most entertaining and moving stories that I have read.
Disturbance of the Inner Ear by Joyce Hackett. The Hackett book is current
Etruscan Places (D.H. Lawrence)
Extra Virgin is a wonderful book written by a young British girl settling down in Italy.
Francis of Assisi: A Revolutionary Life In the process of discussing his life and the genesis of the Franciscan Friars, there's a wealth of information about the region surrounding Perugia, Umbria and beyond. Fascinating dissection of the political, economic and class issue that affected life at the time and best of all many of the referenced sites can still be seen and visited.
Galileo's Daughter, by Dava Sobel
Italian Days (Barbara Grizzuti Harrison)
Twilight in Italy, D.H. Lawrence
Italian Education, Tim Parks
Italian Hours (Henry James)
Italian Neighbors, Tim Parks
Italian Villas and their Gardens, by Edith Wharton
La Bella Vita by Vida Adamoli. It is written by an English woman who marries an Italian in the late 1960's and writes about their lives in Rome and then on the coast above Naples. They settle in a small coastal town and she describes how the town and the locals and the "outsiders" change and cope over the years. e doesn't faun or condescend and I enjoy her writing style
La Cucina by Lily Prior - fiction, but beautifully written - Sicily based, some Mafia involvement, and an ode to cooking. Really worth the reading!
Little World of Don Camillo by Guareschi
Love and War in the Appennines and A Small Place in Italy by Eric Newby. Biography or war and love and then the reconstruction of a "rustico" after WW 11 in an area near La Spezia
Mapping the Edge by Sarah Dunant.. which partly takes place in Florence and in the Italian countryside. Not only does the character's love of Italy come across but it's the kind of book you'd open up as your flight takes off and you won't be able to put it down until you land. It's considered a thriller, although that always makes me think of spy stories which it isn't at all. It's about responsibility, lust, love, children, the meaning of friendship, motherhood and what happens when something frightening happens in our lives. Dunant is an award-winning mystery writer, so her sense of timing and suspense is impeccable.
Michelangelo and the Pope?s Ceiling, by Ross King about the painting and politics of the Sistine Chapel and Rome during that era.
Mrs. Garnet's Angel
Mysteries set in Venice by Edward Sklepowich,
Pasquale's Nose by ??
Postcards from Europe by Rick Steves. There is a good thread on his website graffiti wall for more book ideas.
Renalto's Luck by Jeff Shaperio and it was WONDERFUL!
Sea & Sardinia, D.H. Lawrence
See Naples, by Douglas Allanbrook, a memoir of his experience in Italy during the war and after -- lyrical and haunting.
Serenissima by Erica Jong. was written several years ago and I believe is out of print, but if you can get a used copy or one from the library, it's well worth it.
Steven Saylor writes a great historical mystery series set in ancient Rome.
Stones of Florence (Mary McCarthy)
That Fine Italian Hand by Paul Hofmann.
The Agony and the Ecstasy, Irving Stone. Really gets you inside Michaelangelo's mind.
The City of Florence (R.W.B. Lewis)
The Collected Traveler: Central Italy Tuscany and Umbria. It is described as "an inspired anthology and travel resource." ISBN 0-609-80443-X
The Dark Heart of Italy" by Tobias Jones. It is an amazing eyeopener about the very real political and cultural malaise that exists in modern Italy. As the book cover describes, the author moved to Italy "expecting to discover the pastoral bliss described by centuries of foreign visitors. Instead he found a very different country: one besieged by unfathomable terrorism and deep-seated paranoia." I know it sounds depressing, but really it just balances the mythical Italy created by so many sycophantic books and movies. And ultimately helps you understand and still love this fascinating country.
The Death of Faith by. Donna Leon seems determined to expose the ugly underbelly of Italy and Venice in particular -- she's got issues! -- I found Donna Leon's books at MysteryLovers.com. They seem to have the whole Guido Brunetti series. But, having said that, her books left me with a feeling of sadness if what she sees in Italy is true -- corruption and rampant greed everywhere, a grim view of the Catholic Church, a dim view of tourists, and on and on.
The Decameron - For a series of great & fun short stories set in another century. These are all short stories based on different facets of love, and are quite entertaining.
The Donna Leon mystery novel series featuring her detective, Guido Brunetti, and set in Venice.
The Enchanted April by Elizabeth von Arnim. A gentle sweet novel about life, love and the changes natural beauty of the land bring to four English women. Movie was based on this book
The Garden of the Finzi-Continis by Giorgio Bassani. This novel is about a rich Jewish family in Ferrara on the eve of WWII.
The Geometry of Love by Margaret Visser is an excellent, poetic, lyrical, fact-filled introduction to why churches look the way they do. Absolutely fascinating,and you will feel so knowledgable every time you look at anything in a church, cathedral, basilica or chapel for evermore!
The Italians by Luigi Barzini
The Leopard, by Giuseppe di Lampedusa, is considered by some people to be the greatest Italian novel of the 20th century. The author was a Sicilian prince, and the hero of the novel (which takes place in the 1860's) was supposedly based on his great-grandfather. The book was turned into a movie with Burt Lancaster.
The Marshal by Magdalen Nabb.. for mystery lovers and all who find Florence fascinating, Cunningly crafted mystery stories, very well written and available through Amazon.com.
The Merchant of Prato gives a very interesting insight into what made one man a successful businessman in Tuscany in the late 14th-early 15th century.
The Miracles of Santo Fico is a sweet novel set in Tuscany.
The Name of the Rose. A mystery
The Rage and the Pride by Oriana Fallaci
The Roman Way by Edith Hamilton
The Seasons of Rome: A Journal. By Paul Hofmann
The Secret Book of Grazia dei Rossi by Jacquline Park set in several Italian cities during the Renaissance, about the plight of a young Jewish woman and her family as they are kicked out of one town after another. Very well researched.
The Shape of Water by Andrea Camilleri
The Sixteen Pleasures: A Novel, by Robert Hellenga.
The Soldier of the Great War by Mark Helprin. An elderly gentlemen relates the story of his life from growing up in a wealthy family in Rome through the horrors of World War 1. Survival, and love of family comes through; humorous at times, but very moving.
The Stones of Florence by Mary McCarthy
The Story of San Michele by Axel Munthe .. about Capri
The Terracotta Dog by Andrea Camilleri
The Wings of the Dove by Henry James
Twilight in Italy
Under the Tuscan Sun, of course, is now a well-recognized and widely-read book, among those of us who are Italophiles.
Vanilla Beans and Brodo by Isabella Dusi (nonfiction memoir, set in Montalcino)
Vaporetto 13 may be out of print now, but you can probably still obtain a copy through an out-of-print book service. Very intriguing, IMO.
Venetian Dreaming by Paul Weideger. It was discussed here before and a lot of people seemed to dislike it, but I really enjoyed it.
Venice Observed, Mary McCarthy
Where Angels Fear to Tread by e.m. forster
White Smoke Over the Vatican by Don Sharkey There is a great interesting small book about the story of the Vatican and the Pope's elections.
Wilful Behaviour by Donna Leon
A Farewell to Arms by Hemingway
A Room with a View, by E.M. Forster
A Sea of Troubles by Donna Leon Venice mystery series
A Thousand Bells At Noon
A Thousand Days in Venice- Marlena De Blasi's an autobiographical account of her meeting a Venetian man & moving to Venice to marry him. Besides being entertaining, it gives insight into Venetian attitudes (or at least her perspective of Venetian attitudes). It also mentions lots of specific food related places (she's a chef/food writer) you might want to visit. It's a quick read.
A Traveller in Italy' by H.V.Morton. Really brings the history of northern and central Italy to life through his discovery of it's characters. I believe it has just been reissued in paperback after 20 odd years out of print...
Across the River and into the Trees by Hemingway
After Hanibal by Barry Unsworth. A wonderful character study of Italians/English with Perugia as the background.
An Architect?s Rome by John M. McGuire, Jr.
An Italian Affair by Laura Fraser
Angels and Demons by Dan Brown
Artemisia by Alexandra Lapierre set in Rome
As the Romans Do by Alan Epstein. It's a collection of little essays on the author's experiences in living in Rome as an expatriate with his wife and two children. Very funny and a light, quick read that provides a glimpse of everyday modern Roman life
Aurelio Zen mystery series by Michael Dibdin, is set all over modern Italy--Cabal is set in Rome.
Book by Iris Origo
City of the Soul: A Walk in Rome" by William Murray.
Dances with Luigi (A real favorite, about an American taking a period of time off to discover some information about his Italian grandparents - very sensitively written. I preferred it to Pasquale's Nose, hands down!)
Death in Venice, by Thomas Mann.
Deeply Rooted by Ginda Simpson. A personal memoir by artist/writer living in Umbria. It was published in Italy but can be ordered through her website www.gindasimpson.com One of the most entertaining and moving stories that I have read.
Disturbance of the Inner Ear by Joyce Hackett. The Hackett book is current
Etruscan Places (D.H. Lawrence)
Extra Virgin is a wonderful book written by a young British girl settling down in Italy.
Francis of Assisi: A Revolutionary Life In the process of discussing his life and the genesis of the Franciscan Friars, there's a wealth of information about the region surrounding Perugia, Umbria and beyond. Fascinating dissection of the political, economic and class issue that affected life at the time and best of all many of the referenced sites can still be seen and visited.
Galileo's Daughter, by Dava Sobel
Italian Days (Barbara Grizzuti Harrison)
Twilight in Italy, D.H. Lawrence
Italian Education, Tim Parks
Italian Hours (Henry James)
Italian Neighbors, Tim Parks
Italian Villas and their Gardens, by Edith Wharton
La Bella Vita by Vida Adamoli. It is written by an English woman who marries an Italian in the late 1960's and writes about their lives in Rome and then on the coast above Naples. They settle in a small coastal town and she describes how the town and the locals and the "outsiders" change and cope over the years. e doesn't faun or condescend and I enjoy her writing style
La Cucina by Lily Prior - fiction, but beautifully written - Sicily based, some Mafia involvement, and an ode to cooking. Really worth the reading!
Little World of Don Camillo by Guareschi
Love and War in the Appennines and A Small Place in Italy by Eric Newby. Biography or war and love and then the reconstruction of a "rustico" after WW 11 in an area near La Spezia
Mapping the Edge by Sarah Dunant.. which partly takes place in Florence and in the Italian countryside. Not only does the character's love of Italy come across but it's the kind of book you'd open up as your flight takes off and you won't be able to put it down until you land. It's considered a thriller, although that always makes me think of spy stories which it isn't at all. It's about responsibility, lust, love, children, the meaning of friendship, motherhood and what happens when something frightening happens in our lives. Dunant is an award-winning mystery writer, so her sense of timing and suspense is impeccable.
Michelangelo and the Pope?s Ceiling, by Ross King about the painting and politics of the Sistine Chapel and Rome during that era.
Mrs. Garnet's Angel
Mysteries set in Venice by Edward Sklepowich,
Pasquale's Nose by ??
Postcards from Europe by Rick Steves. There is a good thread on his website graffiti wall for more book ideas.
Renalto's Luck by Jeff Shaperio and it was WONDERFUL!
Sea & Sardinia, D.H. Lawrence
See Naples, by Douglas Allanbrook, a memoir of his experience in Italy during the war and after -- lyrical and haunting.
Serenissima by Erica Jong. was written several years ago and I believe is out of print, but if you can get a used copy or one from the library, it's well worth it.
Steven Saylor writes a great historical mystery series set in ancient Rome.
Stones of Florence (Mary McCarthy)
That Fine Italian Hand by Paul Hofmann.
The Agony and the Ecstasy, Irving Stone. Really gets you inside Michaelangelo's mind.
The City of Florence (R.W.B. Lewis)
The Collected Traveler: Central Italy Tuscany and Umbria. It is described as "an inspired anthology and travel resource." ISBN 0-609-80443-X
The Dark Heart of Italy" by Tobias Jones. It is an amazing eyeopener about the very real political and cultural malaise that exists in modern Italy. As the book cover describes, the author moved to Italy "expecting to discover the pastoral bliss described by centuries of foreign visitors. Instead he found a very different country: one besieged by unfathomable terrorism and deep-seated paranoia." I know it sounds depressing, but really it just balances the mythical Italy created by so many sycophantic books and movies. And ultimately helps you understand and still love this fascinating country.
The Death of Faith by. Donna Leon seems determined to expose the ugly underbelly of Italy and Venice in particular -- she's got issues! -- I found Donna Leon's books at MysteryLovers.com. They seem to have the whole Guido Brunetti series. But, having said that, her books left me with a feeling of sadness if what she sees in Italy is true -- corruption and rampant greed everywhere, a grim view of the Catholic Church, a dim view of tourists, and on and on.
The Decameron - For a series of great & fun short stories set in another century. These are all short stories based on different facets of love, and are quite entertaining.
The Donna Leon mystery novel series featuring her detective, Guido Brunetti, and set in Venice.
The Enchanted April by Elizabeth von Arnim. A gentle sweet novel about life, love and the changes natural beauty of the land bring to four English women. Movie was based on this book
The Garden of the Finzi-Continis by Giorgio Bassani. This novel is about a rich Jewish family in Ferrara on the eve of WWII.
The Geometry of Love by Margaret Visser is an excellent, poetic, lyrical, fact-filled introduction to why churches look the way they do. Absolutely fascinating,and you will feel so knowledgable every time you look at anything in a church, cathedral, basilica or chapel for evermore!
The Italians by Luigi Barzini
The Leopard, by Giuseppe di Lampedusa, is considered by some people to be the greatest Italian novel of the 20th century. The author was a Sicilian prince, and the hero of the novel (which takes place in the 1860's) was supposedly based on his great-grandfather. The book was turned into a movie with Burt Lancaster.
The Marshal by Magdalen Nabb.. for mystery lovers and all who find Florence fascinating, Cunningly crafted mystery stories, very well written and available through Amazon.com.
The Merchant of Prato gives a very interesting insight into what made one man a successful businessman in Tuscany in the late 14th-early 15th century.
The Miracles of Santo Fico is a sweet novel set in Tuscany.
The Name of the Rose. A mystery
The Rage and the Pride by Oriana Fallaci
The Roman Way by Edith Hamilton
The Seasons of Rome: A Journal. By Paul Hofmann
The Secret Book of Grazia dei Rossi by Jacquline Park set in several Italian cities during the Renaissance, about the plight of a young Jewish woman and her family as they are kicked out of one town after another. Very well researched.
The Shape of Water by Andrea Camilleri
The Sixteen Pleasures: A Novel, by Robert Hellenga.
The Soldier of the Great War by Mark Helprin. An elderly gentlemen relates the story of his life from growing up in a wealthy family in Rome through the horrors of World War 1. Survival, and love of family comes through; humorous at times, but very moving.
The Stones of Florence by Mary McCarthy
The Story of San Michele by Axel Munthe .. about Capri
The Terracotta Dog by Andrea Camilleri
The Wings of the Dove by Henry James
Twilight in Italy
Under the Tuscan Sun, of course, is now a well-recognized and widely-read book, among those of us who are Italophiles.
Vanilla Beans and Brodo by Isabella Dusi (nonfiction memoir, set in Montalcino)
Vaporetto 13 may be out of print now, but you can probably still obtain a copy through an out-of-print book service. Very intriguing, IMO.
Venetian Dreaming by Paul Weideger. It was discussed here before and a lot of people seemed to dislike it, but I really enjoyed it.
Venice Observed, Mary McCarthy
Where Angels Fear to Tread by e.m. forster
White Smoke Over the Vatican by Don Sharkey There is a great interesting small book about the story of the Vatican and the Pope's elections.
Wilful Behaviour by Donna Leon
Dec 20th, 2003, 09:35 AM
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A nice light read (a 6 hour plane ride's worth) about Italy is "The Last Promise" by Richard Evans. It is a simple romantic story about an artist and a tour guide at the Uffizi, not a brain stretcher, but a pleasant read that has loads of Italian atmosphere and vocabulary. It takes place in Florence and at a villa in Tuscany where Machiavelli is supposed to have lived.
Dec 31st, 2003, 02:56 AM
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What no I Claudius by Robert Graves! Fabulous book about the emperors, murder, emperors, murder, emperors, murder, emperors, murder, emperors, murder, emperors, murder, gripping read you'd not want to be Caesar, set in Rome, Pompei and Capri.
