Essential Reading List - Great Books About or Set in Italy
Mar 26th, 2006, 04:29 PM
#144
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 281
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed the biography of Girolamo Savonarola! Before, I had thought he was a crazy fanatic, now I am enthralled with this great man, and can't wait to go back to San Marco and visit his cell.
"A Crown of Fire" by Pierre Van Paassen
"A Crown of Fire" by Pierre Van Paassen
May 22nd, 2006, 04:58 PM
#145
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,567
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have a wonderful recommendation for fiction set in Italy: CASA ROSSA by Francesca Marciano. It is the story of a beautiful villa in Southern Italy Puglia and the three generation women that called it home. Breathtaking and very, very engaging. I could not put this book down.
Apr 17th, 2007, 10:01 AM
#148
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 251
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I am currently reading "The Reluctant Tuscan" by Phil Doran. Very entertaining. It takes place in Montalpuciano.
Last Voyage of the Valentina by Santa Montefiore was also very entertaining.
I am also trying to read Vanilla Beans and Brodo but it is not as easy to read. Takes place in Montalcino.
Last Voyage of the Valentina by Santa Montefiore was also very entertaining.
I am also trying to read Vanilla Beans and Brodo but it is not as easy to read. Takes place in Montalcino.
Apr 19th, 2007, 10:58 AM
#150
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Highly recommend Eat, Pray, Love...cannot remember the author..it is a fun and fascinating read. A travelogue of Italy, India and Indonesia. The first part is in Italy with emphasis on the food, the second in an ashram in India and the third in Indonesis where the author finds love. Hence the title.
Apr 21st, 2007, 09:09 AM
#151
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 20,439
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Elizabeth Gilbert is the author of Eat, Pray, Love. Definitely an entertaining read but not really that much about Rome/Italy.
I would recommend that anyone reading this thread also check out another one that was started in 2001 and has recently been reactivated. The heading is "What Should I read before Going to Italy?" I (recently returned from a trip to Rome and still reading about Italy) am finding lots of good suggestions on it.
I would recommend that anyone reading this thread also check out another one that was started in 2001 and has recently been reactivated. The heading is "What Should I read before Going to Italy?" I (recently returned from a trip to Rome and still reading about Italy) am finding lots of good suggestions on it.
Sep 19th, 2007, 06:13 PM
#152
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 750
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
an old thread that deserves to be at the top of the pile.
Dog_Mother....Grazie for a very excellent list.
I absolutely loved Marlena de Blasi's "A Thousand Days in Venice" ...utterly romantic. Her Tuscany book was delightful, but not as good as the first (is it ever?)
I also loved Brendt's "City of Falling Angels". Such a interesting story and style. Details mixed in with facts. Fabulous!
Dog_Mother....Grazie for a very excellent list.
I absolutely loved Marlena de Blasi's "A Thousand Days in Venice" ...utterly romantic. Her Tuscany book was delightful, but not as good as the first (is it ever?)
I also loved Brendt's "City of Falling Angels". Such a interesting story and style. Details mixed in with facts. Fabulous!
May 7th, 2009, 10:07 AM
#153
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,567
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
TO DogMother who wrote >>Ripe for the Picking by Annie Hawes. I cannot find anything about this book anywhere. So I’m uncertain of the accuracy of the title/author/etc.<<
Actually, this book went to press under the title "Extra Virgin: A young woman discovers the Italian Riviera, where every month is enchanted". Amazingly entertaining, Annie and her sister went to Italy for a summer and ended up staying there to live. Absolutely great rec.
Actually, this book went to press under the title "Extra Virgin: A young woman discovers the Italian Riviera, where every month is enchanted". Amazingly entertaining, Annie and her sister went to Italy for a summer and ended up staying there to live. Absolutely great rec.
May 7th, 2009, 05:47 PM
#154
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I would like to add a sports slant to this list.
"The Miracle of Castel Di Sangro" by Joe Mcginniss. An American writer goes to a small town to follow a soccer team thru one season. Very well written and entertaining even if you don't like soccer.
"A Season with Verona" by Tim Parks English writer follows his adopted town of Verona's soccer team to all road games. Hilarious.
These descriptions sound similar but they are very different books. Enjoy
"The Miracle of Castel Di Sangro" by Joe Mcginniss. An American writer goes to a small town to follow a soccer team thru one season. Very well written and entertaining even if you don't like soccer.
"A Season with Verona" by Tim Parks English writer follows his adopted town of Verona's soccer team to all road games. Hilarious.
These descriptions sound similar but they are very different books. Enjoy
May 8th, 2009, 02:31 AM
#155
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 20,439
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I am not a huge sports fan but really enjoyed both the books mentioned by curveball2. Tim Parks' other books, Italian Neighbors and an Italian Education are also very good
My husband just found A Thousand Bells at Noon: A Roman's Guide to the Secrets and Pleasures of His Native City: Franco G. Romagnoli on a remainder table at our local bookstore, and I liked it a lot too
My husband just found A Thousand Bells at Noon: A Roman's Guide to the Secrets and Pleasures of His Native City: Franco G. Romagnoli on a remainder table at our local bookstore, and I liked it a lot too
May 8th, 2009, 07:24 AM
#156
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
"That Summer in Italy" by DeBlasi draws the reader into an enchanting tale. A fabulous read.
Keep your eyes out for Isabella Dusi's [Vanilla Beans and Brodo] expected new book
.
There's a comprehensive list, sorted by regions, on www.ItalyInside.BlogSpot.com [movies too]
Keep your eyes out for Isabella Dusi's [Vanilla Beans and Brodo] expected new book
.
There's a comprehensive list, sorted by regions, on www.ItalyInside.BlogSpot.com [movies too]
Jan 24th, 2010, 05:07 PM
#159
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 4,412
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
As I scrolled through this old thread, I realized that I had seen it before and contributed to it.
Here's what I wrote in 2004:
"There are many worthy suggestions here, but I am struck by the fact that the vast majority of books recommended are by non-Italian authors. I think that I can count on one hand the number of Italians suggested. Surely one of the best ways to learn about a country is to read its literature.
I'd be interested in hearing suggestions for books by modern Italian authors beyond those already cited (Eco, Lampedusa, Camilleri et al)."
In subsequent posts, little has changed. Can anyone recommend some modern Italian authors whose works are available in translation?
Here's what I wrote in 2004:
"There are many worthy suggestions here, but I am struck by the fact that the vast majority of books recommended are by non-Italian authors. I think that I can count on one hand the number of Italians suggested. Surely one of the best ways to learn about a country is to read its literature.
I'd be interested in hearing suggestions for books by modern Italian authors beyond those already cited (Eco, Lampedusa, Camilleri et al)."
In subsequent posts, little has changed. Can anyone recommend some modern Italian authors whose works are available in translation?
Jan 24th, 2010, 07:44 PM
#160
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I can't wait to read some of these before my March trip to Italy.
I don't think anyone mentioned this one:
Elizabeth Spencer's novella The Light in the Piazza. It will absolutely make you want to fall in love with Firenze...and cute Italian boys. If you ever get the chance to see the musical adaptation by Adam Guettel, DO IT. It is pure magic.
I don't think anyone mentioned this one:
Elizabeth Spencer's novella The Light in the Piazza. It will absolutely make you want to fall in love with Firenze...and cute Italian boys. If you ever get the chance to see the musical adaptation by Adam Guettel, DO IT. It is pure magic.
