From its simple pleasures like delicious fresh gelato, to it’s exquisite details like the architecture in the centre of Florence, an Italian life seems very rich indeed, and often quite loud! I have visited Italy several times and always enjoyed myself there. In fact, I would be preparing for a trip to Rome next week, if the situation were different.
Here are the books I suggest
you read if you want to be transported (through reading) to Italy:
Set in Italy
My Brilliant Friend – Elena
Ferrante
Ferrante’s four Neapolitan
novels follow the lives and friendship of Lila and Elena, starting during their
childhood in a ‘tough-as-nails’ neighbourhood of Naples. At turns shocking, but
also touching, the story will quickly hook you and you’ll have read all four
books in no time. The titles that follow this one are: The Story of a New Name,
Those Who Leave and Those Who Stay, and The Story of the Lost Child.
Under the Tuscan Sun –
Frances Mayes
If you’ve ever dreamed of
renovating a relic in Tuscany, you’ll love Mayes’ tale of discoveries at every
turn as she makes the most of a Tuscan life.
A Farewell to Arms – Ernest
Hemingway
Dramatic historic fiction
and love story set against the backdrop of the Italian campaign of World War I.
The book is said to be semi-autobiographical, inspired by Hemingway’s time as
an ambulance driver in Italy.
A Room with a View – E.M.
Forster
To enjoy a first-timer’s
experiences of Italy this makes a fine introduction, albeit a bit dated now.
Our sheltered English rose swaps rigid Edwardian England for the intense colour
and life of Florence, and then has to decide whether or not she is brave enough
to fight for love, with all its uncertainties.
Romeo and Juliet – William
Shakespeare
This love story to beat all
love stories, set ‘in fair Verona’ tells the sweet but seriously ill-fated tale
of teenage lovers from warring households.
Books partly set in Italy
The English Patient –
Michael Ondaatje
This beautiful novel is
about four individuals ending World War II in a ruined Tuscan villa. Their
stories are all separate but linked by the English Patient – a nameless and
badly burned pilot convalescing among them, whose story is told through
flashbacks to his time in the Sahara and a haunting love story.
Eat, Pray, Love – Elizabeth
Gilbert
This auto-biographical story
takes us on a journey from a modern-day breakdown to an adventure of
self-discovery, healing and unexpected romance. The author took herself to
Italy to enjoy ‘the art of pleasure’ (the language and culture, but mostly
eating!) The story continues in India and Bali, Indonesia.
Have you read other books about Italy? Share your recommendations in the comments below!
