One of the best activities related to traveling is undoubtedly planning…But what if planning can also include travel with your imagination? Today we will propose to you some books to absolutely read before visiting Italy!
We talked about movies, we talked about podcasts..books just could not miss!
Books to Read Before Visiting Italy: Novels
A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway (1929)
This is a Love Story during the final year of the First World War. Hemingway’s own experience, set in Trentino, South Tyrol, and Lake Maggiore.
A Room With A View by E. M. Forster (1908)
This romance is set in Italy and England, you will explore deeply the beautiful city of Florence. It follows the story of Lucy Honeychurch and her struggles of being a woman at the end of 1800.
Angels & Demons by Dan Brown (2000)
If you want to discover Rome reading a story full of enigmas and mystery this is the novel for you. It’s the sequel of the Da Vinci Code and it is full of symbolism and conspiracies too.
Under the Tuscan Sun by Frances Maye (1996)
Let yourself be charmed by the magic of Tuscany and Italian food. This is a romantic story full of passion and secrets about our beautiful countryside.
My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante (2011) – The Neapolitan Novels
The story is set in Naples and it’s focused on a long-lasting friendship between two girls. The books follow their relationship from childhood to adulthood during the 60s and 70s, in a time period during which Italy was struggling with different social issues, between class conflicts and women’s role in society.
The Land Where Lemons Grow by Helene Atlee (2014)
Get ready to get lost in Italian history, food, and art with this novel. Helene Atlee mixes all of this together with travel writing, following the story of the citrus all along with Italy: Lake Garda, Tuscany, Calabria, Sicily..
Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter (2012)
The ambitious plot, romance, and Italy as one of the space settings. Also, Cinque Terre will be part of this story. As The Guardian says “Everyone is a character in everyone else’s script in this intricately plotted novel”..
Historical Books
The House of Medici: Its Rise and Fall by Christopher Hibbert
Immerse yourself into the city of Florence during the Renaissance, discovering the history of the powerful House of Medici. This is a book about power, Italian history, and culture.
SPQR: A History of Ancient Rome by Mary Beard (2015)
It narrates the history of Rome from a different perspective. It will be absolutely fascinating for the ones really curious about roman culture and developments during centuries.
City of Fortune: How Venice Ruled the Seas by Roger Crowley (2011)
Historical novel about the city of Venice and its history from its origins over more than 500 years.