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Italian Pleasures
As enchanting and irresistible as Italy itself, these evocative and personal essays by expatriates David Leavitt and Mark Mitchell conjure up the varied delights and delicacies of Italy, where they now live.
In alternating essays - published here for the first time - the authors vividly render the joys and surprises of their adopted homeland, including iced cappuccino, umbrella pines, the nuances of language, window shopping, the names and shapes of pasta, boys leaning against a wall, and sidewalk art made of dried flowers.
The authors have also interspersed short excerpts from their favorite writers, including Mary McCarthy, D. H. Lawrence, Carlo Levi, and Edith Wharton. Whimsical illustrations by Elvis Swift complement this distinctive and delightful portrait of a country and its culture.
In alternating essays - published here for the first time - the authors vividly render the joys and surprises of their adopted homeland, including iced cappuccino, umbrella pines, the nuances of language, window shopping, the names and shapes of pasta, boys leaning against a wall, and sidewalk art made of dried flowers.
The authors have also interspersed short excerpts from their favorite writers, including Mary McCarthy, D. H. Lawrence, Carlo Levi, and Edith Wharton. Whimsical illustrations by Elvis Swift complement this distinctive and delightful portrait of a country and its culture.
143 pages, Hardcover
First published August 4, 1996
About the author
David Leavitt
75 books440 followersLeavitt is a graduate of Yale University and a professor at the University of Florida, where he is the co-director of the creative writing program. He is also the editor of Subtropics magazine, The University of Florida's literary review.
Leavitt, who is openly gay, has frequently explored gay issues in his work. He divides his time between Florida and Tuscany, Italy.
Leavitt, who is openly gay, has frequently explored gay issues in his work. He divides his time between Florida and Tuscany, Italy.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
July 22, 2023
This is written in the tradition of a sketchbook, or notes from a foreign country, interspersed with fragments written about life in Italy by other writers.
The result is pleasant indeed, and gave me some ideas for things to research (esp. the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, the building of which most likely did not involve, as Nellie Melba reported, transporting an entire Venetian palazzo to Boston), but I was a bit disappointed; the vignettes written by Leavitt and Mitchell are rarely as penetrating as the fragments they quote, and somehow do not carry the book as well as I would wish. Still, the form of the book is something to remember and perhaps copy one day.
The result is pleasant indeed, and gave me some ideas for things to research (esp. the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, the building of which most likely did not involve, as Nellie Melba reported, transporting an entire Venetian palazzo to Boston), but I was a bit disappointed; the vignettes written by Leavitt and Mitchell are rarely as penetrating as the fragments they quote, and somehow do not carry the book as well as I would wish. Still, the form of the book is something to remember and perhaps copy one day.
February 17, 2018
I've been reading about this book ever since I discovered Leavitt, back in October 1998. Eventually, I got hold of it!
A very enjoyable reading on Italy and Italians.
Sometimes a slight glimpse of stereotypes kick in, however it sheds a light on Italy in the early Nineties, with some very interesting excursus from past authors on Italy.
The chaotic Italian politics unfortunately is still there...
Few notes:
- “sagra”, p.35. In Tuscany, the sagra was mostly sponsored by the Communist Party, but elsewhere it was not always sponsored by the (now defunct) Italian Communist Party. There were, and still are, a variety of “sagre” all around Italy, mostly linked to local traditions (either historical or enogastronomic).
- “pan d’oro”, p.70. Whilst this is the meaning, the way Italians spell this Xmas cake is “pandoro”, created by Mr. Melegatti in Verona at the end of 19th century.
- sometimes some spelling is mixed with Spanish, e.g. the TV program, “Perdonami” p.133, is actually written in its Spanish form, “Perdoname”.
A very enjoyable reading on Italy and Italians.
Sometimes a slight glimpse of stereotypes kick in, however it sheds a light on Italy in the early Nineties, with some very interesting excursus from past authors on Italy.
The chaotic Italian politics unfortunately is still there...
Few notes:
- “sagra”, p.35. In Tuscany, the sagra was mostly sponsored by the Communist Party, but elsewhere it was not always sponsored by the (now defunct) Italian Communist Party. There were, and still are, a variety of “sagre” all around Italy, mostly linked to local traditions (either historical or enogastronomic).
- “pan d’oro”, p.70. Whilst this is the meaning, the way Italians spell this Xmas cake is “pandoro”, created by Mr. Melegatti in Verona at the end of 19th century.
- sometimes some spelling is mixed with Spanish, e.g. the TV program, “Perdonami” p.133, is actually written in its Spanish form, “Perdoname”.
August 10, 2020
Some of the essays were beautifully written, others felt a bit pretentious. Overall, I liked reading about the American perception of Italy.
April 17, 2021
a really poetic little book :) highly recommend
August 15, 2023
Pretentious beyond words
January 9, 2009
this book is hilarious, if there were more stars I'd give them to it. Anyone who's planning a trip to Italy for the first time should read it before they go.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews