City of the Soul: A Walk in Rome

Crown Journeys Series

by William Murray

“One lifetime is not enough for Rome,” the famous saying goes, and anyone who’s ever been there knows these words to be true. In City of the Soul , William Murray begins to show us why.

Growing up in Rome and spending much of his life in the city, William Murray is an expert guide as he takes us on an intimate walking tour of some of Rome’s most glorious achievements, illuminating the history and the mythology that define the city. Murray leads us through the centro, the city’s historic downtown center. He writes about the Villa Borghese, the Piazza di Spagna, and the Trevi Fountain and describes such singular attractions as the Capuchin Church of Santa Maria della Concezione, whose macabre crypt has impressed visitors from Mark Twain to the Marquis de Sade.

As he walks, he reveals stories that only a longtime resident would know, capturing the sights, sounds, and flavors that make Rome a combination of the deep past and the ever-sensual present.

Genres: Travel, Italy, History, Nonfiction, Cities, Italian Literature

144 pages, Hardcover

First published February 4, 2003

About the author

William Murray was an American fiction editor and staff writer at The New Yorker for more than thirty years. He wrote a series of mystery novels set in the world of horse racing, many featuring Shifty Lou Anderson, a professional magician and horseplayer. Among his many contributions to The New Yorker was the magazine's "Letters from Italy" of which he was the sole author. The majority of his later years were spent living in Del Mar, California, "exactly 3.2 miles from the finish line" of Del Mar Thoroughbred Club. Murray died in March 2005 at age 78. Just prior to his death, Murray had completed a book about Chicago's Lyric Opera Center for American Artists.

Reviews

[Preeti · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the book I expected my previous (unfinished) read - Florence: A Delicate Case - to be. It served as a nice introduction to Rome prior to my trip there. The author intersperses his experiences in Rome with the history of the city, serving as a tour guide through the streets, the monuments, and the art.

This was a short, easy read, one that I probably could have finished in a few hours if I just sat down and focused. It was a great introduction to a city that I knew little about.

[Laurie Neighbors · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love little impressionistic books like this, especially when they are designed to capture the essence of a place, and especially when they are written late in life and have as their purpose to hold on to the most crystalline moments of one's life. You could read this book in one sitting and then go read more about the passing, taken-for-granted details, or read guide books or more literary travelogues of Rome. But I like this too -- one person's imprint on a particular intersection or at the foot of a particular sculpture or sitting a particular cafe. Maybe even more.

[Catherine Woodman]

I read this in preparation for an upcoming (2 days) trip to ROme, and really enjoyed it--I wouldn't recommend it outside that context--just not much of a story to it otherwise, but if you are trying to steep yourself in the aura of the moment and get psyched, this is a great way to to do that. Also, it is apparently part of a travel book series which might be worth looking at for other trips.

[Cherrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rome prep read. Makes me wanna stay there longer already. Like how the book concludes with stories of Roman woman figures in Murray’s life, family love, not the often belittling lovers.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was interesting in that I had just returned from Italy and recognized some of the places discussed in the book. Had I not been to Italy I probably would not have enjoyed the book so much. Learned about some places I would like to visit on my next trip to Italy.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I certainly have to concur with author Murray that Rome is a unique and wonderful place. This little book is a gentle pleasure to read. Not much new here, but there are some interesting factoids and it's nice to read of this man's personal attachment to a place that I also love. He's a good writer with the soul of an opera singer.

[Sharon Todd · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a short, enjoyable book, as the author compared modern Rome with how things were when he was growing up, and told about various neighbor hoods he lived in as he walked around. It lacked a map, which = 4*, but I had a travel guide map to refer to.

He begins in the north and walks south, describing how one street differs from another (shops, residential, busy, what famous person used to live there, etc.). I especially enjoyed his description of buildings - who designed them, built them, decorated them. Pope Paul IV had many buildings and gates and monuments built, keeping many architects and Michaelangelo employed! However, he had an "Inquisitional" personality and was hated by most everybody.

While not a Catholic book, much of Rome was built by the Popes, and many are named.

[TheSaint · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to this while walking on the sleepy early morning streets of my neighborhood in a significantly less historical city in the western United States. It was a lovely refresher course in the Rome that I visited for only a few days.

The author spent much more time in Rome as a child, then youth, then as a yearly visitor, and those experiences and memories color these pages. Wistful for Mr. Murray in his reminiscences; wistful for me in that my walks through Rome will never be as rich as his.

Side note: the only other book in the Crown Journeys series that I have read is Chuck Palahniuk's Fugitives and Refugees. Transgressional non-fiction, if you please, and 180 degrees in tone from City of the Soul.

[Amie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was an interesting mix of the history of Rome, a feel for the modern city, and the author's own experiences. I read it several years ago, and enjoyed it. Having just returned from my first visit to Rome, I decided to read it again. I thought it was equally enjoyable both times - the first time because it conjured up images of an exciting place I hadn't seen, and this time because it was fun to read about places we'd been. I also appreciate the author's perspective as someone who lived in Rome for years, and will remember some of the less-frequented locations he talked about for future visits.

[Laurie Byro · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sort of boring only a few interesting parts. AND it mentions this guy.

https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem...

which is something, but that poem in two pages tells us more about Italy/Italians than the book. In my view, I may be missing something but not that great, I gave it 3 stars because the writing is competent enough.

[Kristina Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

A charming love letter to Rome, as well as a guidebook of the places worth seeing in that great city, by journalist and author William Murray, who lived there after WWII and studied voice, hoping for a career in opera. At the time this book was published in 2003, he was living in the States but visited Rome often.

[Marcella · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was a nice romantic (if dated) romp through Rome. Having just returned, much of the spirit of what he writes remains.

It’s a nice read to prep for a trip. I finished all but 2 chapters before I left and it puts you in an admiring mood for the city.

[Ally · Rating 4 out of 5]

A charming introduction to Rome for those about to visit or who want an intimate look into the ancient and revered city.

[Zibby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Old school is a nice school to be in. A fun library find to help prepare for the enchantment that is Rome and traveling to new places and old times. Glad I found it exploring the shelves.

[Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author has worked for The New York Times, Time, Playboy and Esquire - and his writing shows a pretty fair blend of that content, I think (though the work is text only;-) His stories of living in Italy, especially in the fascinating decades that surrounded World War II, are invaluable. His perspective and writing style are strong and personal experience adds taste flavor into his anectdotes. I'd have to disagree with another recent Goodreads review though - this book does NOT successfully serve as a guide book for Rome at all. Interesting stories abound, but the historical and cultural info come only as background or incidentally, not as the main content (and I mean that as a compliment.)

[Samantha Birk · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book was OK. It is always interesting to hear about the Eternal City from different perspectives -- visitors, historians, residence. Some of his historical facts are a bit off and at one point it becomes a bit more about the author's life than the city itself. Having traveled and taught in Rome for more than 20 years, I found the book mildly interesting, but some of its inaccuracies made me want to pull my hair out from time to time. It does do a wonderful job painting a portrait of the feeling, rhythm and flavor of the city of Rome.

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice little travelogue of the author's experience growing up in, and regularly coming back to, the Eternal City. Some interesting notes to factor into a trip of one's own, and definitely helped give me a better "feel" for the city in general (I think -- haven't actually been yet). I'd recommend for someone planning a visit, but as a stand-alone piece of literature, it's not quite substantial enough to stand on its own. If I could give half stars it'd be a 3.5 overall: 4 for the curious traveler; 3 for a non-traveling reader. If you're in the former category, enjoy!

[Heep · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had read the book some time ago and listened to the audio book today while driving out of town. I really enjoyed it. The author is extremely efficient and has produced a highly readable introduction to Rome - its geography, people and history. Most visitors, and particularly those going to Rome for the first time, would do well to read this book. It is a breeze but full of interesting tidbits and a great explanation of how to get around the city's historic core.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am missing travel right now and have limited time and attention for reading. This book was a chance to revisit Rome a snippet or two at a time. The city the author knew in the 30s, 40s, and 50s, and the one I visited in 2016 were quite different, yet eternally the same. That is the magic of Rome. My main complaint about the book is that so many of the places the author referenced in his memories were not identified on the map. Still, it was nice to think about Rome.

[Chestelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book before a trip to Rome and found it very helpful. It leads you through Rome with the purpose of absorbing the flavor of the city, rather than just hopping from tourist attraction to tourist attraction. It, of course, covers the main tourist spots, but ties them in with a lot of history and less well-know spots, as well.

[Phil · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit of a conundrum here. The author offers a very detailed perspective on parts of the city both on and off the beaten path. The problem is that (despite great maps on the end papers - extra credit here!) if you haven't been there, it loses something. On the other hand, if you have, you can only appreciate it in hindsight.

[Beverley Kaye · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book manages to be a personal journey of remembrance and a guidebook. Throughout his reminiscences Mr. Murray manages to interweave history and geography, I would enjoy a walk with him down the lanes of his beloved Rome.

[Tony · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one's about Rome and it's good. Makes me sad, "homesick" even.

[Barbara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good getting-in-the-mood-to-travel stuff.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written in narrative style, it is pretty much a guide for touring Rome but much more interesting to read.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this while in Rome and really enjoyed it. Not sure how much I would have enjoyed the book without knowing a bit about the city. Easy read.

[Dianne Lange · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wish I had read this before I went to Rome last spring. I'll just have to go back, with this book in hand.

[Kl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Parts of this I loved. The history was fascinating, tragic at times.
He painted a lovely visual. Other parts are slow and draggy.
Zoned out on some parts because of that.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

For someone who spent 9 months exploring the streets of Rome (me), this was ear candy (did the audio version.)

[Denise Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great read before a visit.