Calabria: The Other Italy

by Karen Haid

Once the hub of the Mediterranean, Calabria now dangles, largely ignored, at the bottom of the Italian boot, struggling for survival, acceptance and a place in modern Italy and the world. Little-known even to Italians outside the nefarious activities of its ‘Ndrangheta mafia organization, Calabria allures with its simplicity and rewards with an underlying complexity, as in savoring an artisanal cheese, appreciating an ancient Greek masterwork or interpreting a particularly expressive phrase in the local dialect. Based on the author’s experiences living, working and traveling throughout the region, The Other Italy captures the essence of present-day Calabria, weaving observation, personal anecdote, salient historical information and social commentary into a nonfiction narrative that combines travelogue with an exploration of everyday life and culture. At times humorous, at others poignant, this fascinating work shares the joys and challenges of the “other Italy.” From the moment author Karen Haid sets foot on the soil of this mysterious backwater, she is fascinated by the characteristic determination of its people, the wealth of its history and art, the beauty and variety of its landscape, and the rich culture, most often celebrated for its extraordinary culinary offerings. She presents a contemporary picture of the people and the place, putting the reader in her shoes, both as a resident and traveler in this oft-neglected region of Italy. From colorful tales of encounters with the Calabrese people to those of a windsurfing saint, from the unparalleled pair of 2,500-year-old Riace Bronzes to a couple of dancing giants, from ancient castles and towers to pristine beaches and mountains, from an intense wild licorice to the unique bergamot fruit, The Other Italy explores an Italy less traveled. Along her journey, the author teaches English, studies Italian, deals with criminality, rides trains, confronts the post office, visits museums and historic sites, experiences festivals, takes a spa cure, pops over to Sicily and Basilicata, meets locals, learns a few life lessons and eats a lot of great food. This vivid armchair travelogue embraces daily life, culture, history, the arts, food, society and tourism of Calabria, a beautiful and at times complicated region in southern Italy.

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

282 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 7, 2015

About the author

Knowing the meaning of “al dente” before it was in vogue, Karen Haid inherited her love of Italy and its traditions from her parents. She went on to earn Dante Alighieri Society’s most advanced certification as well as credentials to teach the Italian language and culture from Reggio Calabria’s University for Foreigners. Calabria: The Other Italy grew out of a four-year immersion, observing, interacting and absorbing the wonders of the people and the place. She teaches, translates and writes on Italy and other topics. Visit her Italian blog: http://www.calabriatheotheritaly.com/...

Reviews

[Philip Koslow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ms.Haid has accomplished a formidable task in presenting a grand picture of a misunderstood and almost forgotten part of Europe"s arguably most fascinating country. And done with an unerring eye for cultural values, historical accuracy, and personal anecdotes abetted with a good dose of humor.

It has been a century since a non-Italian writer has ventured to describe this part of the Italian peninsula in such detail that in turn reveals both the joy and pathos engrained in the Calabrian soul. Yet her recollections provide a transparency necessary for embracing a place with a long and troubled history that remains an enigma even into the 21st century.

This narrative rates with the near incomparable memoirs of Norman Douglas who wrote about this part of the world in the early years of the previous century and brings up to date a view of a place that deserves more than any contemporary headlines may reveal.

Highly recommended to anyone world wide who may consider themselves an adopted Italian or by natural DNA. To be re-read often and with great admiration.

[Orna O'Reilly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a must-read for anyone with an interest in Italy beyond the descriptions of blue seas and skies which we read about on a daily basis and of which hundreds, if not thousands, of books crowd the travel section in every bookshop. I loved it and found it a fascinating snapshot of a region of Italy which is mysterious and perhaps slightly forbidding to those of us who have never visited. It captures the culture, with its ancient history and time-honoured customs in a setting of mountains and sea where the people are friendly and were certainly eager to show off their region to a blonde American lady when she spent time living among them. Written in a highly readable and amusing style, I can recommend this book to anyone with a love of Italy.

[Ishita Sood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Karen Haid’s well written and honest account of living in Calabria flows seamlessly and shows her love for culture. This book is a wealth of information for anyone wanting to travel to Calabria. There’s so much you’ll absorb about the region that you might have a list of towns to see and explore at the end

[Edith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Calabria is seems fascinating, with its ancient significance in Magna Graecia, and its present subordinate position relative to the north of Italy. But this book hovers awkwardly between straightforward travel writing and a kind of sporadic personal history, and does not do its subject justice. The author, an American woman who taught English in schools at Locri and Reggio, moves back and forth in time disjointedly, and the reader is left somewhat disoriented. (I will say that the author has provided excellent maps, a rarity.).

I found the book a bit of a struggle. I wish there were a better book on this region, which clearly deserves one.

PS The author's Italian blog offers a more interesting, and far better illustrated, look at Calabria. Worth looking at.

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have family in Calabria...I've been there to stay with them...I really liked Hald's book.
It is an honest, educating and endearing travelogue of various places in Calabria where she has spent time and shows how interesting and beautiful a place it is. She also includes, and to a certain point relieves, the concerns about the 'underworld' activities. As well we find out about the extremes of geography and weather...earthquakes, volcanoes and the sirocco winds coming from north Africa.
She captures the history in small bites as she travels through the towns...and millennia...from cro-magnon man on to present day families.

[Judith Babarsky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful Journey through Calabria

This is the best book written in English to date that I have read about Calabria. My husband's family in his mom's side is originally from Calabria. We have visited several times and this book provides new insights and ideas for places to visit during our future trips. It is written in an engaging style, just enough detail to provide a context and historical background, but not so much that the reader gets bogged down in unnecessary facts. The author does a great job of describing the history through the ages that has its roots in Calabria. Definitely worth a read if you're interested in Calabria and its history.

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cosi cosi

Being of Calabrian descent I really wanted to like this book. Not a bad book, not a good one. Lacks warmth and humor. Mostly felt like a book report or review she was forced to write.

Despite professing a love of Italy and the culture I never felt like she actually enjoyed her time there. After about 100 pages of trying to enjoy the book I just read a couple other trip reviews and then called it a wrap.

[Michael Odza · Rating 5 out of 5]

An American's Life in Calabria

Anecdotes strung together across her 4 years of teaching, anchored with bits of history and culture, from delightful to the kind that only seems amusing in retrospect. The author paints a deeply layered portrait that from my all-too brief visit is true.

[francesco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding observation of Calabria and engaging narrative!

The author had managed to convey her love for Calabria and have the reader witness first hand three thousand years of history.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book! I learned so many things, i.e., origin of the words paparazzi and Italy, the bergamot fruit, the Bronze statues. I'm grateful that Karen wrote about her experiences while living there. It is a must-read for anyone planning a visit to southern Italy.

[Elie Rivollier · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very different Italy

A great take on a little known part of Italy told with affection and humor. The author is able to successfully juxtapose both the struggles and the triumphs of a unique part of the country.

[Tony Gualtieri · Rating 5 out of 5]

A splendid evocation of this neglected corner of Italy. Like all good travel books, one finishes it with plans to visit. I would love to see Mount Etna towering above the Straits of Messina!

[Alohatiki · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was recommended to me by an Italian friend from the region since my family comes from Calabria. Can't say I am dying to visit but I did learn a lot about the area.

[Cecelia Price · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative for my upcoming trip to Calabria. Thanks Karen, for all your hardships.

[Peter Hurley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Calabria mia

I was expecting more of a travel guide format. But the biographical narrative was well written and I enjoyed the author’s insights into the culture, politics &, especially, the pastries of the region.
More photos & Italian words would help set a more engaging mood.
How about a sequel set in Cosenza?

[Rick Valenzi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great travel book, soaked in the history of Calabria and the modest, lively and hospitable culture that came from it. Made me very excited for our upcoming trip my family's homeland!

[Dr NSCA-CPT · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of meeting the author Karen Haid while participating in a book signing event. Her book "Calabria: The Other Italy" details her adventures in Southern Italy.
I enjoyed reading this book. It is fun, interesting, educational and well-written. The author does a fantastic job of describing the scenery and people with vivid detail making it easy to picture the people and places. The stories of her trips and life in Southern Italy are fun to read and move quickly. I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in travel, Europe and especially Italy.

[Monique Martello · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very Interesting! I really enjoyed her account of the various towns in this undiscovered part of Italy. This is the region of my ancestors. I think Karen Haid did a great job weaving humor with history and sharing her personal accounts of the many warm people she met throughout Calabria.

[Patrick Macke · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this as a gift in light of impending travel ... The book is somewhere between a travelogue, a basic history lesson and a personal story ... Essentially a book without a country, it fails due to an identity crisis

[David Carrozzino · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

I enjoyed this book...not much written on calabria...we will be visiting next year...gave mevgreat ideas on somevhill town i never heard of.

[Gordon · Rating 3 out of 5]

First two thirds of book informative, regarding present time and area’s history, but last third not so. If you are going to go to southern Calabria read this book. If you are only going to northern Calabria I would recommend not reading the book.