Head Over Heel: Seduced by Southern Italy

by Chris Harrison

After falling in love with la bella Daniela, Chris Harrison uproots his life to follow her to her small hometown on the coast of Puglia and live la dolce vita . Can their relationship possibly survive the eccentric cast of characters they encounter or will the sweet life turn sour? This is an enchanting tale of amore, Italian style.

Genres: Travel, Italy, Nonfiction, Romance, Biography, Memoir

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Puppybluesea · Rating 5 out of 5]

ตอนแรกนึกว่าจะอ่านพริ้วๆ แบบ 1 year in Provence แต่มันทำให้เราสะเทือนใจหลายอย่างทั้งเรื่องเหยียดชนชาติ (อย่างรุนแรง) ทั้งๆ ที่เป็นคนในประเทศเดียวกัน ทั้งเรื่องการพัฒนาประเทศ ระบบราชการที่อ่อนแอ ตำรวจคือตัวตลกประจำท้องถิ่น ระบบจราจรที่น่าขนลุก มองอีตาลีคือ ประเทศไทยในอนาคต ถ้าเรายังดำเนินกันอย่างนี้ คำว่าประเทศพัฒนาแล้ว มันจำกัดความยังไงกันแน่?

ปล.สมแล้ว ที่หนังสือได้รางวัล คนเขียน ค้นประวัติศาสตร์ มาเล่าเป็นฉากๆ ทำให้เราเข้าใจอิตาลีดีขึ้นมากๆ

ปล.2 มันไม่ใช่หนังสือนำเที่ยว มันเป็นหนังสือสารคดีนะ

ปล.3 สนุกกก

[Stephen · Rating 3 out of 5]

funny memoir/travelogue around Italy by an Australian who meets an Italian girl called Daniela with one L in Dublin and becomes a romance where the author moves to southern italy

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book jacket of Head Over Heel: Seduced by Southern Italy promises a “hilarious and captivating story” that features “[a] whitewashed fishing village, a shapely signorina and an infatuated young man — head over heels on the heel of the boot.”

And boy does this book deliver.

Head Over Heel is a sweet, funny love letter from Aussie Chris Harrison (@harrisonwriter on Twitter) to both his Italian wife Daniela and her country, which he, erm, has a special relationship with — the kind I think many of us expats in Italy can understand.

Harrison shares tales from his two years of courtship with Daniela, a Puglian gal he met in Ireland and then followed home to the heel of the boot. Yes, Daniela comes from one of *those* small towns with the gorgeous scenery, peculiar characters, and happenstance encounters, and Harrison does an excellent job of vividly painting each scene from ridiculous meetings with the lollipop police (carabinieri for the uninitiated) to the over-the-top religious festivals that his wife actually shuns. I love that many of Daniela (and her father’s) ideas run counter to southern Italian stereotypes — but not always and not totally, which simply enriches the book even more.

Harrison is a keen observer and brilliant writer, and as someone who happens to live in a similar small town in southern Italy, I found myself laughing and nodding along in agreement quite often. His portrayal of southern Italians is never condescending though, as he repeatedly acknowledges that his reality and frames of references are simply different from theirs — this is not an easy balance to strike, and I commend Harrison for the respect and love that shine through his words even when his criticisms might otherwise be considered biting.

I must also mention that although the book is laugh-out-loud funny at times, Harrison excels when tackling difficult subjects with conflicting layers of emotion. Scenes involving Daniela’s father, who has been afflicted with Alzheimer’s, and a rescued dog are particularly poignant and well-written.

I give Head Over Heel five espresso cups out of five.

I simply loved every moment while reading this book, and I anxiously await the sequel, which I imagine will feature some of the unsolicited Italian advice Chris and his wife Daniela have surely received on raising children. Auguri on the latest addition by the way!

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a cleverly written tale about adjusting to life in a new country. If you’ve read Pasquale’s Nose: Idle Days in an Italian Town by Michael Rips or Extra Virgin: A Young Woman Discovers the Italian Riviera, Where Every Month Is Enchanted by Annie Hawes (both of which I also loved), I think you’ll find that Harrison’s book fits in nicely with that genre, i.e., what I like to think of as loving, all-in-good-fun portrayals of sometimes quirky-to-foreigners Italian life.

Make no mistake: you do have to have a sense of humor in general — and about Italians and Italian life in particular — to enjoy this book, but if you have both and are in the mood to get lost in Puglia (and who isn’t?), do yourself a favor and pick up a copy.

Don’t blame me, though, if your next vacation just *has* to be to the south of Italy. . . blame Crris Arriston with H in front (read the book).

[Luk-Wa · Rating 4 out of 5]

บันทึกการใช้ชีวิตที่ต่างแดนของชายหนุ่มออสเตรเลียที่ได้ตกหลุมรักหญิงสาวชาวอิตาลี ที่ได้เปลี่ยนโลกของเขาไปอย่างสุดขั้ว

เราเคยดูยูทูบรายการนึงที่เฮียวิทย์เล่าว่า "ประเทศอิตาลีเป็นเหมือนบ้านพี่เมืองน้องประเทศไทย" พออ่านเล่มนี้จนจบ ขอคอนเฟิร์ม100%ว่าใช่จริงๆ คือหลายๆอย่างทั้งนิสัยผู้คน ความเฟรนลี่ ความคิด บ้านเมืองไร้ระเบียบ การคมนาคมขนส่งแบบหวานเย็น การมีกฏหมายหรือมีตำรวจก็เหมือนไม่มี การติดสินบนให้หน่วยราชการหรือการคอรัปชั่นทางการเมือง การเหยียดชนชาติเดียวกันที่มาจากต่างภาค และการให้ความสำคัญกับเรื่องอาหารการกินอันดับหนึ่ง คือแทบจะเหมือนไทยมากๆ

เหมาะกับคนที่กำลังเรียนภาษาอิตาลี ในเล่มมีคำศัพท์และประโยคเยอะมาก หรือคนที่อยากเรียนรู้ไปกับวัฒนธรรมอิตาลี ใช้เวลาอ่านหน่อย เพราะตัวหนังสืออัดแน่นเต็มๆหน้า

และเรื่องนี้เกิดขึ้นตั้งแต่ก่อนปี2009 บางอย่างเลยอาจจะล้าสมัย เพราะตั้งแต่สมัยไม่มีมือถือ อินเตอร์เนท ตอนนี้อาจจะมีบางอย่างที่เปลี่ยนไปแล้วก็ได้

เราชอบประโยคที่เวลาผู้เขียนเจอตลอดคือ "คุณมาทำบ้าอะไรที่นี่"😆


-----------------------------‐---------------------------------
"ผมทําอะไรได้หลายอย่างสำหรับผู้หญิงที่น่าหลงใหลคนนี้ แต่การใช้เหตุผลไม่ใช่หนึ่งในนั้น"

"วิถีชีวิตแบบอิตาลีไม่ถือเป็นความสําเร็จ ยกเว้นในสายตาของนักท่องเที่ยวที่มาเยือนแบบชั่วครู่ชั่วยาม"

"ความรัก สงคราม และเงินคือเหตุผลสามประการที่คนย้ายประเทศ คุณย้ายด้วยเหตุผลที่ดีที่สุด"

[Gayle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written by an Australian living in Italy, this book made me so nostalgic and reminded me of the periods in my life living in Italy.

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book deserves a better title and cover design - it's packaged as light chic lit, but it's a well-written exploration of cultural differences between southern Italy and Australia.

[Gareth Huw Snaith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book reads like Italy feels... It is rich, sunny and full of exquisite detail. It will bring you to tears with it's summer tinted nostalgia and poignancy.

Anyone who has had any dealings with Italy or Italians who recognise in this book, an extended love letter to the contradictory country.

Grazie.

[Edie · Rating 3 out of 5]

An Australian man meets an Italian woman in Ireland and promptly falls in love. After attempting a long-distance relationship, she invites him to move to Italy and he says yes. Head Over Heel chronicles his first year of living in Italy as a resident and not just a tourist passing through. It is a memoir filled with interesting characters and plenty of cultural clashes.

[Caitlin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Honestly, I was a little disappointed. I found this book incredibly hard to finish because I was just not as engaged as I thought I would be. Although there were moments that I found funny and loved the descriptions of Italy and it’s people.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Actually, they have the title wrong--it is "Head over Heel: Seduced by Southern Italy". I read this book while in Italy this past summer; a wonderful, fun read. Loved it.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ahead of a trip to Puglia, Southern Italy, I picked up this book hoping for something akin to Watching the English by Kate Fox (an anthropology book on the English - very funny, and illuminating), but on Italian people.

Initially, I hated this book. I thought I wouldn't be able to stick it out. There were excessively long sentences that often didn't make sense. The author seems very taken with alliteration - to the point of eye rolling. Every description of literally any woman in the book tends to refer to her bum, breasts or physicality of some form (whether the author appreciated them or not).

However, by page 100 it won me over and ultimately gave me exactly what I was after - an anthropological study of every day Italian culture, if through the lens of one Australian man. I can't say I particularly like that man. But in the end, I enjoyed his book.

[Desiree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful book about an Australian who falls in love with an Italian girl from Puglia and moves to the heel of the Italian boot to follow his love
Well written with a lot of wit and humour, shedding a light on the Italian way of life, morals and sometimes unbelievable behaviour that as the owner of a second house in Italy I can only confirm.

But I was also impressed by the way he described and commented on difficult situations like Daniela's fathers illness, how illness can make you a patient instead of a human being and the heartbreaking feeling to see smart or even genius people reduced to childlike beings without any comprehension what goes on around them.

One of the best books about Italian life I have read in a long time, on a par with some of the works of Tim Parks.

[Aileen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very gentle travel read, the Australian author meets an Italian girl in a Dublin bar, and it’s love at first sight. Two years later he packs his life up into a bag and moves to Andrano, a small town in Puglia or the ‘heel of Italy’, where Daniela is a teacher. This book recounts his adjusting to life in southern Italy, getting all his paperwork in order and ending up with him marrying Daniela in the town castle. You can almost feel the sunshine on your skin as you read this story, and although the frustrations at the Italian way of doing things probably won’t make you want to pack up and follow suit, Chris’s journey will leave you with a warm feeling.

[Alisha M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love, love, loved this book. I have spent many years perplexed over quirky things the Italians do - their complaints about govt yet their disinterest in voting, the street signs that make no sense, the sheer hatred of the north from the south. This book explained so much and made me laugh so many times. At one point I think I cried from laughter. Thank you so much for such a great book. I read it on my kindle but ended up hunting down a paper copy so I can share it with friends. Although I do hope someone with no experience with the Italian culture will find it as funny

[Ingrida Ceple · Rating 3 out of 5]

Likās ļoti godīgi un izsmeļoši uzrakstīts par itāļiem, bez izsmiešanas vai paņirgāšanās par paradumiem, valodas īpatnībām un daudz, daudz citām lietām, daudz no tā bija dzirdēts un lasīts, Kris to tikai apstiprināja. Par alfabēta burtiem pat nezināju, tas bija atklājums.

Sākumā bija patiesi interesanti lasīt un izzināt, bet uz beigām saguru un pat nedaudz apnika visi pastāstiņi. Tas noteikti nemazina, drīzāk otrādi, manu karsto vēlmi apceļot papēdi pašai personīgi.
Grāmata patika, bet apjoms man likās par lielu un interese pazuda. Tādēļ vienu zvaigznīti noņēmu par izplūšanu....

[Gabrielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very well-rounded, intriguing read about Puglia. Harrison is a clever writer, and also did a superb job on highlighting the beauty, and not so beautiful sides of life in (Southern) Italy. I appreciated how he touched upon the challenges of being a foreigner and the feeling of displacement both in one's new country, and one's home country. He is a strong storyteller.

I'd love to read a follow-up on his life with Daniela some years later.

[Caryatid · Rating 2 out of 5]

Engaging writing but with copious anecdotes of his interaction with Daniela, his muse, it's strange in this digital age that there were no pictures of her or his surroundings. And, flipping to the end, it seems the author was getting soured on Italy and had moved to London. One would hope his relationship with Daniela survived his short term romance with Puglia, one isn't told.

[Late Night A.J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A seductive, atmospheric and touching read, Chris Harrison's autobiographical debut is a captivating take on the power of love and where it can lead you.

Packaged in the classic travelogue style it brims with rare insight into the Southern Italian experience, whilst managing an equal dose of humour and enchantment. Chris and Daniela's journey is one to share. Highly recommended.

[Saen MacVicar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having just returned from visiting Puglia, this was an immensely entertaining romp through this southern clime! Harrison writes in an anecdotal style with humor and detail, which anyone will enjoy even if they're not visiting Puglia. I loved his deft capture of the distinct culture and traditions of the small villages, which brought a smile to my face, more times than not.

[Greg Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Going to Andrano

I found this book whilst searching for a guide book for Puglia, and found it to be an enlightening and sometimes humorous insight into life in Italy. An enjoyable read

[Pam McKenna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Glass Half Empty

If you love Italy don't read this book. The author comes across as a selfish pessimist. He hates Puglia and Milan, does not embrace Italian traditions, and expects Italians to cater to his needs. He must have been a spoiled child growing up in Australia.

[Dean Kephart · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very enjoyable read and great preparation for our trip this coming fall (hopefully). He is very honest and expresses a wonderful sense of humor about adapting to the challenges and beauty of moving to this country.

[Julie Akeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, never going to drive in Italy that's for sure. Really fun and crazy book about an Australian guy who fell in love with a beautiful Italian woman while in Dublin. This really details the ins and outs of actually living in Italy which isn't always pretty, but the driving is scary.

[Danielle Sadler · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very accurate depiction of the culture and people of Italy. As a Sicilian myself I laughed often out of the truths and stories in the book. If you are Italian or Sicilian I recommend this book. I took off one star because for the first half I did not find it a crazy page tuner.

[Aiva Jakobsone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Latviešiem nenāktu par ļaunu savā dzīvē ieviest nedaudz itāļu paradumus. Ņemt mazliet visu vieglāk un tā neiespring dažādās dzīves situācijās. Vai es tā varētu dzīvot, drošu vien, ka nē. Tāpēc nedaudz aupslaužu itāļus.

[Algirdas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very funny and interesting story

Highly recommended, made me giggle and even shed a few tears. Amazing work. Good holiday or non holiday read. Makes you feel like you were there

[S.M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable and eye-opening book about what it is really like to live in Italy not just visit for a short time as a tourist. I'm not sure I'd be up to it after all, so there goes that dream!

[Ilze · Rating 4 out of 5]

Forši pastāstiņi par ķertajiem itāļiem un Itāliju. Kārtējo reizi pārliecinos, ka dzīvot Latvijā ir jauki.

[Geret · Rating 4 out of 5]

“kui sa ei saa sisse eesuksest, roni selle asemel aknast”

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written with a wonderful insight into the language and culture of Italy