MUST READ! The Most Important Italian Book In The Last Century!

[@michellew3932]

My grandfather left Basilicata region(Potenza) in 1913 prior but the stories my aunts would tell about the poverty was so unreal. My grandmother had to wait several years before she was allowed to follow, lots of hardships. I think of them all the time about how they sacrificed so our generation could have better here. I look forward to this book recommendation, thanks Chris!

[@SuperSavvyTravelersLLC]

Hi Michelle, Yes sometimes it is hard to realize that not very long ago, things were so dire. We have so many comforts now. Bless your grandma and aunts. They made it go right to change things.

[@carolc1543]

Thanks for book recommendation. My fathers side left Campagnia due to hunger, no work....Stories I was told were terribly heartbreaking. However, they would be thrilled to know I going to live in Italy.

[@SuperSavvyTravelersLLC]

HI Carol, Yes it was a very rough time but it is truly amazing to me how different it is now. I read that Aliano was almost completely destroyed by an earthquake in in the 1980's but has been rebuilt. It was amazing walking though the town and seeing what Levy saw every day only modernized.

[@elmoretingle]

Carlo Levi was also a terrific painter. His work is exhibited in an art museum in Matera. The movie based on the book was excellent as well. Please keep recommending books to read about Italy. I find it adds immeasurably to the experience of visiting an area. Of course I have an ulterior reason for writing this. I wrote an historical novel about a 16th century Jewish midwife in Venice, The Midwife of Venice.

[@SuperSavvyTravelersLLC]

Hi Roberta! Can we get this on Amazon? Also Pete and I are affiliates of teh Great Corses and we have studied so may. they also really enrich the experience. I will do some videos and promote some of my favs. So far I think the best one was the one on Verdi and his operas. Amazing content.

[@oceans31]

Ordered my copy today! It’s also a film but unfortunately for me at the moment no English subtitles. This is such an awesome channel Thank you Chris!

[@SuperSavvyTravelersLLC]

Fantastic Diana! I am so happy everyone loved this video. I will launch a special playlist with music and literature!!

[@BoBo-ti6jh]

I read it years ago. It was excellent.

[@SuperSavvyTravelersLLC]

Hi Juan, It is really amazing! I hope some day you can go see where he was exiled and follow his footsteps. It really is an amazing experience!

[@judypeeples5547]

Thanks, sounds fascinating. Will order today.

[@SuperSavvyTravelersLLC]

Great! I think you will find it interesting!

[@mcd5478]

SO Interesting!! Will definitely read the book!!

[@SuperSavvyTravelersLLC]

It is amazing how much has changed since then! I think you will find it fascinating!

[@bskasick]

I have this book...a great read.

[@SuperSavvyTravelersLLC]

Hi Brian, Yes This is a very important book.

[@janacabana1]

ABSOLUTELY LOVE reading books about or set in Italy, fiction or nonfiction. I’ve already read several “travelogues” about southern Italy, but would so appreciate an exhaustive list💖💝💗

[@SuperSavvyTravelersLLC]

Fantastic! I will put together a list of books that really give the flavor of Southern Italy!

[@susangutlove1979]

An absolute must read! Thank you!

[@SuperSavvyTravelersLLC]

Thank you Susan! Absolutely!

[@deansantucci9356]

Thanks so much for the recommendation .. ! Can’t wait to read it .. ; so true that these kinds of books can really make travel more meaningful ... ; The other gem in Basilicata is Maratea ... it’s Amalfi without the crowds :)

[@SuperSavvyTravelersLLC]

Hi Dean! Absolutely! Matera has a special magic. Levy's sister visited Matera. She did a lot to help the people there who were also starving. Until recently many lived in the caves with their animals and malaria was rampant. Now it is a totally different place!

[@janetlombardi2314]

It sounds great thanks for the recommendation Chris

[@SuperSavvyTravelersLLC]

You are so welcome Janet. Let me know what you think!

[@mrscuteas]

Thank you for the recommendation Chris I will be adding this book to my reading list.

[@SuperSavvyTravelersLLC]

Awesome! I am sure you will get a lot out of it!

[@rosaliegalasso791]

Great book!

[@SuperSavvyTravelersLLC]

I loved it! I think I need to read it again but skip the chapter on the Pig Doctor!

[@ntakovacj3644]

This is a very nice introduction -- I agree with you -- I've read it twice myself, once when I was young and then about twenty years later. One correction -- Levi was there in the thirties...

[@SuperSavvyTravelersLLC]

Oh thank you! Yes I loved the book and after seeing the places he spent so much time it was even more meaningful. Thank you for the correction as well.

[@gvisir]

for those who speak Italian I would also suggest something less serious, a film, Basilicata coast to coast, a light comedy on the road with fantastic locations, some good jokes here and there, and pleasant music

[@SuperSavvyTravelersLLC]

I will take a look and recommend it to our Italian Chat group on Saturday! thank you!

[@norikob9064]

Hi Chris, Thanks for your Recommendation about the Book. Will be really great if you can put a tour to explore that part of Italy. By the way You are Almost there!!! Best of Luck to you and Pete. Regards from Noriko

[@SuperSavvyTravelersLLC]

Thank you Noriko! I can't wait for you to be able to come over too!

[@franketter2916]

I read the book long ago and you are correct about the book recommendation but to understand the Italians in general one should also read The Italians, by Luigi Barzini. Not sure if it is any longer in print but used copies are out there. Sicily is its own world and there are many good books that deal with the life and culture of Sicily but for Italy in general Luigi Barzini's book The Italians is well worth the read.

[@SuperSavvyTravelersLLC]

Thank you Frank! Our viewers love reading recommendations! This is great!

[@georgeboatright6635]

I read that a few years ago but did not especially like it. My favorite Italian novel is The Leopard by Giuseppe di Lampedusa ( in English translation). Please keep recommending other books about southern Italy. Thank you.

[@SuperSavvyTravelersLLC]

Hi George, It is a stark look and sometimes hard to confront that kind of poverty and suffering. I am featuring another author soon on the channel. I just finished an article for our blog and you can find it here: www.supersavvytravelers.com/the-vampire-of-san-nicola-arcella/ This is the writer Francis Marion Crawford who is an amazingly vivid author and although he wrote creepy stuff, he also wrote novels that vividly described life in Italy in the 1800's. His is more fictional so it is easier to read about, at least I find it so. You can find his works on the Gutenberg Project website for free as it is in the public domain.

[@elmoretingle]

Yes, Chris, The Midwife of Venice is available on Amazon, Barnes &Noble and all the usual suspects including Kindle. It’s the story of a Jewish midwife who breaks the law to deliver a Christian baby. As far as I know it’s the only historical novel set in the Jewish ghetto in Venice. My third novel is also set in Venice and in a Palladio villa in Maser on the Brenta Canal. My poor midwife is pregnant and in prison. Her husband has deserted her. And then things get worse. Lots of background on 16th century Italy. Cheers, Roberta

[@SuperSavvyTravelersLLC]

Oh my gosh Roberta! I am going to go download them! I found the first. What is the name of the second?

[@SuperSavvyTravelersLLC]

I found the Harem Midwife! I will enjoy these!

[@anthonytraglio7685]

Under The Southern Sun by Paolo Paolicelli is also a must read

[@SuperSavvyTravelersLLC]

Oh thank you! I will down load it. I also found a charming little self published book by a guy who grew up in Southern Italy during the war. It is a happier book for sure because despite the hardships he remembers his good times. Here is a link: www.amazon.com/Growing-Fascism-Little-Southern-Italy/dp/1441570616/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=fascism+southern+italy&qid=1617309476&sr=8-2

[@mongrelrat]

I read it 4 times. Simply wonderful. Let me correct you. It's Levi not Levy.

[@SuperSavvyTravelersLLC]

Thank you. I am happy you read the book I read it twice. I think you have to read it more than once to really get it. Thanks for the correction.

[@gulamgigulam5752]

I must say today looking so so so beautyful

[@SuperSavvyTravelersLLC]

Thank you Jilani!

[@gulamgigulam5752]

U have command on all jobs mashallah

[@SuperSavvyTravelersLLC]

Thank you Jilani!

[@gulamgigulam5752]

Hi

[@SuperSavvyTravelersLLC]

Hello!