Literary Italy Wed, 04 Mar 2026 14:01:42 -0500 https://www.literaryitaly.com en-us © 2026 Anne Schuchman and James Berrettini yes Italy a1d22a80-468e-5fed-a564-88bec9c47498 Anne Schuchman and James Berrettini episodic false Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) Italy, books, literature, travel Anne Schuchman and James Berrettini https://storage.buzzsprout.com/skw8quf0cxebpqxfwm6rn2tgh4un?.jpg Literary Italy https://www.literaryitaly.com Ep. 63: Castiglione's Book of the Courtier / Urbino, Le Marche Ep. 63: Castiglione's Book of the Courtier / Urbino, Le Marche Baldassare Castiglione's Book of the Courtier raises questions such as "What are the qualities the perfect gentleman?", "What are the qualities of language that are suitable for writing?", and "What is the proper balance between artifice and sincerity?".

Wake up, Yana!

]]> Baldassare Castiglione's Book of the Courtier raises questions such as "What are the qualities the perfect gentleman?", "What are the qualities of language that are suitable for writing?", and "What is the proper balance between artifice and sincerity?".

Wake up, Yana!

]]> Anne Schuchman and James Berrettini Buzzsprout-13957165 Mon, 13 Nov 2023 00:00:00 -0500 2707 1 63 full false Ep. 62: Purgatorio, Canto I Ep. 62: Purgatorio, Canto I Anne Schuchman and James Berrettini Buzzsprout-13359846 Mon, 07 Aug 2023 00:00:00 -0400 2670 1 62 full false Ep. 61: Dante's Vita Nuova / Florence Ep. 61: Dante's Vita Nuova / Florence Can't get enough of your love, babe. Or of Dante. This episode we read Dante's New Life , a prelude to The Divine Comedy. Written in prosimetrum, a form that combines poetry and prose, we get to see a little more of Beatrice, and a lot more of young Dante in Florence.

]]> Can't get enough of your love, babe. Or of Dante. This episode we read Dante's New Life , a prelude to The Divine Comedy. Written in prosimetrum, a form that combines poetry and prose, we get to see a little more of Beatrice, and a lot more of young Dante in Florence.

]]> Anne Schuchman and James Berrettini Buzzsprout-13057898 Mon, 19 Jun 2023 00:00:00 -0400 2280 1 61 full false Ep. 60: Italo Calvino's "Italian Folktales" Ep. 60: Italo Calvino's "Italian Folktales" Italo Calvino was one of the best known Italian writers throughout the world in the late 20th century. In the 1950's he set about working with Italian folklorists to collect, shape, and assemble Italian fables or fairy tales. The result was Fiabe Italiane  (Italian Folktales), a compendium of stories from different parts of Italy. This week we dip our toe into the life and work of this fascinating man.

]]> Italo Calvino was one of the best known Italian writers throughout the world in the late 20th century. In the 1950's he set about working with Italian folklorists to collect, shape, and assemble Italian fables or fairy tales. The result was Fiabe Italiane  (Italian Folktales), a compendium of stories from different parts of Italy. This week we dip our toe into the life and work of this fascinating man.

]]> Anne Schuchman and James Berrettini Buzzsprout-12520629 Mon, 27 Mar 2023 00:00:00 -0400 1902 1 60 full false Ep. 59: Frances Mayes’ “Under the Tuscan Sun” / Cortona Ep. 59: Frances Mayes’ “Under the Tuscan Sun” / Cortona Liam Neeson or Leslie Nielsen? You decide.

Things to know about Cortona:

  • Ancient city - Etruscans - walls go back to 5th c. BC
  • Romans
  • Also long history as a tourist destination, even before Under the Tuscan Sun

What to see in Cortona

  • Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, built in 1456
  • MAEC - Museo dell’Accademia Etrusca e della Città di Cortona
  • Diocesan Museum — The Annunciation by Beato Angelico (From 1408 to 1418, Fra Angelico was at the Dominican friary of Cortona, where he painted frescoes, now mostly destroyed, in the Dominican Church and may have been assistant to Gherardo Starnina or a follower of his) and The Deposition by Luca Signorelli (c. 1441/1445 – 16 October 1523)
  • Archeological area - Etruscan tombs in Sodo and Camucia dating to 6th c BCE, uncovered in 20th c.
  • Girifalco castle —Medici fortress, 1556 - today hosts exhibitions and occasionally concerts
  • Via Romea Germanica passes through Cortona
  • Eremo Le Celle — first hermitage to be founded by San Francesco- 4 km from Cortona. The Monastery is perched on Monte Sant'Egidio and in the gorge dividing the two buildings runs a mountain stream - ‘Celle', which does not refer to the little buildings friars used to live in, but rather to some constructions built from the rock by shepherds and peasants. San Francesco arrived in Cortona around the year 1211 and met Guido Vagnotelli, a young man from a good-to-do  family who often welcomed Francesco in his home to pray. Guido decided to follow a religious vocation and offered the land where the Hermit would have been built later
  • Basilica of Santa Margherita in Cortona-14th-century church adorned in Baroque style - Margaret of Cortona (1247 – 22 February 1297) was an Italian penitent of the Third Order of Saint Francis. She was born in Laviano, near Perugia, and died in Cortona. She was canonized in 1728. Patron saint of the falsely accused, hoboes, homeless, insane, orphaned, mentally ill, midwives, penitents, single mothers, reformed prostitutes, stepchildren, and tramps. At the age of 17 she met a young (noble)man, and ran away with him, lived in the castle as his mistress, near Montepulciano and bore him a son. When her lover failed to return home from a journey/hunt one day, Margaret became concerned. The unaccompanied return of his favorite hound alarmed Margaret, and the hound led her into the forest to his murdered body. Returned all the gifts he had given her to his family and left. Her family refused her so she went to the Franciscan friars at Cortona, where her son eventually became a friar. She fbecame a penitent known for extreme fasting, joined the Third Order of Saint Francis and chose to live in poverty. Established a hospital in Cortona for the sick, homeless and impoverished. To secure nurses for the hospital, she instituted a congregation of Tertiary Sisters, known as "le poverelle" (Italian for "the little poor ones”). She also established an order devoted to Our Lady of Mercy and the members bound themselves to support the hospital and to help the needy. On several occasions, Margaret participated in public affairs. Twice, claiming divine command, she challenged the Bishop of Arezzo, Guglielmo Ubertini Pazzi, in whose diocese Cortona lay, because he lived and warred like a prince. She moved to the ruined church of Basil of Caesarea, now Santa Margherita, and spent her remaining years there; she died on 22 February 1297. Frequently depicted as a “new” Magdalene.
]]> Liam Neeson or Leslie Nielsen? You decide.

Things to know about Cortona:

  • Ancient city - Etruscans - walls go back to 5th c. BC
  • Romans
  • Also long history as a tourist destination, even before Under the Tuscan Sun

What to see in Cortona

  • Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, built in 1456
  • MAEC - Museo dell’Accademia Etrusca e della Città di Cortona
  • Diocesan Museum — The Annunciation by Beato Angelico (From 1408 to 1418, Fra Angelico was at the Dominican friary of Cortona, where he painted frescoes, now mostly destroyed, in the Dominican Church and may have been assistant to Gherardo Starnina or a follower of his) and The Deposition by Luca Signorelli (c. 1441/1445 – 16 October 1523)
  • Archeological area - Etruscan tombs in Sodo and Camucia dating to 6th c BCE, uncovered in 20th c.
  • Girifalco castle —Medici fortress, 1556 - today hosts exhibitions and occasionally concerts
  • Via Romea Germanica passes through Cortona
  • Eremo Le Celle — first hermitage to be founded by San Francesco- 4 km from Cortona. The Monastery is perched on Monte Sant'Egidio and in the gorge dividing the two buildings runs a mountain stream - ‘Celle', which does not refer to the little buildings friars used to live in, but rather to some constructions built from the rock by shepherds and peasants. San Francesco arrived in Cortona around the year 1211 and met Guido Vagnotelli, a young man from a good-to-do  family who often welcomed Francesco in his home to pray. Guido decided to follow a religious vocation and offered the land where the Hermit would have been built later
  • Basilica of Santa Margherita in Cortona-14th-century church adorned in Baroque style - Margaret of Cortona (1247 – 22 February 1297) was an Italian penitent of the Third Order of Saint Francis. She was born in Laviano, near Perugia, and died in Cortona. She was canonized in 1728. Patron saint of the falsely accused, hoboes, homeless, insane, orphaned, mentally ill, midwives, penitents, single mothers, reformed prostitutes, stepchildren, and tramps. At the age of 17 she met a young (noble)man, and ran away with him, lived in the castle as his mistress, near Montepulciano and bore him a son. When her lover failed to return home from a journey/hunt one day, Margaret became concerned. The unaccompanied return of his favorite hound alarmed Margaret, and the hound led her into the forest to his murdered body. Returned all the gifts he had given her to his family and left. Her family refused her so she went to the Franciscan friars at Cortona, where her son eventually became a friar. She fbecame a penitent known for extreme fasting, joined the Third Order of Saint Francis and chose to live in poverty. Established a hospital in Cortona for the sick, homeless and impoverished. To secure nurses for the hospital, she instituted a congregation of Tertiary Sisters, known as "le poverelle" (Italian for "the little poor ones”). She also established an order devoted to Our Lady of Mercy and the members bound themselves to support the hospital and to help the needy. On several occasions, Margaret participated in public affairs. Twice, claiming divine command, she challenged the Bishop of Arezzo, Guglielmo Ubertini Pazzi, in whose diocese Cortona lay, because he lived and warred like a prince. She moved to the ruined church of Basil of Caesarea, now Santa Margherita, and spent her remaining years there; she died on 22 February 1297. Frequently depicted as a “new” Magdalene.
]]> Anne Schuchman and James Berrettini Buzzsprout-12388969 Tue, 07 Mar 2023 00:00:00 -0500 3046 1 59 full false Ep. 58: Veronica Gàmbara / Brescia Ep. 58: Veronica Gàmbara / Brescia Another episode in Lombardy, this time featuring poet, politico, and salon host Veronica Gàmbara.

]]> Another episode in Lombardy, this time featuring poet, politico, and salon host Veronica Gàmbara.

]]> Anne Schuchman and James Berrettini Buzzsprout-12332664 Mon, 27 Feb 2023 00:00:00 -0500 2558 1 58 full false Ep. 57: Cesare Beccaria / Milan Ep. 57: Cesare Beccaria / Milan Cesare Beccaria, author of On Crimes and Punishments (Dei delitti e delle pene) political philosopher, forgotten philosophe, 18th century influencer extraordinaire, arguably had more citations by the first American presidents than John Locke had. We talk about his life and his native city of Milan. (Also -- James Madison's height: 5ft 4in. ) Enjoy!

]]> Cesare Beccaria, author of On Crimes and Punishments (Dei delitti e delle pene) political philosopher, forgotten philosophe, 18th century influencer extraordinaire, arguably had more citations by the first American presidents than John Locke had. We talk about his life and his native city of Milan. (Also -- James Madison's height: 5ft 4in. ) Enjoy!

]]> Anne Schuchman and James Berrettini Buzzsprout-12285460 Mon, 20 Feb 2023 00:00:00 -0500 2840 1 57 full false Ep. 56: Leonardo notebooks - Milan and Florence Ep. 56: Leonardo notebooks - Milan and Florence Coming from their recent travels in Lombardy, Anne and Jim chat about Leonardo da Vinci's notebooks. Why do we keep a notebook -- for ourselves? Our contemporaries? Posterity? Leonardo (who was often commissioned by the Sforza's, the ruling family of Milan) is arguably the most famous polymath of all time, painting, writing, designing inventions, even working as an arms contractor! We also talk about Milan, a lively and exciting modern city, as well as Leonardo's birthplace in Tuscany.



]]> Coming from their recent travels in Lombardy, Anne and Jim chat about Leonardo da Vinci's notebooks. Why do we keep a notebook -- for ourselves? Our contemporaries? Posterity? Leonardo (who was often commissioned by the Sforza's, the ruling family of Milan) is arguably the most famous polymath of all time, painting, writing, designing inventions, even working as an arms contractor! We also talk about Milan, a lively and exciting modern city, as well as Leonardo's birthplace in Tuscany.



]]> Anne Schuchman and James Berrettini Buzzsprout-12189520 Mon, 06 Feb 2023 00:00:00 -0500 2683 1 56 full false Ep. 55: Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa's The Leopard, Palermo, Sicily Ep. 55: Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa's The Leopard, Palermo, Sicily We read The Leopard, a novel of the Risorgimento, a tragic-comic story of romance, war, and a stuffed dog.

]]> We read The Leopard, a novel of the Risorgimento, a tragic-comic story of romance, war, and a stuffed dog.

]]> Anne Schuchman and James Berrettini Buzzsprout-12097750 Mon, 23 Jan 2023 00:00:00 -0500 1782 1 55 full false Ep. 54: Vincent Schiavelli's "Many Beautiful Things" / Polizzi Generosa, Sicily Ep. 54: Vincent Schiavelli's "Many Beautiful Things" / Polizzi Generosa, Sicily Vincent Schiavelli, character actor, chef, and author is the our subject! We look at his book Many Beautiful Things, his wonderfully idiosyncratic memoir/cookbook/fable anthology. Anne and Jim are still scheming to get to Sicily. Maybe we're closer to pulling the trigger. Who knows? In the meantime, we hope you enjoy this feast.

]]> Vincent Schiavelli, character actor, chef, and author is the our subject! We look at his book Many Beautiful Things, his wonderfully idiosyncratic memoir/cookbook/fable anthology. Anne and Jim are still scheming to get to Sicily. Maybe we're closer to pulling the trigger. Who knows? In the meantime, we hope you enjoy this feast.

]]> Anne Schuchman and James Berrettini Buzzsprout-11425925 Mon, 03 Oct 2022 00:00:00 -0400 2323 1 54 full false Ep. 53: Dino Buzzati / The Dolomites Ep. 53: Dino Buzzati / The Dolomites You got horror in my magical realism. You got magical realism in my horror. -- It's delicious! This week, we talk Dino Buzzati (whom Jim distressingly insists on referring to as "Dee Butts") and his short story "The Bewitched Jacket." Then, we longingly look to the northeast and contemplate the beautiful Dolomite sub-range of the Alps. Plus random musings. Enjoy!

]]> You got horror in my magical realism. You got magical realism in my horror. -- It's delicious! This week, we talk Dino Buzzati (whom Jim distressingly insists on referring to as "Dee Butts") and his short story "The Bewitched Jacket." Then, we longingly look to the northeast and contemplate the beautiful Dolomite sub-range of the Alps. Plus random musings. Enjoy!

]]> Anne Schuchman and James Berrettini Buzzsprout-11306228 Mon, 12 Sep 2022 16:00:00 -0400 2161 1 53 full false Ep.52: Anthony Doerr - Four Seasons in Rome Ep.52: Anthony Doerr - Four Seasons in Rome Anne Schuchman and James Berrettini Buzzsprout-11084676 Mon, 08 Aug 2022 00:00:00 -0400 2014 1 52 full false Ep. 51: Elena Ferrante - The Lost Daughter Ep. 51: Elena Ferrante - The Lost Daughter This week, we read Elena Ferrante’s novella The Lost Daughter, set on the Ionian coast. We also watch Maggie Gyllenhaal’s film adaptation. Join us!

]]> This week, we read Elena Ferrante’s novella The Lost Daughter, set on the Ionian coast. We also watch Maggie Gyllenhaal’s film adaptation. Join us!

]]> Anne Schuchman and James Berrettini Buzzsprout-11008640 Mon, 01 Aug 2022 00:00:00 -0400 1962 1 51 full false Ep. 50: Tozzi and Siena, Tuscany Ep. 50: Tozzi and Siena, Tuscany The Dynamic Duo are back, this time with a feature on novelist Federigo Tozzi. We read his short story "A Bender"

]]> The Dynamic Duo are back, this time with a feature on novelist Federigo Tozzi. We read his short story "A Bender"

]]> Anne Schuchman and James Berrettini Buzzsprout-11008636 Mon, 25 Jul 2022 00:00:00 -0400 1659 1 50 full false Ep. 49: Abandon all hope, ye who listen to this podcast Ep. 49: Abandon all hope, ye who listen to this podcast This week: Canto III of Dante's Divine Comedy!

]]> This week: Canto III of Dante's Divine Comedy!

]]> Anne Schuchman and James Berrettini Buzzsprout-10781266 Mon, 13 Jun 2022 00:00:00 -0400 2980 1 49 full false Ep. 48: Daphne Phelps' "A House In Sicily" Ep. 48: Daphne Phelps' "A House In Sicily" This week we talk about A House in Sicily, a 1999 memoir by Daphne Phelps. Phelps was the owner of Casa Cuseni, a hotel for artists and writers that opened in 1947. It takes guests to this day while also serving as a museum in Taormina.

]]> This week we talk about A House in Sicily, a 1999 memoir by Daphne Phelps. Phelps was the owner of Casa Cuseni, a hotel for artists and writers that opened in 1947. It takes guests to this day while also serving as a museum in Taormina.

]]> Anne Schuchman and James Berrettini Buzzsprout-10708773 Tue, 31 May 2022 00:00:00 -0400 1918 1 48 full false Ep. 47: Michelangelo Ep. 47: Michelangelo We all know Michelangelo as a giant of sculpture and painting, but, a true "Renaissance Man," he also wrote hundreds of poems. Anne and Jim dip into the life of this fascinating figure.
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation show on Michelangelo's poetry

]]> We all know Michelangelo as a giant of sculpture and painting, but, a true "Renaissance Man," he also wrote hundreds of poems. Anne and Jim dip into the life of this fascinating figure.
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation show on Michelangelo's poetry

]]> Buzzsprout-10662829 Mon, 23 May 2022 00:00:00 -0400 2232 1 47 full false Ep. 46: Interview with Wendy Holloway of Flavor of Italy Ep. 46: Interview with Wendy Holloway of Flavor of Italy Our guest this week is Wendy Holloway, host of  Flavor of Italy, a weekly podcast focused  Italian food, culture, and travel. Wendy shares with us springtime foods and traditions of Rome and beyond. What could be better than a picnic of fava beans and pecorino cheese? Be sure to check out Wendy's website for stories, travel tips, and some pretty amazing recipes!

]]> Our guest this week is Wendy Holloway, host of  Flavor of Italy, a weekly podcast focused  Italian food, culture, and travel. Wendy shares with us springtime foods and traditions of Rome and beyond. What could be better than a picnic of fava beans and pecorino cheese? Be sure to check out Wendy's website for stories, travel tips, and some pretty amazing recipes!

]]> Anne Schuchman and James Berrettini Buzzsprout-10538899 Mon, 02 May 2022 00:00:00 -0400 2538 1 46 full false Ep. 45: E. M. Forster's A Room with a View Ep. 45: E. M. Forster's A Room with a View Anne and Jim are back in Tuscany for E. M. Forster's A Room with a View, which helped them love Italy and Florence before they had ever set eyes on it.

]]> Anne and Jim are back in Tuscany for E. M. Forster's A Room with a View, which helped them love Italy and Florence before they had ever set eyes on it.

]]> Anne Schuchman and James Berrettini Buzzsprout-10372421 Mon, 04 Apr 2022 00:00:00 -0400 2232 1 45 full false Ep.44: Goldoni's Servant of Two Masters Ep.44: Goldoni's Servant of Two Masters Our guest today is Jay Malarcher. Jay is Associate Professor and Program Director of Theater History and Criticism at West Virginia University. Also, he first introduced Anne and me to each other, many years ago at St. John’s College. He’s a dramaturge, director, actor, and a great friend of the show. Anne and I reflected on a performance we saw a few years ago of Carlo Goldini’s Servant of Two Masters, and we knew Jay would be the perfect person to talk about this play, as well as commedia dell’arte more broadly. He’s graciously agreed to an interview. Hope you enjoy it!

]]> Our guest today is Jay Malarcher. Jay is Associate Professor and Program Director of Theater History and Criticism at West Virginia University. Also, he first introduced Anne and me to each other, many years ago at St. John’s College. He’s a dramaturge, director, actor, and a great friend of the show. Anne and I reflected on a performance we saw a few years ago of Carlo Goldini’s Servant of Two Masters, and we knew Jay would be the perfect person to talk about this play, as well as commedia dell’arte more broadly. He’s graciously agreed to an interview. Hope you enjoy it!

]]> Anne Schuchman and James Berrettini Buzzsprout-10328697 Mon, 28 Mar 2022 00:00:00 -0400 2720 1 44 full false Ep. 43: Dacia Maraini / Bagheria, Sicily Ep. 43: Dacia Maraini / Bagheria, Sicily We're back with an episode on Dacia Maraini, one of the most fascinating and prolific Italian writers today. We talk about her memoir, Bagheria, named for the town of the same name just outside Palermo on the northern coast of Sicily.

]]> We're back with an episode on Dacia Maraini, one of the most fascinating and prolific Italian writers today. We talk about her memoir, Bagheria, named for the town of the same name just outside Palermo on the northern coast of Sicily.

]]> Anne Schuchman and James Berrettini Buzzsprout-10247850 Mon, 14 Mar 2022 13:00:00 -0400 2154 1 43 full false Ep. 42: Minucius Felix / Ostia Antica Ep. 42: Minucius Felix / Ostia Antica Our guest today, Mike Aquilina, has been a friend of ours for years. A prolific writer and authority on Patristics (the writings of the Church Fathers). He’s also a lyricist with rock and roll icon Dion. Mike is the host of the Way of the Fathers podcast, and when we heard his episode on Marcus Minucius Felix and his dialogue Octavius, set in Ostia Antica just outside Rome, we thought, that ought to be an episode of Literary Italy. And now it is.

]]> Our guest today, Mike Aquilina, has been a friend of ours for years. A prolific writer and authority on Patristics (the writings of the Church Fathers). He’s also a lyricist with rock and roll icon Dion. Mike is the host of the Way of the Fathers podcast, and when we heard his episode on Marcus Minucius Felix and his dialogue Octavius, set in Ostia Antica just outside Rome, we thought, that ought to be an episode of Literary Italy. And now it is.

]]> Anne Schuchman and James Berrettini Buzzsprout-10068895 Mon, 14 Feb 2022 00:00:00 -0500 1393 1 42 full false Ep. 41: Verga / Catania Ep. 41: Verga / Catania The short story "Cavalleria Rusticana" (translation online). Later, a tour of Catania, Giovanni Verga's birthplace.

]]> The short story "Cavalleria Rusticana" (translation online). Later, a tour of Catania, Giovanni Verga's birthplace.

]]> Anne Schuchman and James Berrettini Buzzsprout-10023788 Mon, 07 Feb 2022 00:00:00 -0500 2132 1 41 full false Ep. 40: The Sicilian School, Frederick II of Sicily, and Giacomo da Lentini Ep. 40: The Sicilian School, Frederick II of Sicily, and Giacomo da Lentini In this episode, we talk about the importance of the Sicilian School, and read from the sonnets of Giacomo (Jacopo) da Lentini (alas, only in Tuscan and English -- the original Sicilian is lost to us). We also touch on the life of Frederick II of Sicily. Enjoy! 

]]> In this episode, we talk about the importance of the Sicilian School, and read from the sonnets of Giacomo (Jacopo) da Lentini (alas, only in Tuscan and English -- the original Sicilian is lost to us). We also touch on the life of Frederick II of Sicily. Enjoy! 

]]> Anne Schuchman and James Berrettini Buzzsprout-9981987 Mon, 31 Jan 2022 00:00:00 -0500 2260 1 40 full false Ep. 39: Pirandello / Agrigento Ep. 39: Pirandello / Agrigento We get META all over the place. Luigi Pirandello's play Six Characters in Search of an Author is one of the most famous and most influential dramatic works of the 20th century. We talk about Pirandello, his hometown of Agrigento in Sicily, and, of course, those Six Characters...

]]> We get META all over the place. Luigi Pirandello's play Six Characters in Search of an Author is one of the most famous and most influential dramatic works of the 20th century. We talk about Pirandello, his hometown of Agrigento in Sicily, and, of course, those Six Characters...

]]> Anne Schuchman and James Berrettini Buzzsprout-9946326 Tue, 25 Jan 2022 00:00:00 -0500 2200 1 39 full false Ep. 38: Ungaretti / Lucca, Tuscany and Sagrado, Friuli-Venezia Giulia Ep. 38: Ungaretti / Lucca, Tuscany and Sagrado, Friuli-Venezia Giulia In this episode we discuss poet Giuseppe Ungaretti's early collection, Allegria, recently translated into English by Geoffrey Brock. A poet of few words, but so much feeling. We also talk about Lucca in Tuscany, where Ungaretti's family was from, and Sagrado in Friuli-Venezia Giulia, in northeast Italy, where Ungaretti fought in World War I, and wrote many of these amazing poems.

]]> In this episode we discuss poet Giuseppe Ungaretti's early collection, Allegria, recently translated into English by Geoffrey Brock. A poet of few words, but so much feeling. We also talk about Lucca in Tuscany, where Ungaretti's family was from, and Sagrado in Friuli-Venezia Giulia, in northeast Italy, where Ungaretti fought in World War I, and wrote many of these amazing poems.

]]> Anne Schuchman and James Berrettini Buzzsprout-9904310 Tue, 18 Jan 2022 00:00:00 -0500 2004 1 38 full false Ep. 37: I Promessi Sposi / Lake Como Ep. 37: I Promessi Sposi / Lake Como Anne Schuchman and James Berrettini Buzzsprout-9815723 Mon, 10 Jan 2022 00:00:00 -0500 2380 1 37 full false Ep. 36: La Befana - Pascoli Ep. 36: La Befana - Pascoli Buona Befana! We celebrate New Year's and Epiphany with the a poem by Giovanni Pascoli.

]]> Buona Befana! We celebrate New Year's and Epiphany with the a poem by Giovanni Pascoli.

]]> Anne Schuchman and James Berrettini Buzzsprout-9804689 Mon, 03 Jan 2022 00:00:00 -0500 1903 1 36 full false Ep. 35: Piazza Navona at Christmas - Belli Ep. 35: Piazza Navona at Christmas - Belli Christmas markets in Italy! We talk about the Piazza Navona market in Rome, and the poet Giuseppe Gioacchino ("GG" to his friends) Belli, author of over 2,000 sonnets about priests, prostitutes, paupers, princes...and Piazza Navona!

]]> Christmas markets in Italy! We talk about the Piazza Navona market in Rome, and the poet Giuseppe Gioacchino ("GG" to his friends) Belli, author of over 2,000 sonnets about priests, prostitutes, paupers, princes...and Piazza Navona!

]]> Anne Schuchman and James Berrettini Buzzsprout-9782784 Fri, 24 Dec 2021 00:00:00 -0500 1633 1 35 full false Ep.34: Interview with Elizabeth Namack of My Italian Treasures Ep.34: Interview with Elizabeth Namack of My Italian Treasures This week we interview Elizabeth Namack and discuss her unique approach to Italian travel planning. Liz shares her perspective on trends in Italian travel as she tells the story of her personal journal from the United States to her life in Florence.  Visit My Italian Treasures to learn more about her services and her attitudes toward travel!

]]> This week we interview Elizabeth Namack and discuss her unique approach to Italian travel planning. Liz shares her perspective on trends in Italian travel as she tells the story of her personal journal from the United States to her life in Florence.  Visit My Italian Treasures to learn more about her services and her attitudes toward travel!

]]> Anne Schuchman and James Berrettini Buzzsprout-9709152 Mon, 13 Dec 2021 00:00:00 -0500 2671 1 34 full false Ep.33: Mathilde Serao's "To the Tenth Muse" / Neapolitan Christmas Ep.33: Mathilde Serao's "To the Tenth Muse" / Neapolitan Christmas Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat, and we are getting dizzy from the evocation of the street scenes of Naples, with butcher shops dangling carcasses, the perfumed scents of flowers, herbs, vegetables, cod and eels! We read Mathilde Serao's "To the Tenth Muse." And Jim has a vivid hallucination of a mechanical monkey banging a cymbal. Please get us some help.

]]> Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat, and we are getting dizzy from the evocation of the street scenes of Naples, with butcher shops dangling carcasses, the perfumed scents of flowers, herbs, vegetables, cod and eels! We read Mathilde Serao's "To the Tenth Muse." And Jim has a vivid hallucination of a mechanical monkey banging a cymbal. Please get us some help.

]]> Anne Schuchman and James Berrettini Buzzsprout-9669215 Mon, 06 Dec 2021 00:00:00 -0500 2376 1 33 full false Ep. 32: Pliny the Younger - Pompeii Ep. 32: Pliny the Younger - Pompeii Anne and Jim travel south geographically and backwards in time to the eruption of Vesuvius and the destruction of Pompeii and Herculaneum, witnessed by Pliny the Younger.

Cynthia Damon's translation of Pliny's letters on Pompeii
Map of Vesuvius, Misenum, Herculaneum, and Pompeii
Pliny's letters from Volcanoes of Europe by Scarth and Tanguy

]]> Anne and Jim travel south geographically and backwards in time to the eruption of Vesuvius and the destruction of Pompeii and Herculaneum, witnessed by Pliny the Younger.

Cynthia Damon's translation of Pliny's letters on Pompeii
Map of Vesuvius, Misenum, Herculaneum, and Pompeii
Pliny's letters from Volcanoes of Europe by Scarth and Tanguy

]]> Anne Schuchman and James Berrettini Buzzsprout-9628846 Mon, 29 Nov 2021 07:00:00 -0500 2117 1 32 full false Ep. 31: Dante, Inferno Canto 2, and Florence Ep. 31: Dante, Inferno Canto 2, and Florence In this episode we return to Dante and to Florence with Canto 2 of the Inferno! Dante is sort of like the middle of the Bingo card of Italian literature--plus this year marks the 700th anniversary of his death (Jim asks Anne during the podcast what the precise date is, and she fluffs and fumbles, but the answer is September 1321). In addition, we talk about some of our favorite slightly-off-the-beaten-path places to visit in Florence. Enjoy!

]]> In this episode we return to Dante and to Florence with Canto 2 of the Inferno! Dante is sort of like the middle of the Bingo card of Italian literature--plus this year marks the 700th anniversary of his death (Jim asks Anne during the podcast what the precise date is, and she fluffs and fumbles, but the answer is September 1321). In addition, we talk about some of our favorite slightly-off-the-beaten-path places to visit in Florence. Enjoy!

]]> Anne Schuchman and James Berrettini Buzzsprout-9584362 Mon, 22 Nov 2021 00:00:00 -0500 2531 1 31 full false Ep. 30: Ortese / Naples, Rapallo Ep. 30: Ortese / Naples, Rapallo Join us for Anna Maria Ortese's "A Pair of Eyeglasses" in Neapolitan Chronicles (Italian: Il mare non bagna Napoli ). Published in English for the first time in decades in 2018, Ortese gives us a gritty glimpse of postwar Naples in a slice-of-life tale about . . . optometry. Ortese retired to Rapallo in Liguria and died there in 1998.


]]> Join us for Anna Maria Ortese's "A Pair of Eyeglasses" in Neapolitan Chronicles (Italian: Il mare non bagna Napoli ). Published in English for the first time in decades in 2018, Ortese gives us a gritty glimpse of postwar Naples in a slice-of-life tale about . . . optometry. Ortese retired to Rapallo in Liguria and died there in 1998.


]]> Anne Schuchman and James Berrettini Buzzsprout-9548860 Mon, 15 Nov 2021 00:00:00 -0500 2044 1 30 full false Ep. 29: Spooky Italy Ep. 29: Spooky Italy Anne and Jim note their disappointing lack of Scooby Doo-like adventures in Umbria. Then they talk about 6 (5 1/2?) scary places in Italy!

  1. Poveglia
  2. Lucca and the legend of Lucida Mansi
  3. Benevento, the City of the Witches
  4. Capannori and the Oak of the Witches
  5. Triora, the Salem of Italy
  6. Werewolves of Puglia


]]> Anne and Jim note their disappointing lack of Scooby Doo-like adventures in Umbria. Then they talk about 6 (5 1/2?) scary places in Italy!

  1. Poveglia
  2. Lucca and the legend of Lucida Mansi
  3. Benevento, the City of the Witches
  4. Capannori and the Oak of the Witches
  5. Triora, the Salem of Italy
  6. Werewolves of Puglia


]]> Anne Schuchman and James Berrettini Buzzsprout-9467048 Mon, 08 Nov 2021 00:00:00 -0500 1121 1 29 full false Ep. 28: Capuana, "Un Vampiro" Ep. 28: Capuana, "Un Vampiro" Erin O'Rourke's translation as read by her. 
In this episode we talk about Halloween traditions in Italy (especially Sicily and Sardinia) and the ghost/vampire story by Sicilian writer Luigi Capuana.

]]> Erin O'Rourke's translation as read by her. 
In this episode we talk about Halloween traditions in Italy (especially Sicily and Sardinia) and the ghost/vampire story by Sicilian writer Luigi Capuana.

]]> Anne Schuchman and James Berrettini Buzzsprout-9466829 Mon, 01 Nov 2021 00:00:00 -0400 1919 1 28 full false Ep. 27: Return to the Via Francigena Ep. 27: Return to the Via Francigena Jim's back from his walk on the Via Francigena from Siena to ROME! And a mere hours after his plane touches down on American soil, Anne interviews our jetlagged traveler to find out more about the experience, the towns he visited, the people he met, and (of course) the food he ate. And maybe it's true that, "No matter where you go, there you are." How would you like spend a two-week sabbatical walking two hundred miles in Italy? 

]]> Jim's back from his walk on the Via Francigena from Siena to ROME! And a mere hours after his plane touches down on American soil, Anne interviews our jetlagged traveler to find out more about the experience, the towns he visited, the people he met, and (of course) the food he ate. And maybe it's true that, "No matter where you go, there you are." How would you like spend a two-week sabbatical walking two hundred miles in Italy? 

]]> Anne Schuchman and James Berrettini Buzzsprout-9425669 Mon, 25 Oct 2021 00:00:00 -0400 2955 1 27 full false Ep. 26: Elena Ferrante's "Story of a New Name" / Amalfi, Ischia, Pisa Ep. 26: Elena Ferrante's "Story of a New Name" / Amalfi, Ischia, Pisa A little bit of everything as we chat some more about Elena Ferrante, the Amalfi Coast, the island of Ischia, even Pisa! And Jim (nervously) talks about his plans to spend two weeks walking from Siena to Rome! That's three regions in one episode--a record! (Campania, Tuscany, and Lazio)

]]> A little bit of everything as we chat some more about Elena Ferrante, the Amalfi Coast, the island of Ischia, even Pisa! And Jim (nervously) talks about his plans to spend two weeks walking from Siena to Rome! That's three regions in one episode--a record! (Campania, Tuscany, and Lazio)

]]> Anne Schuchman and James Berrettini Buzzsprout-9331785 Mon, 18 Oct 2021 00:00:00 -0400 1758 1 26 full false Ep. 25: Pellegrino Artusi / Art of Eating Well Ep. 25: Pellegrino Artusi / Art of Eating Well With his cookbook "Science in the Kitchen and the Art of Eating Well," Pellegrino Artusi revolutionized the idea of Italian home cooking, and 130 years later the book is *still* a bestseller in Italy. But in addition to offering delicious recipes, the book is just a fun read, as Artusi offers anecdotes about cooking, eating, and life in general! Buon appetito!!!

]]> With his cookbook "Science in the Kitchen and the Art of Eating Well," Pellegrino Artusi revolutionized the idea of Italian home cooking, and 130 years later the book is *still* a bestseller in Italy. But in addition to offering delicious recipes, the book is just a fun read, as Artusi offers anecdotes about cooking, eating, and life in general! Buon appetito!!!

]]> Anne Schuchman and James Berrettini Buzzsprout-9277650 Mon, 11 Oct 2021 00:00:00 -0400 2183 1 25 full false Ep. 24: Pavese / Piedmont Ep. 24: Pavese / Piedmont In this episode we’re talking about Cesare Pavese and the Piedmont region. Poetry and prose, city and country, wine and chocolate, love and loss: it’s all here!

]]> In this episode we’re talking about Cesare Pavese and the Piedmont region. Poetry and prose, city and country, wine and chocolate, love and loss: it’s all here!

]]> Anne Schuchman and James Berrettini Buzzsprout-9277632 Mon, 04 Oct 2021 00:00:00 -0400 2080 1 24 full false Ep. 23: Morante / Procida Ep. 23: Morante / Procida I guess we can't get enough of islands! This time it's the island of Procida, just off the coast of Naples. Tucked between the more famous islands of Capri and Ischia, Procida quietly offers small fishing villages, stunning beaches and amazing seafood. Procida also plays a starring role in Elsa Morante's novel, Arturo's Island, and is set to hit the big time as Italy's Capital of Culture for 2022. 

]]> I guess we can't get enough of islands! This time it's the island of Procida, just off the coast of Naples. Tucked between the more famous islands of Capri and Ischia, Procida quietly offers small fishing villages, stunning beaches and amazing seafood. Procida also plays a starring role in Elsa Morante's novel, Arturo's Island, and is set to hit the big time as Italy's Capital of Culture for 2022. 

]]> Anne Schuchman and James Berrettini Buzzsprout-9223379 Mon, 27 Sep 2021 00:00:00 -0400 1688 1 23 full false Ep. 22: Camilleri's "Inspector Montalbano" series / Sicily Ep. 22: Camilleri's "Inspector Montalbano" series / Sicily Today we're off to the beautiful isle of Sicily, for sea, sun . . . and murder. Andrea Camilleri's Inspector Montalbano series of novels, and the entertaining RAI/BBC series that was made from them.

]]> Today we're off to the beautiful isle of Sicily, for sea, sun . . . and murder. Andrea Camilleri's Inspector Montalbano series of novels, and the entertaining RAI/BBC series that was made from them.

]]> Anne Schuchman and James Berrettini Buzzsprout-9223006 Mon, 20 Sep 2021 00:00:00 -0400 1900 1 22 full false Ep. 21: Collodi's Adventures of Pinocchio / Tuscany Ep. 21: Collodi's Adventures of Pinocchio / Tuscany This week we're hoping to become a real boy! That's right, it's The Adventure of Pinocchio. The fourth most translated book in the world, it's a work for children and adults the world over. Anne and Jim go back to Tuscany with this episode, the birth place of Pinocchio's author Carlo Collodi.

]]> This week we're hoping to become a real boy! That's right, it's The Adventure of Pinocchio. The fourth most translated book in the world, it's a work for children and adults the world over. Anne and Jim go back to Tuscany with this episode, the birth place of Pinocchio's author Carlo Collodi.

]]> Anne Schuchman and James Berrettini Buzzsprout-9145466 Mon, 06 Sep 2021 00:00:00 -0400 2132 full false Ep. 20: Machiavelli / Tuscany Ep. 20: Machiavelli / Tuscany Machiavelli: It's complicated. Today's readings: 


]]> Machiavelli: It's complicated. Today's readings: 


]]> Anne Schuchman and James Berrettini Buzzsprout-9106567 Mon, 30 Aug 2021 06:00:00 -0400 2899 1 20 full false Ep. 19: Grazia Deledda / Sardinia Ep. 19: Grazia Deledda / Sardinia You say, "Sardinia," but I say, "Sardegna" . . . Today, we read Grazia Deledda's Il Paese del Vento (Land of the Wind). Sadly, we haven't located an English translation, but Anne is working on that now! We also eye the island of Sardinia covetously and ask, "When can we get there?"

]]> You say, "Sardinia," but I say, "Sardegna" . . . Today, we read Grazia Deledda's Il Paese del Vento (Land of the Wind). Sadly, we haven't located an English translation, but Anne is working on that now! We also eye the island of Sardinia covetously and ask, "When can we get there?"

]]> Anne Schuchman and James Berrettini Buzzsprout-9069698 Mon, 23 Aug 2021 00:00:00 -0400 2657 1 19 full false Ep. 18: Intervallo Ep. 18: Intervallo Cari Ascoltatori!

We’re taking a week of for a much needed vacation; we’ll be back with a story from the Bel Paese next week.

Thank all of you for listening, and for sharing ideas for upcoming shows!   Here’s how to reach us:

Email: mail@literaryitaly.com
Facebook: LiteraryItaly
Twitter:  @LiteraryItaly,
Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/literaryitalypodcast/

Let us know how things are going: should we do more old classics, more contemporary works, more poetry, more fiction, more culture and music, more travel information? Should we talk more about cooking? Let us know what you’d like to hear more of (or less of!), so please, make your voice heard, we’d love to hear from you.

Alla prossima!

]]> Cari Ascoltatori!

We’re taking a week of for a much needed vacation; we’ll be back with a story from the Bel Paese next week.

Thank all of you for listening, and for sharing ideas for upcoming shows!   Here’s how to reach us:

Email: mail@literaryitaly.com
Facebook: LiteraryItaly
Twitter:  @LiteraryItaly,
Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/literaryitalypodcast/

Let us know how things are going: should we do more old classics, more contemporary works, more poetry, more fiction, more culture and music, more travel information? Should we talk more about cooking? Let us know what you’d like to hear more of (or less of!), so please, make your voice heard, we’d love to hear from you.

Alla prossima!

]]> Anne Schuchman and James Berrettini Buzzsprout-9032300 Mon, 16 Aug 2021 00:00:00 -0400 159 1 18 full false Ep. 17: Nel Blu Dipinto di Blu / Puglia (Polignano a Mare) Ep. 17: Nel Blu Dipinto di Blu / Puglia (Polignano a Mare) With a song in our hearts, the wind sweeping through the window, and our hands and faces inexplicably painted blue, this week Anne and Jim swing along with Domenico Modugno's international hit record, "Nel blu dipinto di blu" (also known as "Volare!"). Often covered (see this Spotify playlist or this Apple Music playlist), it was winner of the inaugural Grammy for both Record of the Year and Song of the Year. Listen as we tell this song's strange story, relate our memories of Modugno's hometown of Polignano a Mare in Puglia, and somehow work both painter Marc Chagall and the Italian Parliament into the conversation. Enjoy!

]]> With a song in our hearts, the wind sweeping through the window, and our hands and faces inexplicably painted blue, this week Anne and Jim swing along with Domenico Modugno's international hit record, "Nel blu dipinto di blu" (also known as "Volare!"). Often covered (see this Spotify playlist or this Apple Music playlist), it was winner of the inaugural Grammy for both Record of the Year and Song of the Year. Listen as we tell this song's strange story, relate our memories of Modugno's hometown of Polignano a Mare in Puglia, and somehow work both painter Marc Chagall and the Italian Parliament into the conversation. Enjoy!

]]> Anne Schuchman and James Berrettini Buzzsprout-8953520 Mon, 09 Aug 2021 00:00:00 -0400 1910 1 17 full false Ep. 16: Via Francigena / Tuscany and Lazio Ep. 16: Via Francigena / Tuscany and Lazio This week, we take a hike...on the Via Francigena, an ancient pilgrimage route that runs from Canterbury, England to Rome, passing through some marvelous scenery along the way. Anne walked part of it in 2019, and Jim is planning a walk this autumn, so we chat about what a pilgrimage walk is, how to prepare, and what to see (and eat!) along the way!

]]> This week, we take a hike...on the Via Francigena, an ancient pilgrimage route that runs from Canterbury, England to Rome, passing through some marvelous scenery along the way. Anne walked part of it in 2019, and Jim is planning a walk this autumn, so we chat about what a pilgrimage walk is, how to prepare, and what to see (and eat!) along the way!

]]> Anne Schuchman and James Berrettini Buzzsprout-8953281 Mon, 02 Aug 2021 00:00:00 -0400 2416 1 16 full false Ep. 15: Giacomo Leopardi/Le Marche Ep. 15: Giacomo Leopardi/Le Marche This week we tackle the great Italian poet and philosopher Giacomo Leopardi and the region of Le Marche, his birthplace and source of both inspiration as well as despair. In one of his most famous poems, "L'Infinito" ("The Infinite"), Leopardi describes the view of the immense sky from his childhood home, partially blocked by a hedge and a hill. Perhaps precisely because of this limitation, the view is all the more dear to him because of what it leaves to the imagination. Leopardi did eventually overcome both his restrictive upbringing as well as his poor health, and traveled quite a bit around Italy before his death at the age of 38, but the region of Le Marche remains associated with him and his works. Today you can visit Leopardi's home (and extensive library) in the small town of Recanati, but Le Marche also offers extensive parks, gorgeous beaches, and important cultural centers and cities, such as Urbino, the hometown of artist Raphael. Oh, and you can also see and climb that very same hill Leopardi writes about in "L'Infinito."

]]> This week we tackle the great Italian poet and philosopher Giacomo Leopardi and the region of Le Marche, his birthplace and source of both inspiration as well as despair. In one of his most famous poems, "L'Infinito" ("The Infinite"), Leopardi describes the view of the immense sky from his childhood home, partially blocked by a hedge and a hill. Perhaps precisely because of this limitation, the view is all the more dear to him because of what it leaves to the imagination. Leopardi did eventually overcome both his restrictive upbringing as well as his poor health, and traveled quite a bit around Italy before his death at the age of 38, but the region of Le Marche remains associated with him and his works. Today you can visit Leopardi's home (and extensive library) in the small town of Recanati, but Le Marche also offers extensive parks, gorgeous beaches, and important cultural centers and cities, such as Urbino, the hometown of artist Raphael. Oh, and you can also see and climb that very same hill Leopardi writes about in "L'Infinito."

]]> Anne Schuchman and James Berrettini Buzzsprout-8919759 Mon, 26 Jul 2021 08:00:00 -0400 2442 1 15 full false Ep. 14: St. Catherine of Siena Ep. 14: St. Catherine of Siena Mystic, Leader, Writer, Saint, just a general Badass, Catherine of Siena set her fourteenth-century world on fire. In this episode we head back to Tuscany to talk about Catherine, her life, her letters, and her hometown city of Siena. Plus, Chianti! In this episode we speak about this letter of Catherine of Siena to Pope Gregory XI: http://web.mit.edu/aorlando/www/SaintJohnCHI/Church%20History%20Readings/Catherine%20of%20Siena%20Letter%2074.pdf

]]> Mystic, Leader, Writer, Saint, just a general Badass, Catherine of Siena set her fourteenth-century world on fire. In this episode we head back to Tuscany to talk about Catherine, her life, her letters, and her hometown city of Siena. Plus, Chianti! In this episode we speak about this letter of Catherine of Siena to Pope Gregory XI: http://web.mit.edu/aorlando/www/SaintJohnCHI/Church%20History%20Readings/Catherine%20of%20Siena%20Letter%2074.pdf

]]> Anne Schuchman and James Berrettini Buzzsprout-8842782 Mon, 19 Jul 2021 00:00:00 -0400 2339 1 14 full false Ep. 13: Thomas Mann / Venice Ep. 13: Thomas Mann / Venice Today we laugh far too much about Death in Venice, a not-at-all-funny novella by our first non-Italian author, Thomas Mann. But seriously, is there something about illness and decadence that drives creativity?

]]> Today we laugh far too much about Death in Venice, a not-at-all-funny novella by our first non-Italian author, Thomas Mann. But seriously, is there something about illness and decadence that drives creativity?

]]> Anne Schuchman and James Berrettini Buzzsprout-8768336 Mon, 12 Jul 2021 00:00:00 -0400 2375 1 13 full false Ep. 12: Traveling With (or Without?) Kids in Italy Ep. 12: Traveling With (or Without?) Kids in Italy Anne and Jim take another break from hitting the books, this week talking about traveling with kids in the Bel Paese.

]]> Anne and Jim take another break from hitting the books, this week talking about traveling with kids in the Bel Paese.

]]> Anne Schuchman and James Berrettini Buzzsprout-8767950 Mon, 05 Jul 2021 00:00:00 -0400 1600 1 12 full false Ep. 11: Natalia Ginzburg / Abruzzo Ep. 11: Natalia Ginzburg / Abruzzo We're a little out of our comfort zone, reading Natalia Ginzburg's essay "Winter in the Abruzzi," in which she recalls, bittersweetly, her family's exile in the Abruzzo during the Fascist regime. Abruzzo is a region we've never seen (but high on our list of places to visit); it has served as a literary setting in other works (think Hemingway among American authors). You can read a translation of the essay here.

]]> We're a little out of our comfort zone, reading Natalia Ginzburg's essay "Winter in the Abruzzi," in which she recalls, bittersweetly, her family's exile in the Abruzzo during the Fascist regime. Abruzzo is a region we've never seen (but high on our list of places to visit); it has served as a literary setting in other works (think Hemingway among American authors). You can read a translation of the essay here.

]]> Anne Schuchman and James Berrettini Buzzsprout-8767940 Mon, 28 Jun 2021 00:00:00 -0400 1547 1 11 full false Ep. 10: Carlo Levi / Basilicata Ep. 10: Carlo Levi / Basilicata This week we head south to Lucania, the region of Italy now known as Basilicata, as we discuss Carlo Levi's memoir, Christ Stopped at Eboli,  shedding light on the poverty and isolation of the area. We talk about one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, Matera, which has gone from being the "Disgrace of Italy" to Italy's "2019 Capital of Culture." Crowded cave dwellings are now fancy hotels and restaurants, and cultural and art museums abound. But after over 9,000 years, the soul of this city remains: magical, earthy, real. 

]]> This week we head south to Lucania, the region of Italy now known as Basilicata, as we discuss Carlo Levi's memoir, Christ Stopped at Eboli,  shedding light on the poverty and isolation of the area. We talk about one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, Matera, which has gone from being the "Disgrace of Italy" to Italy's "2019 Capital of Culture." Crowded cave dwellings are now fancy hotels and restaurants, and cultural and art museums abound. But after over 9,000 years, the soul of this city remains: magical, earthy, real. 

]]> Anne Schuchman and James Berrettini Buzzsprout-8724611 Mon, 21 Jun 2021 00:00:00 -0400 2305 1 10 full false Ep. 9: Moravia / Rome Ep. 9: Moravia / Rome What is competition? This week’s short comic story by Alberto Moravia asks just that question as a pushcart vendor first falls for his competition, then is destroyed by her--or does he really destroy himself?  We also talk about the neighborhood in which the story is set, the picturesque quarter of Trastevere, and the walking bridges that connect it to the historic center on the eastern side of the Tiber and the lovely Via Giulia. For more on Moravia, check out the museum dedicated to him in Rome. The Museum of Rome in Trastevere offers exhibitions on the history and culture of this endlessly fascinating city.  More on Trastevere from Lonely Planet. "The Competition" ("La concorrenza"), the short story we discuss in this episode, was originally published in Moravia's Racconti Romani (Roman Tales), but can also be found in a facing page collection by Dover books, along with eleven other short stories by Italian writers from medieval to modern times.

]]> What is competition? This week’s short comic story by Alberto Moravia asks just that question as a pushcart vendor first falls for his competition, then is destroyed by her--or does he really destroy himself?  We also talk about the neighborhood in which the story is set, the picturesque quarter of Trastevere, and the walking bridges that connect it to the historic center on the eastern side of the Tiber and the lovely Via Giulia. For more on Moravia, check out the museum dedicated to him in Rome. The Museum of Rome in Trastevere offers exhibitions on the history and culture of this endlessly fascinating city.  More on Trastevere from Lonely Planet. "The Competition" ("La concorrenza"), the short story we discuss in this episode, was originally published in Moravia's Racconti Romani (Roman Tales), but can also be found in a facing page collection by Dover books, along with eleven other short stories by Italian writers from medieval to modern times.

]]> Anne Schuchman and James Berrettini Buzzsprout-8650647 Mon, 14 Jun 2021 00:00:00 -0400 1849 1 9 full false Ep. 8: I Vecchi Sposi (The Oldlywed Game) Ep. 8: I Vecchi Sposi (The Oldlywed Game) Welcome to a little parlor game we call either "The Oldlywed Game," or "I Vecchi Sposi." Anne and Jim try to predict each other's responses to questions about Italy. We promised not to hit each other with large placards with our answers written on them, and by and large we succeeded. Apologies to Bob Eubanks. 

]]> Welcome to a little parlor game we call either "The Oldlywed Game," or "I Vecchi Sposi." Anne and Jim try to predict each other's responses to questions about Italy. We promised not to hit each other with large placards with our answers written on them, and by and large we succeeded. Apologies to Bob Eubanks. 

]]> Buzzsprout-8621208 Mon, 07 Jun 2021 00:00:00 -0400 2083 1 8 full false Ep.7: Montale / Liguria and the Cinque Terre Ep.7: Montale / Liguria and the Cinque Terre Lemons and sunshine! What's not to love? Today we're talking about poet and Nobel laureate Eugenio Montale and his "happy place," the gorgeous coastline of Liguria, tucked up in the northwest corner of Italy, bordering the French Riviera.

In one of his early poems, I Limoni (The Lemon Trees), Montale describes the lemon trees in Monterosso al Mare, a small town on the Ligurian Coast where he spent his childhood summers. These lemons offer a glimpse of what is real and what is true, through the brightness and beauty of nature, a brightness and a beauty that can persist even through the cold and dreary winter days. And speaking of the beauty of nature, we talk about the Cinque Terre, the five small fishing towns of which Montale's Monterosso is the largest, that have become incredibly popular in recent years among tourists because of their accessibility by train and boat, colorful houses, wonderful seafood and white wine, and rocky beaches. To better enjoy the towns, consider staying a few nights, and also walking the famous trails nearby, the most famous of which connects the five villages one to the other, and which, until the train came through, was the only way villagers were able to visit each other other than by boat. Other nearby options might be Rapallo, Camogli, Santa Margherita Ligure, Portovenere, Lerici, and Tellaro may be slightly less-crowded options to actually staying in the Cinque Terre (although the secret is out about them as well!).

And finally we reminisce about our one and only cruise (we both got violently seasick) and introduce our upcoming episode: "The Oldly-wed Game", where we ask each other questions about Italy and try and guess what the other will answer. As a teaser we find out that after nearly 25 years of marriage neither one of us has any idea what kind of ice cream the other likes! (And I suspect I only said lemon because I was still thinking of Montale...)

The LemonTrees
Eugenio Montale (Trans. Anne Schuchman)

Listen to me, the poet laureates
move only among fauna
with obscure-sounding names: boxwoods, privet, or acanthus.
For my part, I love the roads that end in grassy
ditches where in half-dry puddles
boys grab at
a few haggard eels:
the paths that follow along the shoreline,
then move down between the tufts of reeds
and into the gardens, among the lemon trees.

Better still, if the riotous songs of the birds
are silenced, swallowed up by the blue:
you can hear more clearly the whisper
of friendly branches in the air that just barely moves,
and the intensity of this scent
that cannot be separated from the earth
and a restless sweetness rains in the heart.
Here the war of conflicted passions
by some miracle falls silent,
here even the poor, we have our share of riches—
and it is the smell of the lemon trees...

(Read the rest of the poem here) 

]]> Lemons and sunshine! What's not to love? Today we're talking about poet and Nobel laureate Eugenio Montale and his "happy place," the gorgeous coastline of Liguria, tucked up in the northwest corner of Italy, bordering the French Riviera.

In one of his early poems, I Limoni (The Lemon Trees), Montale describes the lemon trees in Monterosso al Mare, a small town on the Ligurian Coast where he spent his childhood summers. These lemons offer a glimpse of what is real and what is true, through the brightness and beauty of nature, a brightness and a beauty that can persist even through the cold and dreary winter days. And speaking of the beauty of nature, we talk about the Cinque Terre, the five small fishing towns of which Montale's Monterosso is the largest, that have become incredibly popular in recent years among tourists because of their accessibility by train and boat, colorful houses, wonderful seafood and white wine, and rocky beaches. To better enjoy the towns, consider staying a few nights, and also walking the famous trails nearby, the most famous of which connects the five villages one to the other, and which, until the train came through, was the only way villagers were able to visit each other other than by boat. Other nearby options might be Rapallo, Camogli, Santa Margherita Ligure, Portovenere, Lerici, and Tellaro may be slightly less-crowded options to actually staying in the Cinque Terre (although the secret is out about them as well!).

And finally we reminisce about our one and only cruise (we both got violently seasick) and introduce our upcoming episode: "The Oldly-wed Game", where we ask each other questions about Italy and try and guess what the other will answer. As a teaser we find out that after nearly 25 years of marriage neither one of us has any idea what kind of ice cream the other likes! (And I suspect I only said lemon because I was still thinking of Montale...)

The LemonTrees
Eugenio Montale (Trans. Anne Schuchman)

Listen to me, the poet laureates
move only among fauna
with obscure-sounding names: boxwoods, privet, or acanthus.
For my part, I love the roads that end in grassy
ditches where in half-dry puddles
boys grab at
a few haggard eels:
the paths that follow along the shoreline,
then move down between the tufts of reeds
and into the gardens, among the lemon trees.

Better still, if the riotous songs of the birds
are silenced, swallowed up by the blue:
you can hear more clearly the whisper
of friendly branches in the air that just barely moves,
and the intensity of this scent
that cannot be separated from the earth
and a restless sweetness rains in the heart.
Here the war of conflicted passions
by some miracle falls silent,
here even the poor, we have our share of riches—
and it is the smell of the lemon trees...

(Read the rest of the poem here) 

]]> Anne Schuchman and James Berrettini Buzzsprout-8614231 Mon, 31 May 2021 00:00:00 -0400 2461 1 7 full false Ep. 6: Everybody Loves Francis! / Assisi Ep. 6: Everybody Loves Francis! / Assisi Back to the medieval! We talk about Saint Francis of Assisi and his Canticle of the Creatures, one of the first examples of written Italian. Anne once fantasized about a sitcom based on his life called Everybody Loves Francis! (Mostly just for the title.) And then take a trip to his hometown of Assisi in Umbria: how to get around, what to see, where to stay, and (as always!) what to eat! Pax et bonum! Pace e bene! Peace and Goodness!

Patron saint of animals and ecology as well as the country of Italy (along with Catherine of Siena), Francis did quite a bit of traveling, preaching as he went. Yet he always came back to his hometown of Assisi. Well worth a visit today not only for its connection to its famous native son, Assisi is a marvelous example of a medieval Italian hilltop town. Francis is buried in the lower basilica of San Francesco in Assisi, where you can also admire the frescoes attributed to Giotto in the upper church that depict Francis's life and miracles. Also in the historic center of Assisi you can visit the Basilica of Santa Chiara, which contains the saint's crypt as well as the crucifix, which, according to the legend, first called Francis to "repair my church."

As we mention in the episode, Francis died in the lower part of the town of Assisi, in this church of the Porziuncola, today enclosed by the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli. We also talked about hiking up to the Eremo delle Carceri, a lovely place in the woods where Francis and his followers would retreat for solitude and prayer.

And we also talked a lot about eating! A great place to eat (and stay) about a kilometer outside of the city walls is the Ristorante La Stalla at Fontemaggio, which, as the name suggests, is housed in a converted stall. You can try local favorites like pasta or meats cooked over an indoor enormous grill. Fontemaggio also has a hotel, hostel and campground.

We read aloud and talk more in-depth about Francis's prayer, The Canticle of Brother Son (or Cantle of the Creatures). You can read the original and an English translation here.

]]> Back to the medieval! We talk about Saint Francis of Assisi and his Canticle of the Creatures, one of the first examples of written Italian. Anne once fantasized about a sitcom based on his life called Everybody Loves Francis! (Mostly just for the title.) And then take a trip to his hometown of Assisi in Umbria: how to get around, what to see, where to stay, and (as always!) what to eat! Pax et bonum! Pace e bene! Peace and Goodness!

Patron saint of animals and ecology as well as the country of Italy (along with Catherine of Siena), Francis did quite a bit of traveling, preaching as he went. Yet he always came back to his hometown of Assisi. Well worth a visit today not only for its connection to its famous native son, Assisi is a marvelous example of a medieval Italian hilltop town. Francis is buried in the lower basilica of San Francesco in Assisi, where you can also admire the frescoes attributed to Giotto in the upper church that depict Francis's life and miracles. Also in the historic center of Assisi you can visit the Basilica of Santa Chiara, which contains the saint's crypt as well as the crucifix, which, according to the legend, first called Francis to "repair my church."

As we mention in the episode, Francis died in the lower part of the town of Assisi, in this church of the Porziuncola, today enclosed by the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli. We also talked about hiking up to the Eremo delle Carceri, a lovely place in the woods where Francis and his followers would retreat for solitude and prayer.

And we also talked a lot about eating! A great place to eat (and stay) about a kilometer outside of the city walls is the Ristorante La Stalla at Fontemaggio, which, as the name suggests, is housed in a converted stall. You can try local favorites like pasta or meats cooked over an indoor enormous grill. Fontemaggio also has a hotel, hostel and campground.

We read aloud and talk more in-depth about Francis's prayer, The Canticle of Brother Son (or Cantle of the Creatures). You can read the original and an English translation here.

]]> Anne Schuchman and James Berrettini Buzzsprout-8546032 Mon, 24 May 2021 00:00:00 -0400 2473 1 6 full false Ep. 5: Elena Ferrante's "My Brilliant Friend" / Naples Ep. 5: Elena Ferrante's "My Brilliant Friend" / Naples See Naples and...LIVE! On this week's episode we talk about My Brilliant Friend, the first in a four-novel series by pseudonymous author Elena Ferrante. The books trace the friendship of two girls, Lila and Lenù, growing up in post-war Naples. We talk about genius and learning, monsters and mobsters, and the city of Naples itself, both as a character in the book as well as a destination. What to see, where to go...and what to eat!

Ferrante’s Neapolitan Novels, a four-volume series beginning with My Brilliant Friend, relate the long and complicated friendship between two girls, Lenù and Lila, from their childhood in the slums to old age, when Lila suddenly and mysteriously disappears. The books have become nothing short of a phenomenon, international bestsellers and an HBO miniseries. Some of the fascination no doubt is with Elena Ferrante herself, pen name of an unknown author, but certainly another source of the interest lies in the city of Naples itself, and its fundamental role in all four novels. This is not the Naples of cruise ships and Capri, this is a harsh and often ugly Naples, a city of squalor and violence.

Lenù, narrator of My Brilliant Friend, reports that she left Naples definitely in 1995, just as the city was experiencing a renewal because she “no longer believed in its resurrections.” However Naples today is a surprising mix of ancient artifacts, vibrant street life, and amazing food, all with glorious views of Vesuvius and the sea. My Brilliant Friend tours have sprung up around the city, offering glimpses of Naples beyond the tourist center. And the island of Ischia, a pivotal plot location, can be reached by ferry in about an hour. While you are reading the books and watching the miniseries, start planning your next trip to Naples. Be prepared to be surprised.

]]> See Naples and...LIVE! On this week's episode we talk about My Brilliant Friend, the first in a four-novel series by pseudonymous author Elena Ferrante. The books trace the friendship of two girls, Lila and Lenù, growing up in post-war Naples. We talk about genius and learning, monsters and mobsters, and the city of Naples itself, both as a character in the book as well as a destination. What to see, where to go...and what to eat!

Ferrante’s Neapolitan Novels, a four-volume series beginning with My Brilliant Friend, relate the long and complicated friendship between two girls, Lenù and Lila, from their childhood in the slums to old age, when Lila suddenly and mysteriously disappears. The books have become nothing short of a phenomenon, international bestsellers and an HBO miniseries. Some of the fascination no doubt is with Elena Ferrante herself, pen name of an unknown author, but certainly another source of the interest lies in the city of Naples itself, and its fundamental role in all four novels. This is not the Naples of cruise ships and Capri, this is a harsh and often ugly Naples, a city of squalor and violence.

Lenù, narrator of My Brilliant Friend, reports that she left Naples definitely in 1995, just as the city was experiencing a renewal because she “no longer believed in its resurrections.” However Naples today is a surprising mix of ancient artifacts, vibrant street life, and amazing food, all with glorious views of Vesuvius and the sea. My Brilliant Friend tours have sprung up around the city, offering glimpses of Naples beyond the tourist center. And the island of Ischia, a pivotal plot location, can be reached by ferry in about an hour. While you are reading the books and watching the miniseries, start planning your next trip to Naples. Be prepared to be surprised.

]]> Anne Schuchman and James Berrettini Buzzsprout-8521700 Mon, 17 May 2021 00:00:00 -0400 2571 1 5 full false Ep. 4: Tips for Travel to Italy Ep. 4: Tips for Travel to Italy We take a break from books this week to talk a little bit about how we think about travel to Italy and what works for us. Your mileage may vary.

]]> We take a break from books this week to talk a little bit about how we think about travel to Italy and what works for us. Your mileage may vary.

]]> Anne Schuchman and James Berrettini Buzzsprout-8483282 Mon, 10 May 2021 00:00:00 -0400 1896 1 4 full false Ep. 3: Petrarch Ep. 3: Petrarch This episode is not exactly a sonnet, but today Anne and Jim have fun / suffer the passion of reading Francesco Petrarca, more commonly known as Petrarch in the English-speaking world. Also, they pine to see Arezzo again (or Avignon for the first time!). So much longing, such intensity of feeling. Plus, memories of Arqua Petrarca and Padua. Who's buried in Petrarch's tomb (trick question!)? And what's up with the cat mummy?

Referred to sometimes as the father of humanism and the Renaissance, Francesco Petrarca (Petrarch in English) is best known for his lyric poetry, which established a model in Europe for centuries. Petrarch was born in the city of Arezzo, about an hour southeast of Florence, where his father had fled after, like Dante, he was exiled from the city of Florence. Petrarch was a prolific traveler, and spent much of his adult life in many of the major courts in both Italy and France. This may have contributed to his vision of Italy as a cohesive political entity, rather than a fragmented collection of warring factions, as it had been for centuries. A renowned scholar and advocated for a study of the classics, Petrarch is best known for his book of poems, the Canzoniere, or Rime Sparse (Scattered Rhymes), a collection of 366 poems, most of which are love poems dedicated to Laura, his beloved.

Petrarch spent the latter part of his life in a small town called Arquà (now called Arquà Petrarca in the poet’s honor), about a half-hour southwest of the city of Padua. Literary tourism to Arquà Petrarca has existed for centuries, one of the earliest examples of a museum dedicated to a writer. Here you can visit Petrarch’s final home and his tomb. Unlike Dante’s tomb in Florence, the tomb in Arquà does indeed hold his body, however when it was exhumed in 2003 in anticipation of the celebration of the 700th anniversary of the poet’s birth, it was discovered that skull contained inside was not Petrarch’s at all, but that of an unknown woman. Presumably at some point in history Petrarch’s skull, along with several other bone fragments, was stolen, probably to be sold. The museum also includes the mummified remains of a cat, reputed to be Petrarch’s favorite pet, with a Latin inscription that proclaims: “The Etruscan poet burned with twin loves, I am the greater fire, Laura was the second.” Although there is no evidence the cat belonged to Petrarch at all, it makes a fun diversion, and has led tourists to this spot since the 16th century.

]]> This episode is not exactly a sonnet, but today Anne and Jim have fun / suffer the passion of reading Francesco Petrarca, more commonly known as Petrarch in the English-speaking world. Also, they pine to see Arezzo again (or Avignon for the first time!). So much longing, such intensity of feeling. Plus, memories of Arqua Petrarca and Padua. Who's buried in Petrarch's tomb (trick question!)? And what's up with the cat mummy?

Referred to sometimes as the father of humanism and the Renaissance, Francesco Petrarca (Petrarch in English) is best known for his lyric poetry, which established a model in Europe for centuries. Petrarch was born in the city of Arezzo, about an hour southeast of Florence, where his father had fled after, like Dante, he was exiled from the city of Florence. Petrarch was a prolific traveler, and spent much of his adult life in many of the major courts in both Italy and France. This may have contributed to his vision of Italy as a cohesive political entity, rather than a fragmented collection of warring factions, as it had been for centuries. A renowned scholar and advocated for a study of the classics, Petrarch is best known for his book of poems, the Canzoniere, or Rime Sparse (Scattered Rhymes), a collection of 366 poems, most of which are love poems dedicated to Laura, his beloved.

Petrarch spent the latter part of his life in a small town called Arquà (now called Arquà Petrarca in the poet’s honor), about a half-hour southwest of the city of Padua. Literary tourism to Arquà Petrarca has existed for centuries, one of the earliest examples of a museum dedicated to a writer. Here you can visit Petrarch’s final home and his tomb. Unlike Dante’s tomb in Florence, the tomb in Arquà does indeed hold his body, however when it was exhumed in 2003 in anticipation of the celebration of the 700th anniversary of the poet’s birth, it was discovered that skull contained inside was not Petrarch’s at all, but that of an unknown woman. Presumably at some point in history Petrarch’s skull, along with several other bone fragments, was stolen, probably to be sold. The museum also includes the mummified remains of a cat, reputed to be Petrarch’s favorite pet, with a Latin inscription that proclaims: “The Etruscan poet burned with twin loves, I am the greater fire, Laura was the second.” Although there is no evidence the cat belonged to Petrarch at all, it makes a fun diversion, and has led tourists to this spot since the 16th century.

]]> Anne Schuchman and James Berrettini Buzzsprout-8421679 Mon, 03 May 2021 00:00:00 -0400 1456 1 3 full false Ep. 2: Boccaccio Ep. 2: Boccaccio A writer from the fourteenth century might not seem relevant, but Boccaccio has a lot to say about how to while away the hours in epidemic lockdown and how to make yourself look good in job interviews.

While Dante has been well-known to non-Italian audiences for centuries, Giovanni Boccaccio has enjoyed a new popularity thanks to the setting of his Decameron during the 1348 plague. With the Black Death as a background, the Decameron consists of one hundred tales told by ten Florentine noblemen and women who have fled the city for ten days in order to find respite and peace in the Tuscan hillsides. Although many of the stories take place in Florence, there are also many others that taken place in various small towns and further cities.

Boccaccio himself was probably born in the small town of Certaldo, located south of the cit of Florence, where you can today visit his tomb. Several towns have claimed to be the location of the villas where the Brigata tell the one hundred tales, but the town of Fiesole, just north of Florence, deserves a visit regardless. You may also find less expensive accommodations around Fiesole, as well as cooler air during the summer months, and still have access to the city center by bus or car (park at the underground car park in Piazza della Libertà).

You can find the Decameron as well as history and commentary at Brown University's Decameron Web.

]]> A writer from the fourteenth century might not seem relevant, but Boccaccio has a lot to say about how to while away the hours in epidemic lockdown and how to make yourself look good in job interviews.

While Dante has been well-known to non-Italian audiences for centuries, Giovanni Boccaccio has enjoyed a new popularity thanks to the setting of his Decameron during the 1348 plague. With the Black Death as a background, the Decameron consists of one hundred tales told by ten Florentine noblemen and women who have fled the city for ten days in order to find respite and peace in the Tuscan hillsides. Although many of the stories take place in Florence, there are also many others that taken place in various small towns and further cities.

Boccaccio himself was probably born in the small town of Certaldo, located south of the cit of Florence, where you can today visit his tomb. Several towns have claimed to be the location of the villas where the Brigata tell the one hundred tales, but the town of Fiesole, just north of Florence, deserves a visit regardless. You may also find less expensive accommodations around Fiesole, as well as cooler air during the summer months, and still have access to the city center by bus or car (park at the underground car park in Piazza della Libertà).

You can find the Decameron as well as history and commentary at Brown University's Decameron Web.

]]> Anne Schuchman and James Berrettini Buzzsprout-8358841 Mon, 26 Apr 2021 00:00:00 -0400 1610 1 2 full false Ep. 1: Dante and Florence Ep. 1: Dante and Florence Anne reads (and re-reads) her favorite book as we head to the 700th anniversary of Dante Alighieri's death. We also drink Vin Santo and walk through Florence.

Dante’s most famous work, the Divine Comedy, traces the salvific journey of the character Dante, led by the love of his life, the saintly Beatrice, through Hell, Purgatory, and finally Paradise. Referring to himself as “a Florentine by birth, not by character,” Dante wrote the poem while in permanent exile from the city, and while Florence certainly receives the greatest attention in his poem, Dante also includes stories and places from around the peninsula, encountered, perhaps, during his travels. You can find more on Dante at the Princeton Dante Project, Columbia's Digital Dante, and UT Austin’s DanteWorlds.

​And in Italy, you can trace a route from Dante’s birthplace to his tomb, with many sites in between. Begin at the Casa di Dante in Florence (a reconstruction built near the site of his birth), then walk down the street to Dante’s family church, Santa Margherita de’ Cerchi. There you will find a small shrine dedicated to Beatrice where the lovelorn leave notes and requests for aid, much as they do at Juliet’s balcony in Verona. Finally, head over to the Franciscan church of Santa Croce, final resting place of some of the most famous Italians (Michelangelo, Machiavelli, and Galileo to name just a few), and look for Dante’s statue outside and his tomb inside. The tomb stands empty, however, as Dante was actually buried in Ravenna, where he lived during the last few years of his life, and the city is determined to hold onto his remains. You can even take the “Cammino di Dante,” a 400 kilometer hiking trail that goes from Ravenna to Florence and back again, with suggested stops in several small towns either mentioned in the Comedy, or else visited by the poet himself.

]]> Anne reads (and re-reads) her favorite book as we head to the 700th anniversary of Dante Alighieri's death. We also drink Vin Santo and walk through Florence.

Dante’s most famous work, the Divine Comedy, traces the salvific journey of the character Dante, led by the love of his life, the saintly Beatrice, through Hell, Purgatory, and finally Paradise. Referring to himself as “a Florentine by birth, not by character,” Dante wrote the poem while in permanent exile from the city, and while Florence certainly receives the greatest attention in his poem, Dante also includes stories and places from around the peninsula, encountered, perhaps, during his travels. You can find more on Dante at the Princeton Dante Project, Columbia's Digital Dante, and UT Austin’s DanteWorlds.

​And in Italy, you can trace a route from Dante’s birthplace to his tomb, with many sites in between. Begin at the Casa di Dante in Florence (a reconstruction built near the site of his birth), then walk down the street to Dante’s family church, Santa Margherita de’ Cerchi. There you will find a small shrine dedicated to Beatrice where the lovelorn leave notes and requests for aid, much as they do at Juliet’s balcony in Verona. Finally, head over to the Franciscan church of Santa Croce, final resting place of some of the most famous Italians (Michelangelo, Machiavelli, and Galileo to name just a few), and look for Dante’s statue outside and his tomb inside. The tomb stands empty, however, as Dante was actually buried in Ravenna, where he lived during the last few years of his life, and the city is determined to hold onto his remains. You can even take the “Cammino di Dante,” a 400 kilometer hiking trail that goes from Ravenna to Florence and back again, with suggested stops in several small towns either mentioned in the Comedy, or else visited by the poet himself.

]]> Anne Schuchman and James Berrettini Buzzsprout-8358340 Mon, 19 Apr 2021 06:00:00 -0400 1985 1 1 full false Ep. 0: Welcome to Literary Italy Ep. 0: Welcome to Literary Italy Anne and Jim welcome you to Literary Italy, a joyous romp through the books and the landscape of the bel paese. Join us as we share our love of the literature, the people, the land, and the experience that is Italy.

]]> Anne and Jim welcome you to Literary Italy, a joyous romp through the books and the landscape of the bel paese. Join us as we share our love of the literature, the people, the land, and the experience that is Italy.

]]> Anne and Jim Buzzsprout-8285432 Mon, 12 Apr 2021 00:00:00 -0400 750 trailer false