Books set in Italy (Rome, Venice, Florence, Milan)

[livelaughlove]

Hi all,
I'm going to Italy this summer for 22 days and I figured I would ask around and see if there are any books that are set in Italy or that show the Italian culture that I could read before I go. I'll be spending 2 weeks in Rome and then a couple of days in Venice, Florence, and Milan.

I prefer literature,fiction and/or poetry, rather than just straight up tour-guide books... if you know what I mean. Something with a plot and characters, rather than a textbook.

I've already read E.M. Forster's "A Room with a View" and it was spectacular. So, anything along those lines....

Thanks so much!!!

Tiffany

[Virgil]

How lucky of you. I'm jealous. I think Henry James' Portrait of a Lady is partially set in Italy. Actually Henry Jaes has quite a fw books set in Italy. You might want to google it. Let's see, there's Thomas Mann's Death in Venice, Hemingway's A Farewwll To Arms. If I think of more I'll come back.

[Dori]

The Agony and the Ecstasy by Irving Stone. It's a set in Renaissance Italy (it's a biographical novel of Michelangelo).

[livelaughlove]

This is great! Thanks so much for the suggestions so far... please keep them coming!

Virgil-- I know, I feel so fortunate! I've been wanting to go for a long time and finally it is going to happen! I am so excited. :)

[kandaurov]

Off the top of my head I remember only plays: The Cenci, by Shelley, and a lot of Shakespeare plays! Romeo and Juliet is in Verona, The Merchant of Venice in Venice... Hope that helps :)

edit: oh, Verona not included... well, but Shakespeare stands :p

[papayahed]

The City of Falling Angels by John Berendt. It's a set in Venice and it's a modern easy read.

[Erichtho]

I recommend Alberto Moravia's La romana / The Woman of Rome. Great novel.

[superunknown]

A Farewell to Arms by Hemingway of course.

And I'd say Angels and Demons but... no.

[Whifflingpin]

Amanda Prantera's "letter to lorenzo" "Capri File" "The Cabalist"

Eco's "The Mysterious Flame of Queen Loana"

Guiseppe di Lampedusa's "The Leopard"

Marjorie Bowen "The Viper of Milan"

Giovanni Guareschi - all the Don Camillo books

[stlukesguild]

Check out Goethe's Italian Journey... not a tour guide but rather a journal of sorts by the great writer in response to his Italian travels.

[Scheherazade]

The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone by Tennessee Williams - not a book that is known, discussed a lot but enjoyed every page of it.

http://www.online-literature.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27549

[JBI]

Orphic Songs by Dino Campana.