Looking Under The Hood!

I love spending time in Italy. In particular, surprise, surprise, I love Abruzzo.  I think it is one of the most wonderful places in the world.

I have travelled a little around the region, but I want to explore more.   I love the sound of the Italian language,  I understand a little, but I hope to learn more.  I know a little about the history of  Abruzzo, and guess what, I want to know more.

So, to help me along this journey, I have just finished reading Fontamara from The Abruzzo Trilogy: v. 1-3 by Ignazio Silone (real name Secondino Tranquilli).  Fontamara, published in the early 1930s, depicts the plight of peasant farmers in Abruzzo during the rise of fascism.  It is a tragic story, which gives an insight into a naturally tough way of life, that is made much worse by the impact of corrupt officials.

Now in case you are worried, I’m not going to make a political statement in this post.  My main purpose is to suggest that if you are going to spend time in a new part of the world it is a good idea to try to understand the place.  Probably an impossible task for an outsider, but you may go some way toward it by reading its literature, attempting to learn the language and getting out of the traditional tourist destinations.

I think reading any fiction set in the region would be a good place to start.

Related posts:

1. Bread and Wine, Ignazio Silone In a previous post, Looking Under The Hood, I introduced...
2. Abruzzo Television Online with TV Sei I find it difficult to find the time I need...
3. Learning Italian Learn 10 – get 10 new words a day. BBC...