After living in Italy for ten years and having married into an Italian family, novelist Tim Parks describes his experiences of the country and its people. How does an Italian become Italian? Focusing on his own children, Parks builds a picture of contemporary family life.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
Tim Parks is the author of seven novels: Loving Roger, Home Thoughts, Tongues of Flame, Family Planning, Goodness, Juggling the Stars, and Shear. He has won international acclaim for his work, including the Somerset Maugham, John Llewellyn Rhys, and Betty Trask awards. Born in Manchester, England, he studied English literature at Cambridge University and Harvard. In addition to his own award-winning books, Parks has translated the works of Moravia, Calvino, and Calasso. He lives just outside Verona, Italy, where he teaches English at the University Of Verona.
When expatriate novelist Parks wrote about living in Italy in Italian Neighbors (1992), he focused on the process of acclimation and his often tricky relationships with adults. Now, in another charming and fluidly composed volume of keen observations, amusing anecdotes, and creative musings, he considers the "world of children," especially of his own inventively bilingual son and daughter, who, Parks must concede, will grow up thoroughly Italian in spite of being half English. Childhood in Italy is a fecund topic for Parks, a perfect conduit for analyzing all the quirks of Italian society. As Parks attempts to define what exactly makes Italians Italian, he discusses everything from bureaucracy to lullabies, attitudes toward pregnancy and large families, food preferences, the worship of conformity, the "mama mystique," typical vacations, adultery, school events, and textbooks. Thus the concept of "Italian education" works on two levels. While Parks is describing how Italians teach each other to be Italian, he's also teaching us outsiders all about their richly textured culture. This is an intelligent and sunny book, glimmering with all the contradictions and joys of daily life. Donna Seaman
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Shipping:
US$ 6.44
From United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Shipping:
US$ 4.25
Within U.S.A.
Seller: WorldofBooks, Goring-By-Sea, WS, United Kingdom
Hardback. Condition: USED_VERYGOOD. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged. Seller Inventory # GOR002931430
Quantity: 4 available
Seller: WorldofBooks, Goring-By-Sea, WS, United Kingdom
Hardback. Condition: USED_GOOD. The book has been read but remains in clean condition. All pages are intact and the cover is intact. Some minor wear to the spine. Seller Inventory # GOR004318332
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Reuseabook, Gloucester, GLOS, United Kingdom
Hardcover. Condition: UNSPECIFIED. Dispatched, from the UK, within 48 hours of ordering. This book is in good condition but will show signs of previous ownership. Please expect some creasing to the spine and/or minor damage to the cover. Ripped/damaged jacket. The dust jacket of this book is slightly damaged/ripped, however, this does not affect the internal condition. Grubby book may have mild dirt or some staining, mostly on the edges of pages. Seller Inventory # CHL9980358
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: WeBuyBooks, Rossendale, LANCS, United Kingdom
Condition: USED_GOOD. Most items will be dispatched the same or the next working day. Seller Inventory # wbs7631903150
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Better World Books Ltd, Dunfermline, United Kingdom
Condition: Good. Ships from the UK. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages. Seller Inventory # 38439782-20
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: GoldBooks, Denver, CO, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: NEW. New Copy. Customer Service Guaranteed. Seller Inventory # think0436202158
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: GoldenWavesOfBooks, Fayetteville, TX, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: NEW. New. Fast Shipping and good customer service. Seller Inventory # Holz_New_0436202158
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: SecondSale, Montgomery, IL, U.S.A.
Condition: Good. Item in good condition. Textbooks may not include supplemental items i.e. CDs, access codes etc. Seller Inventory # 00070520841
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: SecondSale, Montgomery, IL, U.S.A.
Condition: Acceptable. Item in good condition. Textbooks may not include supplemental items i.e. CDs, access codes etc. Seller Inventory # 00068438430
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Big Bill's Books, Wimberley, TX, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: NEW. Brand New Copy. Seller Inventory # BBB_new0436202158
Quantity: 1 available