The Book Lover's Guide to Rome

Travel through Rome’s literary history, from classical inspiration and Grand Tour writers to postwar neo-realism.

Discover the Rome that has inspired writers for centuries, from the Classical era to the present day. Walk in the footsteps of Virgil’s Aeneid, trace the path of Renaissance laureates or writers on the Grand Tour. The Book Lover’s Guide to Rome takes you to the favourite haunts of the Romantic poets, the places that stirred the Victorian imagination or formed the backdrop to the dolce vita. It also showcases the literature from a different Rome, one that struggled through the war and aired its scars in neo-realism and detective fiction. Whether at the scene of Ovid’s amorous adventures whilst watching the chariot races in the Circus Maximus or at a caffè that attracted the literati, each location is accompanied by sumptuous full colour photographs and helpful information on the best mode of travel.

Andrew and Suzanne Edwards have written literary guides to Sicily and Andalucía, in addition to penning books travelling in the footsteps of Samuel Taylor Coleridge and Byron’s doctor, John Polidori. They spend part of the year in Italy and have updated a guide to Emilia Romagna as well as writing a history of Palermo’s famous Hotel delle Palme. Andrew is also a literary translator.