Greatest Books Set in Italy – Fiction & Non-Fiction

I discover one of the simplest ways to arrange for a visit is to learn in regards to the place I am going. Or, after I am residence, I can relive my journey experiences because the phrases come alive on the web page.And there is no higher place to return then Italy! I’ve bought 16 of the perfect books which are set in Italy to moist your urge for food for the nation.

You will discover a mixture of each fiction and non-fiction, whether or not you wish to really feel dreamy, paint an image of the nice and cozy, terra cotta rooftops, otherwise you wish to be taught some historical past.

1.”Stunning Ruins” by Jess Walter

Cinque Terre

In 1962, on a rocky outcropping on the sunny Italian coast, a younger innkeeper watches the sensible waters of the Ligurian Sea from beneath and sees an apparition: a tall, skinny girl in white who’s coming towards him on a ship. She’s an actress from America, he learns, and she or he is dying.

The story switches between 1962 and the current. Now, we’re in america, the place an aged Italian man exhibits up on a film studio’s again lot in search of the enigmatic girl he final noticed at his lodge a long time earlier. It is a story about love, desires, and main along with your coronary heart.

I salivated over this e book! It is so good and a fantastic learn. The sort you possibly can learn time and again.

Theme: Romance

Full information to Cinque Terre.

2. “Eat, Pray, Love” by Elizabeth Gilbert

Venice, Rome, & Florence

This bestseller chronicles Gilbert’s yearlong journey world wide after her divorce and what she discovers about herself. From Italy, the place she eats and learns to like once more; to India, the place she finds spirituality; to Bali, the place she learns to stability pleasure and devotion — it is a girl on a mission to heal herself.

You possibly can’t assist however fall in love with Italy by Gilbert’s writing. She brings the sights, smells, and tastes of every metropolis vividly to life. And who would not wish to examine somebody touring the world and discovering themselves?!

Theme: Self-discovery, Romance

3. “Underneath the Tuscan Solar” by Frances Mayes

Tuscany

In “Underneath the Tuscan Solar,” Frances Mayes tells the story of her buy, renovation, and life in a ruined villa in Tuscany. The memoir is stuffed with recipes, anecdotes, and observations about Italian tradition. It was on the New York Instances bestseller checklist for over two years.

If you wish to really feel swept away in Tuscany that is the right escape.

Theme: Romance

4. “Angels & Demons” by Dan Brown

Rome

When a Harvard symbologist is distributed to judge an odd image burned into the chest of a murdered physicist, he uncovers the Machiavellian deep group often called the Illuminati, which is making ready to wreak havoc on the Catholic Church.

After studying a couple of bomb positioned within the Vatican, he hurries to Rome and follows a path of historic indicators across the metropolis in an try to forestall the explosion.

Theme: Motion, Journey, Thriller

5. “A Farewell to Arms” By Ernest Hemingway

Milan, Italian Alps

A Farewell to Arms is a novel by Ernest Hemingway set throughout World Warfare I. The story follows Lieutenant Frederic Henry, an American officer serving as an ambulance driver within the Italian military, and his love affair with Catherine Barkley, an English nurse. When Henry is wounded and despatched to a hospital in Milan, Barkley visits him repeatedly, and their love affair deepens.

This novel is a superb learn for World Warfare I historical past buffs, in addition to those that take pleasure in an excellent love story.

Theme: Historic Fiction, Romance, Warfare

6. “The Godfather” By Mario Puzo

Sicily (& New York Metropolis)

The Godfather is against the law novel by Mario Puzo, initially revealed in 1969. The story follows the lives of the members of an Italian-American crime household based mostly in New York Metropolis in the course of the years 1945–1955.

The Godfather is a must-read for followers of mafia tales. It is a traditional for a motive! Many consider the film, however the e book is equally nearly as good.

Theme: Crime, Drama

7. “The Angel of Rome” by Jess Walter

Rome

A younger American faculty scholar strikes to Rome to check and turns into enthralled with the glamorous movie trade when he meets a fantastic Italian actress close to the top of her profession, in addition to an irrepressible American TV star trying to relive his glory days.

I completely LOVED this e book. It’s extremely brief, simply 2 hours and it is free on Audible.*

Theme: Brief Story, Romance, Comedy

8. “One Italian Summer season” By Rebecca Serle

Amalfi Coast

In “One Italian Summer season,” a younger girl named Emma travels to the attractive Amalfi Coast to stick with her aunt after the dying of her mom. Emma is grieving and would not wish to be round anybody, however she slowly begins to open up and revel in her time in Italy. She meets a good-looking native man named Luca they usually begin to fall for one another.

This can be a lovely, heartwarming learn that can make you lengthy for the Amalfi Coast. T

heme: Romance

9. “The Proficient Mr. Ripley” by Patricia Highsmith

Venice

In “The Proficient Mr. Ripley,” Tom Ripley is a con artist (and sociopath) who’s employed by a rich businessman to convey his son, Dickie Greenleaf, residence from Italy. Ripley begins to grow to be obsessive about Greenleaf’s life.

It is a darkish and twisted novel, set within the backdrop of Venice it’ll maintain you on the sting of your seat.

Theme: Thriller

10. “The Home on the Fringe of Night time” by Catherine Banner

Fictional Italian Island

The tiny island of Castellamare is a peaceable paradise too distant to be forgotten, but not remoted sufficient to keep away from the world’s considerations. In the course of the island’s exercise is a café often called the Home on the Fringe of Night time, the place residents come collectively to gossip and converse.

Amedeo Esposito, an orphan from Florence, involves the island as a physician and meets his spouse, Pina. The characters within the story entrance and intrigue: the priest who has a penchant for scandal, the evil rely and his intriguing spouse, and lots of extra who show an array of life in miniature, on the island.

That is a straightforward, lovely learn. I’ve additionally featured this e book in my “what to learn in 2022″ books.

Theme: Romance

11. “Room with a View” by E.M. Forster

Florence

In “Room with a View,” a younger, English girl named Lucy is on trip in Italy together with her mother and father and sister. She meets a younger man, George, and falls in love with him. Nonetheless, her household shouldn’t be supportive of the connection and needs her to marry the appropriate suitor.

I like books that take a look at class techniques and this one is a traditional.

Theme: Traditional, Romance

12. “Romeo & Juliet” by William Shakespeare

Verona

This Shakespeare play is definitely worth the learn. The story tells the story of two younger lovers, Romeo and Juliet, who’re from two totally different households which are feuding with one another. When their households discover out in regards to the relationship, they’re pressured to half methods. Juliet fakes her dying, Romeo finds her. Considering her lifeless, he decides to take his personal life. As soon as Juliet finds him, she does the identical.

Theme: Classics, Romance

13. “Love and Gelato” by Jenna Evan Welch

Florence

A younger American woman travels throughout Italy on a street journey crammed with love, intrigue, and journey in Love and Gelato. Lina is spending the summer season in Tuscany because it was her mom’s dying want that she be taught extra about her father. She learns the enchantment of Italy whereas studying her mom’s diary, which comprises a life-changing secret.

That is the right summer season learn.

Theme: Romance, Chick Lit, Younger Grownup

14. “The English Affected person” by Michael Ondaatje

Tuscany

The English Affected person is a fantastic, tragic love story set in World Warfare II. The story follows a burned man who’s being cared for by a nurse in an deserted Italian villa. The person, recognized solely because the English affected person, begins to inform his story of affection and loss in the course of the warfare.

This can be a timeless novel that can stick with you lengthy after you’ve got completed studying.

Theme: Warfare, Romance, Tragedy

15. “Name Me By Your Title” by Andre Aciman

Northern Italy

“Name Me By Your Title” tells the story of a summer season romance between a 17-year-old boy and a 24-year-old man. The novel is ready within the lovely city of Crema, in Northern Italy, and follows the 2 males as they discover their relationship.

Theme: Coming-of-Age, Romance

16. “Midnight in Sicily” by Peter Robb

Sicily

In “Midnight in Sicily,” Peter Robb takes us on a journey by the Sicilian panorama and tradition. He explores the Mafia, faith, meals, and politics of Sicily whereas additionally telling the story of his circle of relatives’s historical past.

This can be a fascinating learn that provides you with a brand new perspective on Italy.

Theme: Memoir, Historical past

It doesn’t matter what sort of e book you are in search of, there’s positive to be an awesome learn set in Italy. From romance to warfare, these books will transport you to the attractive nation and go away you wanting extra. Have you ever learn any of those books? What did you assume?