“Italians say that someone who acquires a new language ‘possesses’ it. In my case, Italian possesses me. With Italian racing l...
read full description
reviews
Sep 07, 2010
Ciara
rated it: 
this is a memoir of how one non-italian woman spent 25 years becoming fluent in italian...or that's what i expected. it's really a lot more about the development of the italian language & the way the language unified the disparate regions throughout the italian peninsula & brought them together as a country. how much of this is bright shiny revisionist history, i am unqualified to say. i didn't dislike this book, but it was very different from what i expected. just look at the cover. doesn't it
More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Aug 08, 2011
Brian
rated it: 
This is a really good read for those that have a similar fascination with the Italian language. But wait, there's more to it than that: its a really comprehensive history lesson about the Italian Peninsular, its people, culture, art, food, music, inventions and of course, the language that is woven throughout all time
Its so damn good i've read it three times - just the sort of history / entertainment i like - you can pick it up and start anyplace - always something fascinating pops out More...
Its so damn good i've read it three times - just the sort of history / entertainment i like - you can pick it up and start anyplace - always something fascinating pops out More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Sep 13, 2011
Beth
rated it:
The author is correct, this is a book demonstrating her love affair with the Italian Language. That doesn't tell the whole story though. It is the story of how she got deeper and deeper into the Italian culture, psyching it out from the language as it developed from Latin though various dialects to become a unifying effect as Italy was created. Apparently it all goes back to those books by Dante and Boccacio (which I should have read a long time ago) and included writings and art by Leonardo d
More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Jan 23, 2012
Leah
rated it:
Since I'm taking an Italian class I thought this would be the perfect time to finally pull this book off the shelf and read it. I had no idea what I was in for! The cute little cover should be changed to something serious and textbooky because this is basically a history of the Italin language. It's also a love letter to everything Italian, including food, art, literature, gestures. I took my time reading over the Italian words, pronouncing them in my head or enthusiastically outloud, scarin
More...
Nov 09, 2009
Gary
rated it: 
I got interested in Italy primarily because of ancient Rome, but now I've become more interested in modern Italy and Italian. Some of this comes from working with Professor Madison Sowell (recently retired professor of Italian at BYU). I picked this book up at the bookstore at MIT. It was a lot of fun to read--just what I hoped for. It's an exploration of the history and development of the Italian language for the general reader. A little knowledge of Italian helps, but it isn't necessary. The a
More...
Jan 03, 2012
Sarah Bringhurst
rated it:
I certainly enjoyed reading this book, since I'm as weak in the knees over the Italian language as Hales. However, this is more of a light cultural history of Italy than the "love affair with Italian" of the subtitle. She does attempt to tie the narrative together with little incidents in her quest to speak Italian, but much of it just comes off as bragging about how much time she's spent on her many Italian vacations. Hales' prose is also sometimes a trifle too sexual for good taste (
More...
Sep 04, 2011
Molly
rated it:
This book was a perfect overview of the emergence of modern Italian language. It's conversational and fun, but covers a broad swath: reaching back to Latin and the Roman Empire, scrolling through Italians who shaped the modern language - Petrarch, Dante, Boccaccio - with quick tours of how Italian food, film, love and art shaped the language. It was a great companion for a recent holiday in Rome. The discussion of Italian presenting a "bella figura" and the concept of grace (grazia)
More...
Sep 09, 2009
John
rated it:
I chuckled on Page 2. On Page 14, I laughed out loud. It's not a funny book per se, but it certainly has its moments.
"La Bella Lingua" is as charming, quirky and vibrant as the Italian language itself.
Here are some samples:
"Business can remain unfinished a long time in Italy. A researcher tells of requesting a book from the catalog of the Vatican Library only to receive a notice stating, 'Missing since 1530.'" (Page 28)
"On our first vi More...
"La Bella Lingua" is as charming, quirky and vibrant as the Italian language itself.
Here are some samples:
"Business can remain unfinished a long time in Italy. A researcher tells of requesting a book from the catalog of the Vatican Library only to receive a notice stating, 'Missing since 1530.'" (Page 28)
"On our first vi More...
0 comments
like
(2 people liked it)
Jun 01, 2011
Farah
rated it:
I've never had a particular penchant for Dante or Petrarch or Boccacio but after flinging myself into this beauty, I might give the Divine Comedy or Decameron the old college try. I must admit that at times La Bella becomes tiring in its relentless praises of Italy and the Italian language and it would be nice if the language and the culture was given a more balanced appraisal. Regardless, reading Hales is still a constructive way to pass the time. And who knows? With her peppering of Italian
More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Sep 15, 2011
Brooke
rated it:
Enjoyed this book and I think I learned at least 5 new Italian words or phrases per page! The author helps translate some of the hardest ideas and themes of the Italian language and lifestyle. Love the chapter about Dante and his importance to Italians and the language. Wasn't really into the chapter on opera, but I'm not really a fan of opera in general so that doesn't help. Some parts get a little too detailed and mention too many significant people in a genre, making it confusing to figure ou
More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
May 12, 2009
Michelle
rated it:
I flew through this book in a weekend, and I plan on reading it again.
For anyone who has been enchanted by the always beautiful, often frustrating Italian language and tried to grasp its basics as well as its intricacies, Dianne’s tales will not only ring true but also comfort you.
From obscure word etymologies to entertaining anecdotes, La Bella Lingua will keep you turning pages, nodding along in agreement, laughing, and even learning–I picked up quite a few new words my More...
For anyone who has been enchanted by the always beautiful, often frustrating Italian language and tried to grasp its basics as well as its intricacies, Dianne’s tales will not only ring true but also comfort you.
From obscure word etymologies to entertaining anecdotes, La Bella Lingua will keep you turning pages, nodding along in agreement, laughing, and even learning–I picked up quite a few new words my More...
0 comments
like
(3 people liked it)
Aug 08, 2011
Jim
rated it:
This book took me by surprise as I expected to like it more than I did. In it she explores Italian life and culture from a number of different angles - the evolution of the language, art, culture music, film. But the overriding impression I get is how satisfied with herself she is. thus, I struggled to finish this book rather than add it to the growing list of books that I am reading when I don't have anything else at hand.
I've enjoyed this time of book in the past, most recently, Li More...
I've enjoyed this time of book in the past, most recently, Li More...
Jul 10, 2011
Ellie
rated it:
When I first glanced at Dianne Hales's book, in which she tells the story of how she fell in love with Italian and her adventures in the process of learning it, I saw another flower in the Garden of Italian Delight. There are so many other books with the personal stories of American women who fall in love with Italy and go there to actually make their declaration of love, starting with the esteemed Under the Tuscan Sun (about buying a house in Italy) to the currently popular Eat, Pray, Love (abo
More...
Jun 09, 2011
Elizabeth
rated it: 
The author's love for Italian is almost off-putting in its intensity. While she has some interesting stories about Italy and the development of the language, she also retails stories as truth that have been disproved, or at least disputed, without comment. And the detail of the language descends into long pages of trivia at times. It also rankled slightly that her knowledge of Italian is clearly much richer than her understanding of English and of language in general, so that she disparages t
More...
Mar 15, 2011
Susanne
rated it:
If I had not spent a year and a half in Italy, I would not have found this book very interesting. It was humorous sometimes for me because I am familiar "Italian quirkiness" and the beautiful Italian language, but it was a little hard to follow her train of thought at times. Also, I believe the author is obsessed w/sex and anything having to do w/it, as most poets/author's quotes she used were somewhat suggestive, if not directly of an erotic nature (body parts, etc). Weird. I woul
More...
Jun 09, 2009
Lori
rated it:
This is unlike many American-living-abroad tales. Rather than write about herself, the author writes of her innamorato. She confesses she has fallen "madly, gladly, giddily in love with the world's most luscious language." She invites you along as she describes her immersion in Italy and the Italian lifestyle. She also shares everything she loves about the peninsula's art, history, cinema, gastronomy, and literature. The reader becomes as enchanted as she is.
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Dec 29, 2011
Sarah
rated it:
After hearing about "La Bella Lingua" by someone who was learning the Italian language, I expected to love this book. For me, the bright spots were in all the little stories about Italy, the culture, the language, and the history. The writing and construction was sort of hectic to me, and the author's random personal anecdotes didn't connect well enough with what she was trying to tell. That being said, if you have any interest in Italy and have spent time learning Italian then you wil
More...
Mar 02, 2011
Donna Jo
rated it:
This is like an extended love letter to the Italian language. It's about what makes it such an amazing language, how it has shaped Italian history and culture, and why the author loves it so much.
It makes me eager to visit Italy, even with only my three words of Italian which I know I'll forget as soon as I'm expected to say anything. Hmmm, maybe by this summer I will have learned four words.
It makes me eager to visit Italy, even with only my three words of Italian which I know I'll forget as soon as I'm expected to say anything. Hmmm, maybe by this summer I will have learned four words.
Jun 13, 2011
John
rated it: 
I'd give this book one and a half stars if I could - I didn't hate it, but it was somewhat of a waste of time. As advertised, it's a personal account of Dianne Hales's love for Italian. The trouble is that personal accounts are really boring, and this one is no different. She gives a shallow history of Italian, for which I am grateful, but it's all fluffy and forgettable.
Aug 15, 2011
I've been learning Italian for the past several years so I quite enjoyed this book, even though I found bits here and there to be tedious. If you don't have a strong interest in the language, you may find it to be quite tedious. It's a fairly light read. I think of it a "cheerleader" type book for those who are learning Italian.
Sep 03, 2011
Mooch
rated it:
I read this book during my vacation in the Italian south. Ms Hales' light-hearted romp through the history of Italian language and culture certainly added to my enjoyment of being there. I am an Italiophile anyhow so a lot of the aspects she talkes about - food and art in particular - weren't especially new to me. However, I don't mind reading about Italian art again and again. Not at all!
I would consider this book a great primer for all things Italian. If you like Italy but haven't given More...
I would consider this book a great primer for all things Italian. If you like Italy but haven't given More...
Sep 02, 2011
Brielle
rated it:
So great! I think languages and the history of their development is fascinating, Hales tells the story of Italian through the great achievements in art, literature, history, film, and food.
On a side note, if you've read Sarah Dunant's books "The Birth of Venus," etc., "La Bella Lingua" offers some of the same history only without the fiction.
On a side note, if you've read Sarah Dunant's books "The Birth of Venus," etc., "La Bella Lingua" offers some of the same history only without the fiction.
Aug 13, 2009
Caroline
rated it:
This is a charming history of the Italian language and culture; the author includes stories on literature, word origins, history, and food. How can you not love a language where the polite form of "you" treats everyone like a princess, and vulgarities include a reference to Helen of Troy?
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Sep 23, 2010
Gabigabs
rated it:
As a student of Italian Language and a traveler hoping to visit Italy in next year or so, I picked up this book with hope to learn a little bit more in depth about the country's history, traditions, and perhaps pick up a useful phrase here and there.
I was not disappointed. The book was well written - it's interesting, educational, yet funny, especially during parts when the author describes her first attempt and mishaps in Italian conversation.
I would recommend it to ev More...
I was not disappointed. The book was well written - it's interesting, educational, yet funny, especially during parts when the author describes her first attempt and mishaps in Italian conversation.
I would recommend it to ev More...
Apr 28, 2010
Lisa
rated it:
Oh, this could be a five star in my opinion. The author is so in love with the Italian culture and it shows - undiscovered facts, ideas, art, and data abound. Deeply enjoyed this one.
Mar 23, 2010
Lisa
rated it:
I thought this would be an amusing memoir of learning Italian, a travelogue and/or an analysis of the language and it's beauty. While it is a bit of all of the above, it was mostly just a "lite" & superficial narrative of Italy's history, literature, art, film and music. The chapter on profanity in the Italian language was pretty amusing, though, and almost made up for the disappontment of the earlier chapters.
Jun 29, 2010
Lesley
rated it:
The book was interesting and had some humorous moments, but it started to feel more like a textbook and less like the lighthearted linguistic memoir I had hoped for. If you are looking for a history of the Italian language, this is a book for you.
Nov 11, 2009
Leslie
rated it:
Lots of wonderful Italian language and culture information but a bit jealousy inducing in regards to all her trips.
Oct 09, 2010
Ann Marie
rated it:
A fun tour de force of the Italian language, encompassing Dante, Italian unification, opera, food, cursing, and more. I enjoyed meeting the author unexpectedly while volunteering at a gala at the Italian Cultural Institute in SF. I told her I'd been reading her book on Bart just an hour before. She got a kick out of it and was very gracious.
May 19, 2011
We get it, you like Italian, but I'm bored and it not fun reading a book where every couple pages a few phrases I don't know are thrown in, presumably for the sake of throwing them. Non so se continui a leggere ...
