Fleeting Rome: In Search of la Dolce Vita

by Carlo Levi

Only a renaissance man could have described this glorious city in its heyday. And only Carlo Levi, writer, painter, politician and one of the last century's most celebrated talents, could depict Rome at the height of its optimism and vitality after World War II. In Fleeting Rome, the era of post war 'La Dolce Vita' is brought magnificently to life in the daily bustle of Rome's street traders, housewives and students at work and play, the colourful festivities of Ferragosto and San Giovanni, the little theatre of Pulcinella al Pincio; all vibrant sights and sounds of this ancient, yet vital city.

Genres: Italy, Travel, Italian Literature, History, Nonfiction

Hardcover

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Carlo Levi was an Italian-Jewish painter, writer, activist, anti-fascist, and doctor.
He is best known for his book, "Cristo si è fermato a Eboli" (Christ Stopped at Eboli), published in 1945; a memoir of his time spent in exile in Lucania, Italy, after being arrested in connection with his political activism. In 1979, the book became the basis of a movie of the same name, directed by Francesco Rosi. Lucania, now called Basilicata, is historically one of the poorest and most backward regions of the impoverished Italian south. Levi's lucid, non-ideological and sympathetic description of the daily hardships experienced by the local peasants helped to propel the "Problem of the South" into national discourse after the end of the World War II.

Reviews

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book...one thought leading to another. Sometimes, like Proust, memories released by a place or a season. A beautifully drawn portrait of the time and the city.

[Amanda Witt · Rating 5 out of 5]

33 vignette style chapters describe Rome from 1945 to the 1960's, capturing the slow movements of daily life, the things we may not notice.

[James Walsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

At times poetic in nature and almost a love letter to Rome. A book you could dip in and out of so short are it’s chapters. The characters are fleeting but as memorable of those described in Christ Stopped at Eboli. A book that’s hard to find translated into the English, but worth tracking down if like me you aren’t fluent in Italian.

[Gilly Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

The writing style of Carlo Levi is beautiful. Flowery and totally paints a picture in your mind.
However this book is made up of lots of short newspaper columns and it makes hard to read as a book

If you leave it on the coffee table and read an article every day would be perfect.

[Tim Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

After all, what does one deed or another matter, between us? We shared a destiny.

[Aidan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Want to go to Rome, I do. Carlo is a little bit classist, but also not, a little bit wordy, but in good ways. I likey. A spot of fun, easy reading. Nice observations.