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Italy Through the Rear-View Mirror: Finding Connection and Belonging
Italy Through the Rear-View Mirror weaves together heart-warming and humorous stories focused on characteristic aspects of Italian culture-its traditions and rituals, its food, and of course its people and their engaging approach to 'living life in the piazza'. But, as we discover, these are just the backdrop for a more compelling narrative.
While pursuing her insatiable passion for Italy, travelling to all twenty regions over fifteen years, Italy and its inhabitants helped Susan discover the real reason behind a growing attachment to this sun-drenched country. Beneath the obvious beauty and intriguing diversity that we learn about, she knew there was something deeper building her sense of connection to a country she otherwise had no connection with. A rear-view mirror perspective opened Susan's eyes to the underlying role of every-day aspects of Italian life in fostering those connections-the ties that were binding it all together for her, and her to it.
Travel was the vehicle and Italy the teacher, helping to illuminate how we are all wired for connection, how we crave a sense of belonging, and how simple human encounters can feed our soul. Italy Through the Rear-View Mirror inspires us to reflect on our own journey, whether it involves travel or not, and in the process learn about our connection to this global community we call humanity. In fragile times, when our capacity to travel may be constrained and our ability to connect feels distant, the message is even more relevant.
While pursuing her insatiable passion for Italy, travelling to all twenty regions over fifteen years, Italy and its inhabitants helped Susan discover the real reason behind a growing attachment to this sun-drenched country. Beneath the obvious beauty and intriguing diversity that we learn about, she knew there was something deeper building her sense of connection to a country she otherwise had no connection with. A rear-view mirror perspective opened Susan's eyes to the underlying role of every-day aspects of Italian life in fostering those connections-the ties that were binding it all together for her, and her to it.
Travel was the vehicle and Italy the teacher, helping to illuminate how we are all wired for connection, how we crave a sense of belonging, and how simple human encounters can feed our soul. Italy Through the Rear-View Mirror inspires us to reflect on our own journey, whether it involves travel or not, and in the process learn about our connection to this global community we call humanity. In fragile times, when our capacity to travel may be constrained and our ability to connect feels distant, the message is even more relevant.
252 pages, Paperback
Published May 17, 2021
About the author
Susan J. Bocock
1 book15 followersI'm a retired lawyer, a former yoga teacher, and a sports enthusiast who loves to travel, read, write, and repeat. I've had a passion for Italy since I first met Italians on the soccer pitch many years ago, and through Italian language classes and annual trips to Italy, that fascination turned into a full-fledged love affair with the country and enduring friendships with people I met along the way.
My recent travel memoir, Italy Through the Rear-View Mirror, was motivated by my extended travels through the 20 regions of Italy over a 15-year span. My legal background fed my inquiring mind, as did my passion for travel, which I blogged about for several years.
The book weaves together relatable, heart-warming, and humorous stories focused on characteristic aspects of Italian culture--its traditions and rituals, its food, and of course its people and their engaging approach to 'living life in the piazza'. But, as you will discover, these are just the backdrop for an even more compelling narrative. Travel was the vehicle and Italy the teacher, helping to illuminate how we are all wired for connection, how we crave a sense of belonging, and how simple human encounters can feed our soul.
I live in Alberta, Canada with my husband, but am always looking for ways to spend more time in Italy. All suggestions welcome!
My recent travel memoir, Italy Through the Rear-View Mirror, was motivated by my extended travels through the 20 regions of Italy over a 15-year span. My legal background fed my inquiring mind, as did my passion for travel, which I blogged about for several years.
The book weaves together relatable, heart-warming, and humorous stories focused on characteristic aspects of Italian culture--its traditions and rituals, its food, and of course its people and their engaging approach to 'living life in the piazza'. But, as you will discover, these are just the backdrop for an even more compelling narrative. Travel was the vehicle and Italy the teacher, helping to illuminate how we are all wired for connection, how we crave a sense of belonging, and how simple human encounters can feed our soul.
I live in Alberta, Canada with my husband, but am always looking for ways to spend more time in Italy. All suggestions welcome!
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
May 20, 2021
What can I say: Susan's "Italy Through the Rear-View Mirror" IS Italy!
If you are looking for an ordinary travel book, something in the Lonely Planet's style and the likes, well, that is not it. If what you want is a book to start feeling the taste and the flavor of a country, its people, its life and traditions, its cultures and differences...LOOK NO FURTHER, YOU GOT IT!
I am Italian, I am a traveler, I write about travels and travelers: reading through Susan's pages was like looking at myself in a mirror.
I really thank Susan for her book, and for the love and passion for Italy that comes clear out of every word, every page.
If you are looking for an ordinary travel book, something in the Lonely Planet's style and the likes, well, that is not it. If what you want is a book to start feeling the taste and the flavor of a country, its people, its life and traditions, its cultures and differences...LOOK NO FURTHER, YOU GOT IT!
I am Italian, I am a traveler, I write about travels and travelers: reading through Susan's pages was like looking at myself in a mirror.
I really thank Susan for her book, and for the love and passion for Italy that comes clear out of every word, every page.
May 18, 2021
Made me want to visit every region of Italy. An educational piece as well as an honest reflection on the effect Italy had in the author. A must read for all.
July 29, 2021
Italy Through The Rear-View Mirror: Finding Connection and Belonging is a very enjoyable read.
The book is about the author’s experiences while pursuing her dream of travelling through all Italy’s 20 regions and finding sense of connection and belonging. I found the book entertaining, some of the stories had me laughing out loud. The book is informative. It includes information on locations visited which are often off the beaten path and includes some of the area’s history. I found this book and the way Susan lives her life to be very inspiring. It has inspired me to work harder at following my dreams and living a richer, fuller life.
The book is about the author’s experiences while pursuing her dream of travelling through all Italy’s 20 regions and finding sense of connection and belonging. I found the book entertaining, some of the stories had me laughing out loud. The book is informative. It includes information on locations visited which are often off the beaten path and includes some of the area’s history. I found this book and the way Susan lives her life to be very inspiring. It has inspired me to work harder at following my dreams and living a richer, fuller life.
June 13, 2021
A wonderfully written guide about Italy. I've visited Italy many times and I've seen a lot. The facts in the book are very accurate. I enjoyed it and I recommend it to everyone who want to "feel" and to "taste" Italy.
June 14, 2021
Italy Through the Rear-View Mirror: Finding Connection and Belonging
by Susan J Bocock is a fantastic guide that will make you feel as if you're in Italy with the author. Bravo, Susan, you passion for Italy is felt through the pages and affects your readers.
by Susan J Bocock is a fantastic guide that will make you feel as if you're in Italy with the author. Bravo, Susan, you passion for Italy is felt through the pages and affects your readers.
June 15, 2021
I've never been in Italy.... well, now I want to go. I'm very interested in other countries' cultures and traditions and this book has more informaiton than I imagined. It is a fascinating read but it has one flaw- you'll have to start saving for your next trip to Italy!
December 8, 2021
I’m so excited and proud of the way this book turned out. It’s a travel memoir of sorts, and you will certainly read about my experiences across the 20 regions of Italy over the span of 15 years. But the focus is on the sense of community and connection and belonging that kept drawing me back to Italy year after year. I didn't know it at the time, but through the ‘rear-view mirror’ it became very apparent that this was the compelling attraction, beyond Italy’s obvious beauty and amazing food. Travel was the vehicle and Italy the teacher that helped illuminate how deeply we are all wired for connected, how we crave a sense of belonging, and how simple human encounters can feed our soul. The message is more relevant than ever in these fragile times, when our capacity to travel, and even to connect, has been put on notice.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews