Italian Lessons: Fifty Things We Know About Life Now

by Beppe Severgnini

One-of-a-kind timeless lessons for handling challenges and living with joy, the Italian way—“with unparalleled insight and brilliant wit, Severgnini’s book not only transports us to Italy but deep into the Italian mind and spirit" (Stanley Tucci, host of Searching for Italy ).

Is there an Italian way to deal with life? Can we all learn something from the Italians?

Italy often arouses in Americans a unique mix of attraction and bafflement, moderate disapproval and incredible allure. From the Italians' love of poetry to an innate desire to socialize to the regional differences between the north and the south, Beppe Severgnini, who has dedicated his career to the meticulous observation of his compatriots, embarks on an enthralling quest to identify a core Italian identity and explore how that identity has evolved since the global pandemic.

Told with the warmth and humor of a longtime friend, Severgnini touches upon patience, endurance, and wisdom, and offers a one-of-a-kind set of timeless lessons for overcoming trials, the Italian way.

Genres: Italy, Travel, History, Essays, Nonfiction

224 pages, Paperback

Published May 3, 2022

About the author

Giuseppe "Beppe" Severgnini (born December 26, 1956) is an Italian journalist, writer and columnist.

Reviews

[Tyler]

DNF at 8%. I wish I could have given this book more of a chance, but I’m just so over books that get political with no warning about it in the description, especially a book about Italy getting political about the U.S. and the U.K.

Trump is mentioned in this book 14 times. He’s already been mentioned 4 times at 8% of the way through… Brexit is mentioned 5 times.

COVID is mentioned 33 times and the word “pandemic” is used 40 times.

While the description mentions that this book is about how the Italian identity has evolved since the pandemic, I suspect this book is going to be about nothing BUT the pandemic and politics, so I’m going to put it down.

Thank you NetGalley and Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group for the ARC.

[John · Rating 1 out of 5]

I hardly ever buy a book without first knowing something about the author ahead of time. And rarely do I buy a book before reading the reviews. I happened to be walking by la Feltrinelli in Repubblica in Rome, and needing a book to read, I bought this one - breaking the two aforementioned rules. Big mistake. First of all, even though this author is a legend in his own mind, I never heard of him. And even though I am only 25% finished, I wish I still never heard of him. Politics, politics, politics. The people he doesn't like are terrible and the terrible people he does like are God's gift to the world and by coincidence that would include Beppe Severgnini. Typical 'journalist' from the New York Times or wherever he works.

Very superficial book written by a very superficial person. I will finish this book but hopefully in two days I can move on to something worthy of my time. As I am writing this I am thinking of another terrible book I read recently called Out of Egypt by Andre Anciman. It was no coincidence that Severgnini referenced Anciman and this book resembles Anciman's.

Edit: So this B league journalist lays off the politics for a few chapters making this book bearable to read. Then in the chapter on Italian-Americans, he names some names and when he gets to Dr. Fauci he describes him as the person who kept Trump from making things worse. This is the kind of book this is and the kind of writer this author is. Notice he will never talk about the mess DiBlasio made of New York or the way Cuomo stole $5,000,000 from New York taxpayers for a fraudulent book or that he sent nursing home patients to their deaths. Oh no. Not this superstar. Trump, Trump, Trump in a book about Italians, mind you.

Now Joseph McCarthy and he tripped over himself to say Republican (got that? - Republican) senator.

'..the very worst aspects of the far right everywhere.' pg. 110.
Look out Mr. Severgnini, the bogey man is coming to get you. Go run and hide behind your mother's leg.

"This is how the human soul operates: if we like someone, we tend to forgive a great deal from them, but if we don't like them, we hold them to account for every slightest fault." pgs. 116-117. Congratulations, Mr. Severgnini, you recognize yourself.

Now apparently the author believes the New York Times is a news provider. pg. 162. The New York Times may be a provider of something but it isn't news.

The author seems to think there is always right-wing extremism but he never writes the words left-wing extremism. pg. 171
Oh, well. It just mustn't exist. pg. 171

"Berlusconi compared to Trump is Winston Churchill." pg. 176. The schtick is really getting old. Like reading a book by a Bible thumper who writes, 'can you believe these people don't believe the word of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is IN THE BIBLE.'

"Trump has harassed women far too young for his age,". pg. 177. No mention whatsoever of Cuomo having to resign for sexual harassment (while governor) of numerous young accusers. No mention of Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky. This 'journalist' is really terrible. And since he is going back to McCarthy why not mention JFK and his issues? Is this a serious book by a serious author?

My God I hate this book. If I knew I would be reading MSNBC, CNN, NPR, The Washington Post and the New York Times and DNC Talking Points all wrapped up in one, I'd have never wasted 16.90 Euros, or more importantly, my time on this trash. Mr. Severgnini there must have been something in the water in Cremona or your room did not have enough oxygen or maybe you were run over by that tractor in Lombardy as a child because you really are a terrible writer. Luckily you will always have a home at the New York Times of the world.

Update: I threw this book in the trash outside my apartment. My apartment feels fresher already.

[Crystal King · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beppe Severgnini's Italian Lessons is a delightful exploration of Italian culture, values, and the many differences between Italians and Americans. With a blend of humor and insight, Severgnini tackles topics ranging from family dynamics to politics to the importance of food and wine. Severgnini's writing is full of personal anecdotes which illustrate the themes he touches on. He also does an excellent job of weaving in historical and cultural context for the reader, making it easier to understand why certain values or customs are important to Italians. A fun read for a lover of Italians and for Italians trying to understand the complexities of life in the U.S.

[Evelyn Petschek · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars rounded up. A collection of short essays of various aspects of Italian life and culture, seen through post-covid eyes. An interesting read in preparing to travel to Italy. Nice audio narration.

[Gail · Rating 1 out of 5]

I expected a lovely treatise on Italian life, and the first thing the author talks about is the pandemic and getting rid of Trump. Didn’t enjoy the political preaching right out of the gate!

[Melissa Dee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beppe Severgnini is back with a wide-ranging look at Italians and the essential Italian character as seen through a post-Covid lens. While I am very wary of generalizations (and Severgnini addresses this very point), this was an interesting and illuminating group of short essays that deal with everything from the current state of Rome and Milan to the future of the Italian small grocer. Severgnini has traveled and taught widely, so he is hyper-aware of the ways in which the world views Italy. His opinions on the subject are well worth the read for a reflective italophile.

[Paula · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars out of 5

Italian Lessons by Beppe Severgnini was just an okay read. It tried to show readers the Italian way of doing things. There were interesting insights and stories into the Italian culture and people and the time during the pandemic. However, it ended abruptly. I thought it would have more of a wrap-up.

#ItalianLessons #NetGalley

[Lynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having read La Bella Figure by Signor Severgnini, I assumed this one would be equally illuminating but not illuminating. I was right.

Focusing on Italy as it emerged from the pandemic and as it has dealt with a similar political landscape as the U.S., for similar reasons, the author painted a picture of the Italian way of seeing things and how, very much like the U.S., they are poised to either clean up their act and straighten up the mess, or lose their democracy and everything they hold dear about their country.

Broken down into 50 essays that cover the aspects of Italian living, thinking and doing, he offers glimpses into what makes Italy tick.

My favorite chapter is 35. Because we know how to think with our hands and work with our thoughts."

These lines provoked thought:
"Good Italian workers think before taking action. If they disagree, they say so."
"I have always been struck by the Italian pride - in many cases, joy - in performing one's profession precisely and well; thinking up an artwork or an object one day and fabricating, manufacturing, or simply shaping it the next day."
"Use your brain, not your hammer! Which is to say: first think it through, then pick up your tools."

Those resonated with me because Italy has retained a reverence for craft in spite of its enormous contributions to industrialism. If you examine the number of manufactured objects deemed worthy of inclusion in the Museum of Modern Art, and note their country of origin, you will find Italy represented time and again. Because good design should be within reach of everyone, not just a monied elite.

The art of paper marbling was nearly lost until a few Italians put in the time and effort to bring it back as an art form. As a craft, the making of marbled paper is the purview of highly skilled hands. As an art form, it is admired and when it is used in a hand made book, drives the cost up. Because craftsmanship doesn't come cheap. You aren't just paying for materials. You are paying for years and years of skills honed by thinking it through, and then picking up the tools.

In some regards, Signor Severgnini has zeroed in on and distilled the most frightening of the concerns facing the American people: the specter of autocracy and loss of democracy. Indeed, he hears the same laments of Italians who cannot accept that immigration is necessary because they do not have the labor force required to keep the country running.

All in all, a good read.

Full disclosure: I am of Italian heritage, so there is some bias, but only in the sense that his books often explain me to myself!

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved parts of this book so much but other parts were mired in political viewpoints without a lot of explanation and covid examples and detracted from the book’s overall beauty. It took me awhile to get into this book, and I had to make myself keep coming back to read more at first. The first few chapters were so covid heavy and seemed like vast generalizations that, while applies to the Italians, could also apply to many others. However, about 1/4 of the way into the book, the author moves away from covid examples and begins to use stories from earlier in his life or the lives of those he knows and loves, and that is where the beauty of this book lies. Once I hit that portion of the book, I could not put it down. I began this book a week before traveling to Italy, and I finished it on the plane coming home. By the end of the book, I walked away with a soft spot in my heart for the author, the stories he told, and the people he shared. The heart of Italy that I’d seen on my 2.5 weeks visiting was reenforced by the author’s words from the majority of the book.

[Desiree · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although there are a couple of nice articles in the book, this is definitely not going to be my favourite book of the year. The premise was certainly interesting: stories about Italy and Italians during the COVID pandemic giving a unique insight into the Italian mind and spirit. I must say that some of the stories were very recognizable but for me the book fell short of it's promise however.
Certainly, the book contains a couple of very interesting story's but there were also parts I found rather tedious and after a while I found myself starting to skip certain chapters (there are 50 in all) bases on the first paragraph because they just couldn't hold my attention.
Somehow the stories also lacked the promised Severgnini wit.

I guess I will stick to the occasional article in the corriere della sera.

3 stars for the articles I enjoyed.
I want to thank Netgalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed here are my own.

[SHIRLEY · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book of short essays provided insight into the heart and soul of Italy and Italians. The author described the Italian culture and values that make up the Italian way of life. I could see glimpses of my grandparents and parents in the descriptions of Italians in general - why they made the decision that they and how they instilled Italian values into me and my brothers.
Yes, the pandemic changed Italy and the world, but I think that the author started out describing the impact of the pandemic on Italy, but got off on a political tangent which ruined the last half of the book for me.
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher and am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Kayleigh Tierson · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is the first time I’ve given a book on here one star. I couldn’t finish it. I got 47% through it and tried so hard, but there are better books I could be reading.

I expected so much more out of this than pretentious writing about the pandemic and everything Italy did right while other countries blundered. I lost my best friend to COVID, and it’s not lost on me that my country could have done better. I didn’t need to constantly read about it.

I was hoping this book would be an interesting insight to Italian life and culture. This is what I get for not reading the back cover. (I was trying to do one of those “don’t judge a book by its covers” challenge).

If you’re into politics and current events, maybe you’ll like this one. I was not a fan.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for providing me with a digital ARC of this book. This was written during the pandemic and it’s effect on Italy and the Italians is a large part of this book. This book gives the reader insight into the Italian approach to life and offers lessons on dealing with life through both the good and not so good times. The book is composed of essays dealing with various topics. The cover is attractive and definitely catches the eye of the reader. I found this book very interesting and illuminating. Definitely recommend for those interested in learning more about the Italian culture and people.

[Jack · Rating 2 out of 5]

Picked this up in Jefferson Market library ahead of my trip to Italy fo get in the mood. Read it while there and finished it the day I returned. While there were some fun anecdotes and items scattered throughout, on the whole it read like a boring old man past his prime droning on about how things should be. Unbelievably arrogant and un self aware. It reminded me of a lazy academic who studied a lot 30-50 years ago and is just coasting off their knowledge. I asked a few Italians there what they thought of the author and they rolled their eyes. Said he was the self proclaimed voice of Italy, which checks out. Ciao!!

[Emma Russell · Rating 3 out of 5]

We have so much to learn from the Italians, their ease at dealing with life and 'dolce vita' approach. This collection of witty essays explores the Italian take on the post-Covid world. I admired the warmth of his tone and the delivery, giving you a broad approach to Italian life without delivering too many stereotypical views. Severgnini does tend to pound out political viewpoints, and this tended to ground the experience and take the fun out of the book. However, it is a great book for any Italophile.

Many Thanks to NetGalley for the copy.

[Anas Alsayed · Rating 1 out of 5]

I got this book from a neighbor to read while traveling through Italy. I haven't heard about the author before and neither did I read any review. After a couple of chapters, I started noticing the book getting more and more political which left me disappointed because the description of the book doesn't mention anything about politics. I managed to read it all because it was the only book I had with me and I, unfortunately, did not enjoy it.

[Michael Kuhl · Rating 2 out of 5]

I learned a lot from this book about Modern Italy, how both beautiful and frustrating it is. I felt this book could have been much shorter and included many irrelevant personal stories that failed to apply to a larger Italian narrative. Wish I could give more stars because there were many insightful chapters, but not enough to make the read worth it.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A series of fifty very short essays about what Italians can teach us about life, food, beliefs, and responses to the pandemic. I did not love this book as much as I expected, but it was still an enjoyable read and because each of the essays is self-contained, can be picked up and read as time and interest permit. #ItalianLessons #NetGalley

[Mary Allegretta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leggendo questo libro è stato come bere una bottiglia di vino con un vecchio parente saggio.

Reading this book was like enjoying a bottle of wine with a wise old relative. While it seemed to get a bit winded at times, I enjoyed its wisdom on the whole, and many of the “lessons” will stay with me for years to come.

[Gina · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was interesting to read about how the Covid-19 pandemic changed Italy, and now that 5 years have passed, it's all the more interesting to see how the unity has subsided and the factions have further divided -- both in Italy and throughout the world.

At times the essays were boring, self-indulgent, or both, but overall, I enjoyed the essays.

[Chrome · Rating 4 out of 5]

A funny little book - full of warmth and life. Post pandemic Italy seems like a very inviting place
- shameless bragging about how wonderful Italians are - I loved it. I'm packing for my flight to
Milan

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to enjoy this book because I liked his other ones. I rarely put books on my "abandoned books" shelf, so I ended up just skimming some chapters. I may try to read it cover to cover at a future date.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book. The author definitely has some strong opinions.

[Keith Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Musings on the Covid pandemic and how the Italian people responded to the emergency. Some of the columns are insightful, some are just trite. Not sure that it works as a collection.

[Lb · Rating 4 out of 5]

DNF again. Tried to get through this last year. But then realized it was primarily about Italians after Covid. No interest in reliving that era again.

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beppe Severgnini, the self-appointed spokesman for Italy, shares fifty things he finds to be true about Italy and its people.

[N.J. Danatangelo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had tried and failed to read some of his previous works for reasons that escape me. This time, however, I found the vignette style perfectly suited to his prose. Any book on Italy automatically earns three stars from me, but I found this one particularly pleasurable, warranting an extra star.