Christmas Delivery Guaranteed 🚚
Christmas Gift Guide Gift Guide
Christmas Delivery Delivery
Store Hours Store Hours
Gift Cards Gift Cards

Order Today & Win a Golden Bookmark! ✨

Italian Life

A Modern Fable of Loyalty and Betrayal
By Tim Parks
0.0 (0 reviews)
3.75 goodreads logo

Ratings/reviews counts are updated frequently.

Check link for latest rating. ( 272 ratings, 46 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Italian Life by Tim Parks delves into the complexities of the Italian academic system and its societal implications. Through a blend of narrative and data, the author explores the intricate relationship between personal freedom, bureaucracy, and cultural norms in Italy. As Parks navigates the challenges faced by those entangled in academia, he provides a compelling insight into Italian culture and its myriad influences on everyday life.
Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
TEMPORARILY OUT OF STOCK Please add to wishlist to be notified when back in stock

Sorry, we're currently out of stock of Italian Life. Please add to your Wishlist and we'll send you an email as soon as it's back in stock.

Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you're fascinated by the intricacies of Italian culture and the everyday elements of life in Italy. It offers insightful observations about the vibrant society, deep history, and scientific landscapes that shape Italian life, enriched by the author's personal experiences and anecdotes. This exploration is ideal for those who appreciate a blend of cultural commentary and the wonders of the natural world.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

Italian Life

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

How does Italy actually work? The bestselling writer on Italian culture sets out to answer this question, and the results are often surprising.

Italian Life by Tim Parks offers detailed cultural observation, witty yet eagle-eyed, of what makes Italians so Italian. As The Times notes, "Parks... offers detailed cultural observation, witty yet eagle-eyed, of what makes Italians so Italian."

When Valeria travels from hot, dusty Basilicata to begin her studies in a northern university town, she has little idea of the kind of education she will find there. Italian Life is her story, and that of the students and professors around her—a story of power and corruption, influence and exclusion, and the workings of a society where your connections are everything.

Written with flair and insight, Italian Life joins Tim Parks' bestselling books about his beloved and paradoxical adopted country. It is a gripping, entertaining, behind-the-scenes account of how Italy actually happens, and the ways it can surprise those who know it inside out.

A satisfyingly truthful, entertaining, and provocative comedy, according to the Daily Telegraph.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Italian Life by Tim Parks has received praise for its insightful cultural observations, with reviewers highlighting Parks' ability to capture the essence of Italian society with wit and detail. Critics commend his exploration of Italian universities as a microcosm of the broader societal dynamics, with themes of favouritism and nepotism carefully depicted. The narrative is described as both entertaining and truthful, providing an engaging look at Italy's unique character and traditions.

Book Hero reading reviews

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781529112580

Publisher: Vintage Publishing

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 29 July 2021

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Vintage

Audience: General / adult, Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 23.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 258g

Pages: 368

Collections

Education & Reference History & Military Non-Fiction Penguin Books Science & Nature Tim Parks

About the Author

Born in Manchester, Tim Parks grew up in London and studied at Cambridge and Harvard. He lives in Milan. Parks is the acclaimed author of novels, non-fiction and essays, including Europa, A Season with Verona, Teach Us to Sit Still, Italian Ways and Italian Life. He has been shortlisted for the Booker Prize and has won many awards for both his work in English and his translations from the Italian, which include works by Alberto Moravia, Italo Calvino, Roberto Calasso, Antonio Tabucchi and Niccol Machiavelli.

Also by Tim Parks

View all

More from Science & Nature

View all

Why buy from us?

Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!

Service & Delivery

Service & Delivery

Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 80,000 books and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.

Auckland Bookstore

Auckland Bookstore

We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.

Our Gifting Service

Our Gifting Service

Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.