What is passion according to you?? Is it an over-used word?? Passion is a term that can have several meanings, one could be desire or lust and the other could be following something you truly love. Dianne Hales, the author of the famous book “La Bella Lingua“, penned down her understanding of passion to share the many stories of Italians and their passion. In her book “La Passione”, the author explains how Italy has made a mark on the world. Here’s a short review of her book “La Passione: How Italy Seduced the World”.
Review of La Passione: How Italy Seduced the World
A Book on Italian Passion
Dianne Hales’ book “La Passione” is a quite simply a book on Italian passion that all Italophiles will appreciate. The author captures the true spirit of the magical country and describes how “La Passione” drives the country.
Dianne Hales takes her readers on a journey to Italy and shares several vignettes of how and when Italians have shaped the world through their passion.
La Passione is therefore an investment to understand the culture and art of Italy. The book is a deep plunge into the Italian way of living and culture and how it has influenced the world!
Favorite Chapters
The entire book is amazing to read but there are some chapters that resonated with me more.
My favorite parts included those on Italian food, olive oils and vineyards. The classic reading on the Romans and Etruscans along with popular artists and poets was also a deep dive into the Italian culture.
Another chapter called “Fatto a Mano” (made by hand) was very interesting to read because here the author talks about things made by hand such as the lace making tradition of Burano and pottery making in the town of Deruta.
There are also several vignettes and anecdotes throughout the 320 page book that will blow your mind. For instance, the Northern region of Piemonte was poor for years and didn’t have electricity and water until the 20th century!
Thoroughly Researched Book
La Passione is a thoroughly researched book with unique facts. I’m sure even locals would learn a thing or two from it. This book is not a nerdy historic account of Italy but beautiful re-telling of facts all saved together in a thick volume. I hope you savor it with your morning coffee. La Passione is a journey of Il Bel Paese, the country shaped by passion!
Please do read her book La Bella Lingua which is part of my Favorite Italy reads.
Read Next:
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- How to visit the Amalfi Coast from Salerno
- Arrivederci Montalbano- thoughts on Riccardino
- Basilica di Superga with the moon- una meraviglia
- The view from Vomero Hill, Naples
“So are you done with Italy??” asked a man at one of Dianne Hales readings. “God, no!” The very notion seemed unthinkable and impossible! Italy wasn’t done with me.
Dianne hales
This is exactly what I feel. Italy isn’t done with me either!!
15 Comments
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Cookingwithloveandspices
May 6, 2019 at 3:21 pmThanks for the info. I decided to follow Diana.
James Rendall
April 30, 2019 at 9:44 pmTaking your recommendation of this delightful book, coupled with my passion for Italia too, a copy of Dianne’s book arrived today. I look forward to immersing in her endeavours to bring it all to life. Thank you!
Italophilia
May 1, 2019 at 9:59 amThank you so much James. Dianne is such a passionate lady and her book is filled with that wonder and passion. Happy you liked my recommendation.
Tonno Bisaccio
April 30, 2019 at 2:27 pm… maybe not passion abstracted, but the allowance of its expression, deeply intwined in the language, verbal and non, dialects and form of humor. (ie, only a german could have composed tristan and isolde, a sort of oh-so-serious fatality of passion, which in italy instead becomes an almost comic or melodramatic, often elegant, removed fatalism.)
Italophilia
May 1, 2019 at 9:59 amVery well put, Tonno. Thanks for your comment. x
Manja Mexi Movie
April 29, 2019 at 2:11 amSounds fascinating. Italy is never done! 🙂 I have La Bella Lingua right here (thanks to you!) and haven’t read it yet. When I do, I’ll look forward to this one.
Italophilia
April 30, 2019 at 10:19 amAbsolutely never done 😉 happy I could give you more books to read. Prego!
KareninCalabria
April 28, 2019 at 9:20 amSounds like an interesting read, and I must say that I love the book cover!
Italophilia
April 28, 2019 at 1:36 pmMe too! Very well done, no?? Have a great week Karen!
Francis Pettitt
April 28, 2019 at 1:20 amThanks for bringing this nook to my attention through your excellent review. I have now ordered it!
Italophilia
April 28, 2019 at 9:04 amThat’s awesome Francis. I think you’ll love it
Darlene Foster
April 27, 2019 at 5:01 pmSounds great!!
Italophilia
April 27, 2019 at 5:33 pmI hope you read it too! Buon weekend!