La Bella Figura

Journalist Beppe Severgnini takes readers on a romp through Italy in this entertaining, edifying portrait of his home country. With lively wit, he guides readers along city streets, railways, rural valleys and coastal lanes, accompanying them to museums, restaurants, family homes and piazzas. Severgnini offers up a diet of astute observations about his country and his compatriots in this critique-cum-ode to Italy.

Being Italian is a full-time job. We never forget who we are, and we have fun confusing anyone who is looking on.Beppe Severgnini

By organizing his portrait of this complex, fascinating country as a 10-day tour, Severgnini immerses readers in all of Italy’s beauty, warmth, charm and chaos. With a keen eye for telling detail and deep understanding of the Italian people, Severgnini weaves observations about Italian propensities and attitudes into every step of this imaginary journey.