Welcome to Litsy!

I admit that I confused this family with the Borgia family. They were very similar, in fact, so I don't feel too foolish. They started as bankers in Florence. It seemed to me that every other generation was patrons to the arts, while the other generations were lazy and/or violent. The family was often fighting the papacy except when they had a son or nephew as a pope. I'm glad I read it. I learned more about Italy's history before unification.

#Read2025 #Wardens2025

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I enjoyed Naspini‘s book Nives, so when I saw this while in London I grabbed it. The story in this is a difficult one - a young man finds out his father is responsible for the murder of several young woman and of keeping a girl locked in a storage container for 14 years. The story bounces from points of view but some reactions and behaviours in the aftermath of this just do not strike the right note, particularly the ending. #europacollective

This is my first Iris Origo and it won‘t be my last. It is the author‘s diary of the entrance of Italy during World War II, and her unique perspective as a well-connected British woman living with her Italian husband in the countryside of Italy. Its commentary on the realities of living under fascism, effects of propaganda and the manner in which people continued to live their lives is as relevant today as it was 85 years ago.

I just love it when books I already own are recommended in documentaries. Would have even been better, if had already read it! 🙈🤦‍♀️🙈 So it‘s next on my list.

Great book. Quick read. Love Elizabeth Adler‘s books. I feel like I‘m in Italy. 🇮🇹 ❤️

#5JoysFriday

1. Sunrise - I stopped in my commute this morning to take some photos
2. Sunset from my balcony
3. My landlord brought me homemade wine & limoncello - delizioso!
4. This kitten ❤️
5. I live 400 meters from a pizzeria & 200 meters from a gelato shop 😋

Thanks for the tag @TheSpineView

Great book! First time reading this author. Fast read and a good story. Makes me want to travel to Italy

I enjoyed this crime novel about a serial killer in Florence. The police aspects feel authentic (the author draws from his own experience) and I liked the Florence setting & some of the characters. The theme of homophobia troubled me although I read it as a reflection of society rather than the author‘s own views. His wife was one-dimensional. So it lacked the interest & banter that enrich Donna Leon‘s or Louise Penny‘s books for example.