Calpurnia's literature corner
Episodes
Rossella Casini: Love and 'Ndrangheta
10 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The sources provide an overview of Roberto Saviano’s book, "L’amore mio non muore" (My Love Does Not Die), recounts the true story of ...
La verità è un fuoco
08 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The sources provide details about Agnese Pini's memoir, "La verità è un fuoco," which translates to "The truth is a fire."...
Porte Chiuse: Romano and Tatò, Italian History
06 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The sources provide an overview of the book, "Porte Chiuse: Storia di Erminia Romano e Tonino Tatò," authored by Giovanna Tatò. This wor...
Leytonstone: Infanzia di Hitchcock
01 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The provided sources focus on Stephen Volk's novella, Leytonstone, which fictionally explores the childhood of famed director Alfred Hitchcock ...
Bob Dylan's "Chronicles: Volume One": An Analysis
31 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Bob Dylan's 2004 autobiography, Chronicles: Volume One, is a work that deliberately subverts the conventions of a traditional biography. Instead ...
Fuga dalla Terra Russa
24 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The provided sources introduce the book Fuga dalla Terra Russa, an 80-page autobiographical novel by Francesco Paolo Fulco, published on February 2...
Tra la Champions e la libertà
21 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The provided sources introduce the book Tra la Champions e la libertà (Between the Champions League and Freedom), an autobiography by former profes...
Sofia Express: A Philosophical Quest for Happiness
09 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
"Sofia Express: Philosophy's Journey to Happiness," written by Matteo SaudinoThis book blends adventure and philosophy to introduc...
Goliarda Sapienza's The Art of Joy
03 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The source provides an extensive reader’s guide to Goliarda Sapienza's novel, The Art of Joy, focusing on the book’s unconventional journey ...
Dan Brown's The Last Secret
21 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The provided excerpts introduce Dan Brown’s thriller, "The Last Secret: A Robert Langdon Thriller," highlighting the return of the Harv...
Bar Sport: An Italian Microcosm
09 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The provided source offers an overview of Stefano Benni's "Bar Sport," a foundational work in Italian humorous literature, first publis...
The Climb: A Norwegian Thriller
04 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This excerpt introduces "La scalata", an Italian thriller by Sunday Times bestselling author Lucy Clarke, published by Newton Compton Edito...
Agosto Blu: Identity and Artistic Crisis
27 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The provided excerpts introduce Deborah Levy's novel, "Agosto Blu," which chronicles the profound identity crisis of Elsa M. Anderson, ...
King of Ashes: A Deep South Thriller Review
23 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This document provides an enthusiastic review of S.A. Cosby's crime thriller, King of Ashes, highlighting its engaging plot and profound explo...
Emilia del Valle: A Woman's Journey and War Correspondence
21 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The provided source offers a comprehensive overview of Isabel Allende's upcoming novel, "Il mio nome è Emilia del Valle" (My Name Is ...
Verrà l'alba, starai bene by Gianluca Gotto
18 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This excerpt from "Journey to Healing and Self-Acceptance" outlines the novel Verrà l'alba, starai bene by Gianluca Gotto, schedule...
Rebellious Hearts: India's Women, Honor, and Freedom
01 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The provided source describes Thrity Umrigar's novel, "Il Canto dei Cuori Ribelli," a powerful story set in India that explores the cla...
Miss Bee: A Twenties London Mystery & Romance
26 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This overview describes Alessia Gazzola's novel, "Miss Bee and the Corpse in the Library," a historical mystery set in 1920s London...
Angela Merkel: My Journey to Freedom
17 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Libertà is recommended for readers interested in understanding politics from the perspective of a leader who shaped its course for decades. It is als...
The God of Our Fathers: A Biblical Narrative
15 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Aldo Cazzullo's "The God of Our Fathers: A Biblical Narrative" offers an engaging and accessible interpretation of the Bible, presentin...
Changing the Flowers' Water: A Novel's Heart
07 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The provided episode offers an overview of Valérie Perrin's novel, "Changing the Flowers' Water," a highly acclaimed book in Ital...
L'anniversario: A Novel by Andrea Bajani
04 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The provided source introduces Andrea Bajani's novel, "L'anniversario," set for publication in 2025 by Feltrinelli, which has alrea...
The Catastrophic Zoo Visit
17 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This overview describes "The Catastrophic Zoo Visit," a novel by Joël Dicker, slated for release in 2025. The story is a lighthearted my...
1968: Manhattan to Silicon Valley
11 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The provided episode offers an overview of a book titled "1968: Manhattan to Silicon Valley," which centers on a personal and journalistic j...
The Death of Beauty: A Novel Summary
25 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The source provides an overview of Giuseppe Patroni Griffi's novel, "La morte della bellezza," highlighting it as the author's mas...
Iron Flame: Plot and Themes
24 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The sources discuss Iron Flame, the second book in Rebecca Yarros's Empyrean series, highlighting its genre as romantasy and detailing the pl...
The God of Our Fathers
18 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The provided episode discusses Aldo Cazzullo's book, "Il Dio dei nostri padri," which reinterprets the Bible as an extensive narrative...
Santiago Path: A Spiritual and Practical Guide
12 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The sources describe Manuele Dalcesti's book, "Guida Pratica e Spirituale al Cammino di Santiago," which serves as a comprehensive guid...
The Catcher in the Rye - Il giovane Holden
11 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This episode offers an overview of Jerome D. Salinger's acclaimed novel, The Catcher in the Rye, exploring its lasting popularity as a "lo...
Terrone Feminism: An Alliance of the Margins
09 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The source describes Femminismo Terrone, a book by Claudia Fauzia and Valentina Amenta published in 2024, which presents an intersectional feminist ...
Femminismo Terrone
09 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
La fonte descrive Femminismo Terrone, un libro di Claudia Fauzia e Valentina Amenta pubblicato nel 2024, che presenta una prospettiva femminista inte...
The Boy with the Orange Keffiyeh
07 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Prompted by an interview in the 1990s, Loai recalls his childhood in the 1960s in Al Khalil, West Bank, where he faced bullying due to his appearanc...
Valérie Perrin's Tatà: Secrets, Memory, and Survival
04 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The provided episode describes Valérie Perrin's novel, Tatà, highlighting its context as a work by an acclaimed French author known for intri...
Counting Miracles: A Nicholas Sparks Novel
02 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The provided episode offers a synopsis of Nicholas Sparks' novel, Counting Miracles, released in September 2024. The narrative centers on three i...
Thriller *Win* di Harlan Coben
28 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The source provides a detailed analysis of Harlan Coben's psychological thriller Win, published in 2025. It is presented as a spin-off from the M...
Exercises in Style: Queneau’s Narrative Variations
19 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Exercises in Style" by Raymond Queneau is a unique collection of 99 short stories, each narrating the same event in strikingly different stylisti...
How We Will Live in Space
12 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
"Come vivremo nello spazio" (How We Will Live in Space) by Vittorio Baraldi is a captivating book that explores the history and future of hu...
Grumo di Donna: Search for Meaning and Awareness
09 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The episode presents "Grumo di Donna" as an exploration of human existential aporia, namely the contradiction between the desire for freedom...
Careless People: Meta Seen from the Inside
06 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The episode introduces "Careless People," a memoir by Sarah Wynn-Williams, a former Meta employee. The book recounts her work experience a...
Non ho tempo per andare al mare
15 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
"Mari Accardi's novel 'Non ho tempo per andare al mare' tells the story of Matilde, a young Sicilian woman who works as a tour guide ...
Dynasty: Decline of Italian Industrial Dynasties
11 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Mario Giordano's new book, "Dynasty", analyzes the decline of major Italian industrial families, such as the Agnellis and the Benettons....
Leave Me, Do Not Hold Me Back
07 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
"Leave Me, Do Not Hold Me Back: Mario Luzi's Last Poem" is a posthumous collection published in 2009, curated by Stefano Verdino, contai...
Socrates, Agata, and the Art of Aging with Philosophy
26 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The book "Socrates, Agata, and the Art of Aging with Philosophy" by Beppe Severgnini explores aging with wisdom. Through the dialogue betwee...
The Impossible Return: Nothomb, Japan, and the Search for Identity
13 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
"L'impossibile ritorno" by Amélie Nothomb is a novel in which the author returns to Japan with her friend Pep Beni to explore the conce...
The Wrath of Destruction: Violence, Society, and the Achilles Syndrome
11 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The essay L'ira funesta by Vittorino Andreoli analyzes modern violence by linking it to Homer's Iliad, examining how classic psychological mec...
The Years of Abundance
09 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
"Gli anni dell’abbondanza" (The Years of Abundance) by Maria Costanza Boldrini is a family saga that explores a century of Italian history...
Story of a Good Girl
31 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
"Story of a Good Girl," Arianna Farinelli's 2025 novel, explores the challenges faced by a young woman navigating societal expectations....
"Days of Rain": Tatyana Tolstaya's Writing
25 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Tatyana Tolstaya's "Days of Rain" is a collection of short stories that delves into the intricacies of Russian daily life, focusing on t...
The Revolution of Merit
23 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The episode presents an excerpt that discusses the concept of merit, highlighting the contradiction between its common acceptance in extra-scholastic ...
Where the Horizon Ends: A Travel Diary
21 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A testament to human resilience and the transformative power of travel, "Where the Horizon Ends" invites readers to challenge their boundari...
Villa Alari: History and Architecture of a Lombard Residence
19 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
"Villa Alari in Cernusco sul Naviglio (Milano)" is a book published by Fatebenefratelli that offers insights into the historical and archit...
C'era una volta in Italia (Once upon a time in Italy.) Enrico Deaglio
16 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Where did we leave off? At the explosion of that bomb in Milan that marked the end of the "innocent" and "fabulous" sixties. A new...
The Dangling Man: Review and Analysis
14 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
"The Dangling Man" is the first novel by Saul Bellow, published in 1944. The narrative unfolds through the diary of Joseph, an unemployed man from Chi...
A Village Life by Louise Glück (Una vita di paese)
08 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
"A Village Life" by Louise Glück is a collection of poems that portrays rural life, focusing on the everyday experiences and inner emotions of its in...
Volver
04 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Luglio 1940. L'Italia è in guerra e il commissario Ricciardi, spinto dalle crescenti persecuzioni razziali, si rifugia a Fortino, il suo paese natale...
Tra il silenzio e il tuono (Between Silence and Thunder)
29 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
There is an age in life when one can find a pure voice: a voice between silence and thunder. There is perhaps no other way to speak of oneself when lo...
Fino alla fine del mondo e un po' più in là
28 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
"Fino alla fine del mondo e un po' più in là" by Cristina Zagaria is a book published by Piemme in the "Il battello a vapore" series, aimed primaril...
La sesta estinzione
26 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The episode presents an analysis of Elizabeth Kolbert's book on mass extinctions, focusing on the role of humans in the Anthropocene. It describes ...
What Are You Going Through
24 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
"Attraverso la vita" by Sigrid Nunez is an introspective novel that explores themes of solitude, loss, and the search for meaning. The narrative ...
"Senza eredi" (translated as "Without Heirs")
22 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Marcello Veneziani's book "Senza eredi" presents a profound exploration of contemporary society's disconnection from its intellectual and cultural he...
Il sale sulla ferita
17 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Una commedia nera che ruota attorno alla dottoressa Ardelia Spinola. Un omicidio misterioso coinvolge il suo ex fidanzato, Arturo, la cui sorprende...
The Women: A Novel of Vietnam
11 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The novel is not only a tribute to the unheralded heroines of the past but also a reminder of the ongoing struggles for recognition and equality. Wit...
Rooney's Intermezzo: Grief, Love, and Loss
11 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Sally Rooney's new novel, "Intermezzo," tells the story of two brothers, Peter and Ivan, dealing with the grief of their father's death. The narrative...
The Asheboro Miracle
10 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The novel tells the story of Tanner, a ranger who, after the death of his grandmother, goes in search of his unknown father in Asheboro. There, he mee...
The Broken Light
10 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
"The Broken Light" by Joanne Harris tells the story of Bernie Ingram, a fifty-year-old woman who feels invisible and finds comfort in social media. Af...
Dimmi di Te
08 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
"Dimmi di te" by Chiara Gamberale is a semi-autobiographical novel that narrates the existential and professional crisis of the protagonist, Chiara, r...
The Life Impossible
04 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Grace, a retired math teacher, receives a desperate email from one of her former students, Maurice, who is struggling with depression and feelings of ...
Bret Easton Ellis's *The Shards*
02 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Le schegge is considered one of Ellis's most significant works after years of literary silence. The novel not only offers a snapshot of adolescent li...
Tutta la vita che resta
30 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
"Tutta la vita che resta" is the debut novel by Roberta Recchia, published by Rizzoli in 2024. The book has received significant acclaim from both th...
Così eravamo. Giornalisti, orchestrali, ragazze allegre e altri persi per strada
27 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
"Così eravamo," Francesco Guccini's latest work, published in September 2024, is a collection of vignettes exploring the youth and experiences of div...
Lunario Sentimentale
27 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Mauro Corona's book is a work that retraces a year in the life of a mountain community, using the calendar as a narrative structure. The text explores...
Power: Technology and Geopolitics in the Energy Transition
26 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In "Power: Technology and Geopolitics in the Energy Transition," Marco Dell'Aguzzo explores the intricate relationship between energy transition, glob...
Self-Esteem, Self-Worth, and Mental Suffering
25 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The author presents the latest theories of emotions and motivational systems related to the formation of self-worth, which he considers as a system cr...
Manfredi's *Ides of March*
24 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Ides of March" is a compelling historical novel that chronicles the last days of Julius Caesar in ancient Rome. Set in 44 BC, the book masterfully...
La Cura
24 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In 2012, Salvatore Iaconesi was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Instead of succumbing to the role of a patient, he made a radical decision, inspired by ...
A wild animal
23 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
"A Wild Animal" is released in 2024. It all begins with the preparation and execution of an armed robbery of a jewelry store in Geneva. What is the co...
We were never here
19 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Tutti gli anni Emily e Kristen fanno un viaggio assieme per rafforzare la loro grande amicizia, e adesso sono sulle montagne del Cile. Le cose vanno ...
Se la strada potesse parlare
19 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Nell’anno di celebrazione del centenario di James Baldwin, torna Se la strada potesse parlare, uno dei più dolorosi e poetici romanzi del ventesimo...
Settembre nero
14 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A story wrapped in a tender and soft adolescent gaze, that which Sandro Veronesi narrates in his new novel: “Settembre nero” (The Ship of Theseus)...
Il Matrimonio
09 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
"Il Matrimonio" è il nuovo thriller di Jason Rekulak, autore di "Teddy". La trama segue Frank, che cerca di riconciliarsi con sua figlia Maggie dura...
The Winter of the Lions
06 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Stefania Auci weaves together history and stories, strength and fragility, magnificence and decay. In the magical flow of these pages, there is everyt...
Virtual Bodies: A Study of Erotic Uses of the Web
04 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The advent and rapid proliferation of new media have granted access to a vast archive of erotic materials and enabled the emergence of new forms of s...
Alessandro Manzoni: A Pillar of Italian Literature
03 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Alessandro Manzoni is one of the most celebrated Italian writers, renowned for his masterpiece, The Betrothed. Published in the mid-19th century, thi...
Alda Merini: The Poetic Voice of Pain and Resilience
02 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Alda Merini (March 21, 1931 – November 1, 2009) was an influential Italian poet and writer, renowned for her profound exploration of themes such as...
The Society of Approximation
02 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This is a challenging and relevant book that compels us to critically examine the society we inhabit. Although it has its shortcomings, the work signi...
The Women's Surname
01 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Women's Surname" is a novel by Aurora Tamigio that tells the story of a Sicilian family, starting with Rosa, the grandmother, who marries for love...
Giovanni Boccaccio
31 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Picture a young man in the heart of medieval Florence, the illegitimate son of a merchant, forced to study law and commerce, but with his head lost i...
D’Annunzio Unveiled: The Poet of Excess
30 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Gabriele D'Annunzio was an Italian poet, playwright, and novelist born in 1863. A key figure in the Decadent movement, he is known for his flamboyant...
The Legacy of Thomas Mann
29 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A biographical journey through the life of Thomas Mann, examining how his personal experiences shaped his writing and how his work reflected the tumul...
The Sun Also Rises: Hemingway's Life and Works
28 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Join us on a journey through the life of Ernest Hemingway, one of the most influential writers of the 20th century. From his experiences in World War ...
Shakespeare: The Bard of Avon
27 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Join us on a journey through the life and times of William Shakespeare, the world’s most celebrated playwright. From his early days in Stratford-upo...
The Life and Poetry of Giovanni Pascoli
26 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Explore the life and works of Italian poet Giovanni Pascoli. From his tragic childhood to his iconic poetry, this episode delves into the themes of lo...
Giovanni Verga: The Father of Verismo
25 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Discover the world of Giovanni Verga, the Italian master of Verismo. Explore his groundbreaking works like I Malavoglia and Mastro-don Gesualdo, and ...
Fat Hassles of Luigi Capuana
25 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The story revolves around a main character, Don Pietro the Hunchback, a man who, despite his nickname, has no physical deformity. The narrative focus...
Vitaliano Brancati: The Sicilian Satirist
25 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Vitaliano Brancati was an Italian writer known for his satirical and often humorous take on Italian society, particularly during the Fascist era. His...
Luigi Pirandello: Beyond Reality
25 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Luigi Pirandello was an Italian playwright, novelist, and short story writer known for his exploration of identity, illusion, and the human condition...
Luigi Capuana: The Sicilian Storyteller
25 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Luigi Capuana was a leading Italian writer and a key figure in the Verismo movement. His works, from short stories to critical essays, were varied an...
Leonardo Sciascia: Sicilian Stories, Universal Truths
25 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Join us on a journey into the mind of Leonardo Sciascia, an author whose powerful voice continues to resonate in the 21st century.
Unraveling the Mystery of Tomasi di Lampedusa
25 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A backdrop of a unified Italy, the Risorgimento, and post-war Sicily: the tumultuous historical context that serves as a stage for 'Il Gattopardo'. W...
Discovering Elio Vittorini
25 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
An in-depth exploration of Elio Vittorini's career, examining his significant contributions as a novelist, translator, literary critic, and editor