3rd September 2021
We all have our own reasons to start learning a foreign language. Mine was to read Jane Austen’s novels in their original form.
We also have different ways to improve our level, we prefer more interactive or more passive learning methods, we might choose between group lessons or individual one-to-one session with a tutor. We might watch tv series and movies, we might listen to podcasts, radio programmes or even songs.
However, one very important part of our journey is the discovery of literature.
Italian writers (contemporary or not) have so much to offer to readers, with their unique styles and interesting stories, and we can all enjoy them, even at beginner level, if you know how to choose the right title.
Sometimes it can get really frustrating, when we start from page one and we keep stopping to look out for words we don’t know. So, it is important to set reasonable and reachable targets. Starting from the Divine Comedy, although extremely tempting, could become a very tiring process.
Another obstacle could be the lack of interest. There are many graduated books on the market, or collections of short stories with the English text available next to the Italian, but sometimes the anecdotes are quite simple and not everyone’s cup of tea. Naturally, we could be very far from the page-turning feeling we get when we read in our language. So, my humble tip would be that of following our heart and choose a novel that could genuinely rise our interest.
This is my very personal list of suggestions, some of my favourite readings, according to your level:
Beginner – Non ti Muovere (Margaret Mazzantini), Tre Cavalli (Erri De Luca), Ma le stelle quante sono (Giula Carcasi), Io e Te (Niccolò Ammaniti), Pugni (Pietro Grossi)
Intermediate – Novecento (Alessandro Baricco), I leoni di Sicilia (Stefania Auci), Momenti di trascurabile felicità (Francesco Piccolo)
High Intermediate – Non avevo capito niente (Diego de Silva), La Storia (Elsa Morante), La Ciociara (Alberto Moravia), La volpe che amava i libri (Nicola Pesce)
Advanced – La vita bugiarda degli adulti (Elena Ferrante), Il giardino dei Finzi-Contini (Giorgio Bassani), Il Gattopardo (Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa)
Wherever you are in the world, the words on those pages will make you travel time and space, those authors will teach you about Italian habits, history, culture, and food. So, from one avid reader to another, get ready for the autumn knocking on our doors, prepare your favourite blanket, a nice cup and a lovely light and dive in a beautiful Italian story.