I Segreti di Londra - Corrado Augias
6 viewsThanks to Man of Roma, who quoted a section from Italian journalist, writer and TV presenter Corrado Augias‘ book describing the English, I bought a copy of Augias’ book ‘I Segreti di Londra’ yesterday.
While I’ve yet to really dig in to this book; I’ve made it to page 26 so far; what I’ve read has been fascinating, primarily because the work describes certain places in London, and the English, as seen through the eyes of the author.
It is very interesting to see how my fellow countrymen are viewed by an Italian, and, in a way, I feel that it is only fair that I should be reading this tome, in view of the fact that much of the stuff I write about on this blog concerns an Englishman’s perception of Italians and life in Italy.
The book may also help me to understand further how Italians view their own country and culture, and this, in turn, should help me to balance my perception of Italy and its people.
Interestingly enough, for me anyway, the prologue to ‘I Segreti di Londra’ discusses how the English view the Italians. What emerges from this brief analysis is that although historically the English looked down their noses at the unruly Italians, many English people found Italy irresistible.
Some of the more adventurous visitors (John Bright) from the green and pleasant land actually discovered that Italians are really quite nice people if you take the time to get to know them.
I also know a few English people who have been in Italy for a number of years who would agree with Bright’s ‘discovery’, and one of those people is myself.
Anyway, although I’ve really only started, I’ve found everything fascinating so far, even if it is a little odd to see myself, so to speak, under the microscope. Odd, but instructive.
The last book I read on this subject was Beppe Severgnini’s “L’inglese”, but although it was amusing, I found its assessment of the English character to be a wee bit superficial and dated, although I should point out that the book was a send up of the English and not some attempt at psychological analysis. Augias’ book, on the other hand, is more up to date and seems to be attempting to get ‘up close and personal’ with the way we English are, and why.
After I’ve read some more, I’ll post here to see if the book meets my expectations, and manages to help me understand what I am, and why. Whatever, I do believe I will continue to enjoy my guided tour of London courtesy of Corrado Augias, who, incidentally is an ex-politician and MEP.
The book ‘I Segreti di Londra’ was a best seller in Italy, but I’ve yet to check whether it has been translated into English. If I discover that it has, and I continue to find it enthralling, I shall pop it in my shops.
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It’s interesting how we look in the eyes of someone from afar. We all take preconceived notions of what the world is like into our daily lives. When we encounter that which is different and unfamiliar, those notions sometimes get in the way of building new relationships and learning new things. You appear to be taking yours in with an open and inquiring mind!
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Hi Margaret,
Thanks for dropping in.
What you say is right - we tend to get trapped in our own environments and find anything new scary.
And new things can be scary - that I know from when I landed in Italy one day quite a few years ago, on my own, and not knowing anybody.
But my inquiring mind overcame my fear, and I stayed!
Boy, I’m glad I did. It’s great to see how other people live, and to hear their opinions of you - provided they don’t go too over the top!!
All the best,
Alex
An inquiring mind seems to me typical of the British. They have conquered the world and ‘ruled the waves’ because they were capable of overcaming fear, as you say. One of the qualities of the Britons is this courage we all recognize and admire. You are British. Living abroad is not a small deed and requires guts.
All the best
Dear Man of Roma, you are too kind. Italians are not short of good qualities either.
“Living abroad is not a small deed and requires guts.”
I’m not sure I have the guts you mention! Depending on who you speak to, my coming to Italy all alone was either brave, foolhardy or something to be expected of me….
Whatever, I’m glad I did. And happy that life’s series of consequences have led me to where I am today.
And thanks again for putting me on to Augias’ book!
Have a lovely weekend,
Alex
Hello Everybody,
I have moved to London from Milan for 4 months (but I am about to go back in few weeks). I found “I segreti di Londra” in the Italian Book Shop in Cecil Court, close to Leicester Square.
I read it in few days, reading night and day. I loved to discover how an Italian, a sensitive and prepared one like Augias, can see the outside world, how the Britons are seen through the eyes of an Italian, and ultimately how an Italian, as I am too, can feel empathy and simpathy vis-a-vis foreing people, still keeping a critical approach towards them.
I liked so much the book that last Monday, it was bank holiday, I was planning to go to the British Museum. Then I figured out that it is close to Gordon Square, where the Bloomsberries group used to live and meet. So I found that square, sat there in the sun and read again the chapter on that subject (Le anime belle di Gordon Square).
It was a delight, I felt like part of the place, not a simple tourist, but a keeper of some secret of this secret city-world called London.
Kindest regards,
Pierluigi
Hi Pierluigi,
And thanks for dropping in.
It is very good to hear that you liked Corrado Augias book so much and found it so fascinating.
‘I Segreti di Londra’ is a wonderful book, especially as I love to hear how others view people from my country of origin.
Augias’ book, as you mention, does indeed make an interesting guide to London - and I’ve been learning quite a lot from it too, but I’m not from the Smoke!
Kind regards,
Alex