Reading for the Road:
Books About Puglia

Christina Cain

Italy | Puglia

At The Slow Road we answer to many names (wanderers, bon vivants, students of life) but first and foremost, we’re a group of dedicated travellers.

That’s why we love compiling reading lists that include those books—from novels to memoirs, and everything in between—that have really opened up our favourite regions.

In this post we’ll round up a few of our favourite books about Puglia.

Must-Read Books About Puglia

THE ITALIANS

By Luigi Barzini

The definitive portrait of the Italian people, this is a classic, scholarly essay on the Italian character. Though first published in 1964, it’s still worth reading for its insight, grace and wit.

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A Traveller’s History of Italy

By Valerio Lintner

A brief history of Italy through the 1990s — wide-ranging, accessible and necessarily condensed. With a useful chronology and historical gazetteer, this book marches confidently through the centuries.

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Casa Rossa

By Francesca Marciano

A vivid novel following the lives of a mother, daughter, and granddaughter from Puglia over the course of the 20th century, opening as the narrator prepares to sell Casa Rossa, the family farm.

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Christ Stopped at Eboli, The Story of a Year

By Carlo Levi & Frances Frenaye

An affecting memoir of southern Italy, originally published in 1947, it stems from the author’s forced relocation to the region as punishment for anti-fascist political activity.

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La Bella Figura, A Field Guide to the Italian Mind

By Beppe Severgini

Italians themselves love this guide to the Italian character, which addresses their never-ending passion for beauty, disorder and high emotion. Severgnini opens the book with a snapshot of the hubbub at Malpensa Airport, then moves on to Tuscany, Rome, Naples and Sardinia.

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Christina Cain

Christina Cain first crossed paths with B&R more than 15 years ago in Italy, and we haven't let her out of our sights since. She now harnesses the expertise she gained while guiding a couple trips (and by "a couple" we mean about 70) into crafting exceptional adventures as one of our Private Trip Designers.