Andrea Camilleri’s Il gioco degli specchi (2011) is the eighteenth in the commissario Montalbano series. This book is more gripping than some of the other recent ones have been. It is more sophisticated and the old humor and irony are back. While not leaving out the more horrific and gruesome aspects of today’s world, the story includes pearls of wisdom and great comedy scenes. There is also more dialect – but after 18 books it’s fun and no longer a challenge for non-Sicilian readers. At this point the characters could seem repetitive but instead they feel like part of the family. Best of all, the antipatica Livia’s presence is limited to a few phone calls. In all, a pleasurable read.
Year: 2011 (page 4 of 11)
In recent years the dessert that has become the most associated with Italy is tiramisù. The original version is made with savoiardi – similar to ladyfingers – soaked with espresso and rum and layered with a mascarpone custard. The top is dusted with cocoa. Good versions are deceptively light: mascarpone is not exactly diet food. The original custard is made with raw eggs; modern versions often cook the eggs at least a little. The newest trend is variations on tiramisù, such as adding fruit or chocolate instead of coffee. Dolce Vizio Tiramisù, serving various flavors of the dessert (or you can build your own), is now open at 131 Christopher Street. Definitely worth a visit – followed by a long walk to burn off the calories.
See I Vicerè (directed by Roberto Faenza in 2007) on Wednesday August 24th at 5:00. The film will be followed by un aperitivo e chiacchiere in italiano.
This movie is based on Federico De Roberto’s 1894 novel of the same title. It tells the story, through the noble Uzeda family of Catania, of Sicily during the unification of Italy. It is full of conflict and intrigue and political references that have many contemporary echoes.
Contact us at ciao@italianopertutti.com for more information and to reserve a space. Meeting location will be given at time of reservation.
Fee: $10
With recent budget cuts in Italy there was talk (later contradicted) that funding for the Accademia della Crusca would be cut, thus threatening this institute’s continued existence. The Accademia della Crusca, founded in Florence in 1582, is a leading institution dedicated to the study of and research on the Italian language. The founding members of the society, a group of intellectuals known as the Crusconi, gathered for convivial meetings reciting playful but highly literary discourses. Their intention was to set themselves apart form the overly pompous discussions of the Accademia Fiorentina. In 1583 the stated direction of the Crusca evolved into that of conserving the Florentine vulgar tongue. In 1612 the Crusca was the first institution in Europe to produce a national language “Vocabolario.” Today the Accademia della Crusca’s activities involve supporting research in Italian linguistics and philology and also sustaining the diffusion and knowledge of the Italian language both in Italy and elsewhere.
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