Palermo by Roberto Alajmo
If you’ve been to Palermo in Sicily, you probably either loved or hated it. My love for the city is no secret. Palermo is not a place that throws open her arms to you; she makes you work for it, makes you discover her charm one ridiculously busy street at a time — and I tend to like that in cities. See also: Philadelphia.
I’ve written a series of posts about some of my favorite popular stops in Palermo including the Duomo, Fountain of Shame, Antica Focacceria San Francesco, and the Capuchin Catacombs, so when I got an offer to review Roberto Alajmo’s new book Palermo from Haus Publishing, I jumped at the chance. The fact that it fits in perfectly with the Gita Italiana 2010 is like icing on the cannoli. Or something like that.
Roberto Alajmo is a native of Palermo; this book is translated into English by Guido Waldman. When I received it, the first thought in my mind was whether this was going to be a love letter to the gritty Sicilian città probably known best for the Mafia and its pastries — and I’d say yes. Yes it is, but it’s a palermitano love letter, if you will.
Now let me explain.
Alajmo speaks directly to a first-time visitor to his city from the first sentence: “You have to get yourself a window-seat and arrive on a clear sunny day.” This sets the tone of the entire book as he educates the reader about the city’s sights, but not just tourist attractions. Much of the book is a tongue-in-cheek look at the city and its natives with caustic, wry observations about illegal structures, Palermitano mentality about corruption, rubbish, politics, and so much more.
Buy Palermo by Roberto Alajmo on Amazon
I found myself smirking through most of Palermo (and underlining an overwhelming portion of the book) because Alajmo’s analysis is so keen, his criticism subtle and yet full of daggers. He leaves you with many thought-provoking ideas such as the real reason why the South has so many unfinished buildings: “an unconscious sense that total completion carries with it an inbuilt sorrow.” It’s just a brilliantly written book.
So where’s the love?
Remember, Alajmo is a native of the city. He knows it. He appreciates its beauty, but he really delves into its problems — *big* problems in many instances — and the latter is what nearly all of this book is about. But in order to truly love someone (or in this case, something), don’t you have to recognize the faults and decide to love anyway?
So, yes, I would characterize Alajmo’s Palermo as a love letter to his city — a whopping, entertaining dose of tough love, but would a Palermitano have it any other way? I just loved it. Five very full espresso cups out of five.
Aside from content, by the way, this is simply a snazzy little book. It’s hardcover and measures 15.6 x 11.6 cm (about 6 x 5 inches); perfect for stuffing in your bag on a trip and a great gift item as well.
Have you been to Palermo? Would you like to go?
*
Subscribe to my Book Reviews feed — book reviews ONLY, which aren’t published to the main feed — by visiting Feedburner.
62 Beans of Wisdom to “Palermo by Roberto Alajmo”
« Older Comments-
[...] Book Review & Giveaway: Palermo by Roberto Alajmo [...]... italylogue.com/news/italy-travel-news-08242010.html
Add your two beans of wisdom.
Recipes
As a lover of guidebooks/travelbooks and also a lover of Italy I would LOVE this book of course
Best of luck!
[Reply]
OK, I like Haus Publishing on Facebook now
Noted!
[Reply]
I’ve been to Sicily, but not Palermo. I would love to visit though. I saw the film the Sicilian girl and also watched a documentary about the series of tunnels made by the mafia in that part of Sicily and found it all so fascinating. I would love to read this book!
Just liked Huas Publishing as well
Great, Piccola…hope you do get to Palermo someday
Piccola´s last post . . . Just Checking In
[Reply]
to win or not to win – that is up to luck.
but to go or not to go…. that is something i can do something about!
i must just say a THANK YOU to you AND all those who write and publish these lovely books and posts abd blogs – all the time given for making all these places just so REAL that we are planning our next break to visit some of the places we have only read about.
i LIKE HAUS too!!!
ciao ciao e buona domenica……….. la la la la la la la laaaaaaa
Best of luck, Laura!
[Reply]
Ciao!
Blogs are such a fun way for us here in the USA to dream of Italy!
My husband and I are planning a trip to Sicily for my 60th birthday. I know we have relatives there, but my uncle who has met them passed away this year.
We’ll find them though!!
We did have one day in Sicily on a cruise. Now we are ready to go for a much longer stay and visit with the wonderful people!
[Reply]
I remember taking a group of my British teenage students around Palermo and all they asked all day was, “Can we go and see the dead people now?” All they wanted to do was see the Catacombs! I would love to win this book.
Welshcakes Limoncello´s last post . . . BOOK REVIEW – RIPRENDETEVI LA FACCIA
[Reply]
Just became a fb fan of Haus, too.
Welshcakes Limoncello´s last post . . . BOOK REVIEW – RIPRENDETEVI LA FACCIA
[Reply]
I love Palermo! You describe it so well by saying, you have to work to see it’s “Beauty”:)
~Thank you ~
[Reply]
I would love to visit Palermo…never been! This book looks very fun. Grazie, Aimee
aimee´s last post . . . Hawaiian Pineapple Breakfast Smoothie
[Reply]
I came from Australia to visit Sicilia for a week at the beginning of May …and I’m still here…I thinks I likes it !!! Do you think I like it? These last 10 minutes before “the bell” are the last 10 minutes of the aniversary of my uncle’s berthday. he died some years ago but would have adored to be here with me now…I know it. LOVE THIS SITE !!! MANY THANKS.There is no opportunity to become a friend though.
[Reply]
I love Palermo. We visited several times when we lived in Sicily. These were my first impressions: “Palermo was as Palermo has been. Chaotic traffic, crumbly buildings, street corner vendors selling fruits and vegetables, gorgeous theatres and churches, ancient trees, ancient city, classy, decadent, schizophrenic.” Did I say that I love Palermo?
[Reply]