Summary: In this article, I've compiled 20 Books That Take Place in Italy that transport you to its captivating landscapes, rich history, and vibrant culture. Here are my top 3 choices:
- My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante
- Under the Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayes
- The Leopard by Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa
Books set in Italy offer a window into rich history, vibrant culture, and beautiful landscapes, from Rome’s ancient streets to Tuscany’s sunny hills. These stories capture Italy’s spirit of passion, tradition, and resilience, creating a romantic escape steeped in history. Whether you’re dreaming of a trip or craving a taste of Italy from home, these novels bring you right to its heart.
TOP 20: best Books That Take Place in Italy
- My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante
- Under the Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayes
- The Leopard by Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa
- A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway
- Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter
- In the Name of the Family by Sarah Dunant
- The Birth of Venus by Sarah Dunant
- Room with a View by E.M. Forster
- The Enchanted April by Elizabeth von Arnim
- The Wedding Officer by Anthony Capella
- The House of Medici: Its Rise and Fall by Christopher Hibbert
- Italian Neighbors by Tim Parks
- Death in Venice by Thomas Mann
- The Glassblower of Murano by Marina Fiorato
- The Innocents Abroad by Mark Twain
- The Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith
- The Italian Girl by Iris Murdoch
- The Light in the Piazza by Elizabeth Spencer
- The Lying Life of Adults by Elena Ferrante
- Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
1. My Brilliant Friend
- Author: Elena Ferrante
- About: A deep exploration of friendship and personal growth set in postwar Naples.
- Style of writing: Gritty, realistic, introspective.
- Length: ~130,000 words.
- Year written: 2011.
- Emotional impact: Lasting, with complex emotions and social insights.
- Difficulty level: Moderate.
- Why read it: Captures the heart of Italian working-class life and friendship over decades.
2. Under the Tuscan Sun
- Author: Frances Mayes
- About: A memoir about restoring a villa and immersing oneself in Tuscan life.
- Style of writing: Warm, descriptive, reflective.
- Length: ~95,000 words.
- Year written: 1996.
- Emotional impact: Uplifting and life-affirming.
- Difficulty level: Easy to moderate.
- Why read it: A perfect escape into the Italian countryside with a focus on food, lifestyle, and joy.
3. The Leopard
- Author: Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa
- About: Follows the decline of Sicily’s aristocracy during the 19th century.
- Style of writing: Rich, historical, philosophical.
- Length: ~108,000 words.
- Year written: 1958.
- Emotional impact: Profound, with a reflective tone on change and mortality.
- Difficulty level: Moderate to high.
- Why read it: A classic that provides insight into Italian history and the complexities of power and tradition.
4. A Farewell to Arms
- Author: Ernest Hemingway
- About: A WWI romance between an American ambulance driver and a British nurse in Italy.
- Style of writing: Sparse, direct, emotional.
- Length: ~100,000 words.
- Year written: 1929.
- Emotional impact: Poignant, tragic.
- Difficulty level: Moderate.
- Why read it: For its classic depiction of love and war set against Italy’s backdrop.
5. Beautiful Ruins
- Author: Jess Walter
- About: A love story unfolding on the Italian coast, spanning decades.
- Style of writing: Lyrical, evocative, modern.
- Length: ~125,000 words.
- Year written: 2012.
- Emotional impact: Moving and thought-provoking.
- Difficulty level: Moderate.
- Why read it: For a blend of romance and ambition, with a cinematic quality.
6. In the Name of the Family
- Author: Sarah Dunant
- About: Historical fiction about the notorious Borgia family.
- Style of writing: Detailed, historical, engaging.
- Length: ~145,000 words.
- Year written: 2017.
- Emotional impact: Intense, captivating.
- Difficulty level: Moderate to high.
- Why read it: For an enthralling look into Renaissance Italy’s political intrigue.
7. The Birth of Venus
- Author: Sarah Dunant
- About: Set in Florence during the Renaissance, it follows a young woman’s passions and secrets.
- Style of writing: Lush, suspenseful, historical.
- Length: ~120,000 words.
- Year written: 2003.
- Emotional impact: Engrossing, with a strong sense of place.
- Difficulty level: Moderate.
- Why read it: A richly atmospheric dive into Florence’s art and social turbulence.
8. Room with a View
- Author: E.M. Forster
- About: A young Englishwoman’s awakening in Italy’s romantic setting.
- Style of writing: Elegant, humorous, insightful.
- Length: ~75,000 words.
- Year written: 1908.
- Emotional impact: Gentle, thought-provoking.
- Difficulty level: Moderate.
- Why read it: For a charming portrayal of self-discovery and love.
9. The Enchanted April
- Author: Elizabeth von Arnim
- About: Four women find friendship and renewal in an Italian villa.
- Style of writing: Lighthearted, gentle, hopeful.
- Length: ~60,000 words.
- Year written: 1922.
- Emotional impact: Heartwarming, delightful.
- Difficulty level: Easy.
- Why read it: For a feel-good story about escape and transformation.
10. The Wedding Officer
- Author: Anthony Capella
- About: Set in Naples during WWII, an officer discovers Italian culture and love.
- Style of writing: Romantic, descriptive, vivid.
- Length: ~140,000 words.
- Year written: 2007.
- Emotional impact: Engaging, sensory.
- Difficulty level: Moderate.
- Why read it: A mix of romance, food, and wartime Italy’s flavors.
11. The House of Medici: Its Rise and Fall
- Author: Christopher Hibbert
- About: Non-fiction covering the Medici family’s influence in Florence.
- Style of writing: Informative, detailed, historical.
- Length: ~90,000 words.
- Year written: 1974.
- Emotional impact: Educational, inspiring.
- Difficulty level: Moderate to high.
- Why read it: For a compelling introduction to one of Italy’s most powerful families.
12. Italian Neighbors
- Author: Tim Parks
- About: A memoir of an Englishman’s life in a small Italian village.
- Style of writing: Humorous, observational, personal.
- Length: ~100,000 words.
- Year written: 1992.
- Emotional impact: Fun, relatable.
- Difficulty level: Moderate.
- Why read it: A light-hearted look at Italian village life from an outsider’s perspective.
13. Death in Venice
- Author: Thomas Mann
- About: A novella of obsession set in Venice.
- Style of writing: Intense, symbolic, philosophical.
- Length: ~28,000 words.
- Year written: 1912.
- Emotional impact: Haunting, profound.
- Difficulty level: High.
- Why read it: For a classic exploration of beauty and obsession in Venice.
14. The Glassblower of Murano
- Author: Marina Fiorato
- About: A blend of historical fiction and mystery around Venice’s glassblowing heritage.
- Style of writing: Suspenseful, vivid, historical.
- Length: ~110,000 words.
- Year written: 2008.
- Emotional impact: Engrossing, cultural.
- Difficulty level: Moderate.
- Why read it: For an immersive look into Venice’s artisan traditions.
15. The Innocents Abroad
- Author: Mark Twain
- About: Twain’s humorous account of his travels in Europe, including Italy.
- Style of writing: Satirical, descriptive, witty.
- Length: ~150,000 words.
- Year written: 1869.
- Emotional impact: Amusing, thought-provoking.
- Difficulty level: Moderate.
- Why read it: A funny and insightful look at 19th-century Italian culture through Twain’s eyes.
16. The Talented Mr. Ripley
- Author: Patricia Highsmith
- About: A psychological thriller about a conman in Italy.
- Style of writing: Dark, suspenseful, psychological.
- Length: ~100,000 words.
- Year written: 1955.
- Emotional impact: Gripping, unsettling.
- Difficulty level: Moderate.
- Why read it: For a chilling exploration of identity and deception set in Italy.
17. The Italian Girl
- Author: Iris Murdoch
- About: A gothic tale of family secrets and complexities in Italy.
- Style of writing: Literary, intense, psychological.
- Length: ~60,000 words.
- Year written: 1964.
- Emotional impact: Intriguing, eerie.
- Difficulty level: Moderate.
- Why read it: For a dramatic, moody exploration of family and secrets.
18. The Light in the Piazza
- Author: Elizabeth Spencer
- About: A romantic novella about an American mother and daughter in Florence.
- Style of writing: Romantic, tender, classic.
- Length: ~30,000 words.
- Year written: 1960.
- Emotional impact: Sweet, touching.
- Difficulty level: Moderate.
- Why read it: A classic short novel capturing love and beauty in Florence.
19. The Lying Life of Adults
- Author: Elena Ferrante
- About: A coming-of-age story exploring family and identity in Naples.
- Style of writing: Raw, introspective, complex.
- Length: ~115,000 words.
- Year written: 2019.
- Emotional impact: Reflective, impactful.
- Difficulty level: Moderate.
- Why read it: A recent work capturing Ferrante’s signature exploration of family and society.
20. Eat Pray Love
- Author: Elizabeth Gilbert
- About: Memoir of a woman’s journey of self-discovery in Italy, India, and Bali.
- Style of writing: Conversational, uplifting, honest.
- Length: ~125,000 words.
- Year written: 2006.
- Emotional impact: Inspiring, comforting.
- Difficulty level: Easy to moderate.
- Why read it: For a feel-good journey, especially the Italian section on pleasure and food.
