A review by chaotic_reading
Last Summer in the City, by Gianfranco Calligarich
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
“Rome was our city, she tolerated us, flattered us…I wouldn’t live anywhere else…there can be no half measures with her, because that’s what the tender beast demands, to be loved…if she’s loved, she’ll give herself to you whichever way you want her.”
Last Summer in the City by Gianfranco Calligarich is a character-driven narrative about Leo Gazarra and his love-affair with the city of Rome.
First published in 1973, Last Summer in the City eventually became an Italian classic - and it’s easy to see why. Calligarich writes perfectly the vibe of the famous Italian saying ‘dolce far niete’. This book reads like a love-letter to the city of Rome and an exploration of the human psyche and habits.
As a character, Leo is interesting to read about because he’s living in a constant state of limbo - nothing in his life is permanent. This makes his behaviour unstable and the plot of the story chaotic. I think this characterization perfectly incapsulates the unpredictability of life in general and society’s shared delusion that anything is 100% guaranteed.
Definitely one of my fav books this year - 5✨ read, and I will also be adding the publishing house FSG to my list of publishers I trust.
Last Summer in the City by Gianfranco Calligarich is a character-driven narrative about Leo Gazarra and his love-affair with the city of Rome.
First published in 1973, Last Summer in the City eventually became an Italian classic - and it’s easy to see why. Calligarich writes perfectly the vibe of the famous Italian saying ‘dolce far niete’. This book reads like a love-letter to the city of Rome and an exploration of the human psyche and habits.
As a character, Leo is interesting to read about because he’s living in a constant state of limbo - nothing in his life is permanent. This makes his behaviour unstable and the plot of the story chaotic. I think this characterization perfectly incapsulates the unpredictability of life in general and society’s shared delusion that anything is 100% guaranteed.
Definitely one of my fav books this year - 5✨ read, and I will also be adding the publishing house FSG to my list of publishers I trust.
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicide, Drug use, and Alcoholism