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Dances with Luigi: A Grandson's Search for His Italian Roots
In this spirited memoir, veteran TV journalist Paul Paolicelli does what many of us can only dream of--he picks up and moves to a foreign country in an attempt to trace his ancestral roots. With the help of Luigi, his guide and companion, he travels through Italy--Rome, Gamberale, Matera, Miglionico, Alessandria, even Mussolini's hometown of Predappio--and discovers the tragic legacy of the Second World War that is still affecting the Old Country. He visits ancient castles and village churches, samples superb Italian cuisine, haggles at the open air market at Porta Portese, enjoys and Alessandria siesta, and frequents "coffee bars", where beggars discuss politics with affluent Italian locals. He finds lost-lost cousins during the day and performs with an amateur jazz group during the night. Along the way, he discovers deeply moving stories about his family's past and learns answers to question that have plagued him since childhood.
More that just a spiritual account of one man's ancestral search, Dances With Luig i is also a stunning portrait of la bella Italia --both old and new--that is painted beautifully in all of its glamour, history, and contradiction.
More that just a spiritual account of one man's ancestral search, Dances With Luig i is also a stunning portrait of la bella Italia --both old and new--that is painted beautifully in all of its glamour, history, and contradiction.
320 pages, Paperback
First published April 10, 2000
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
March 14, 2012
A beautifully written book about Mr. Paolicelli's search for his roots. I had the honor of hearing Paul Paolicelli speak about his experience and I knew I had to read his book. Having grandparents who came to America from Italy, it was easy to relate to his frustrations, little triumphs and contact with family members that he did not know. It was also interesting to realize that many of us hold the customs of Italy so dear and pass these down to the next generation. His book is not just filled with his search, but also the history of a few areas in Italy. I think anyone who had family who courageously came to America would enjoy reading Paul Paolicelli's account of his search. I am anxiously awaiting his next book.
September 6, 2023
I'm glad I read this. An interesting exploration of searching for Italian roots and grandparents, mostly post-WWII. A great description of working through and past regrets and stereotypes. And a nice meditation on how we learn as we go along and are often so much smarter as we age!
September 18, 2018
Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Maybe because I'm part Italian or because I understand the authors passion about family and heritage.
August 4, 2014
I picked this book up on a whim from a display table at the library. As the granddaughter of an Italian immigrant, the author's journey to find the history of his own Italian ancestors interested me. I, too, lived in Rome while I was in college so I really enjoyed his descriptions of his encounters as an American living in Italy. I could relate to his experiences meeting his relatives as I traveled to Sicily, and later to Sardinia with my husband, to meet my extended family who had not seen any American relatives in 40 years. At times it was hard to keep straight the different relatives the author was looking for in the various places he went, but the book overall is a quick, enjoyable read. It made me wish that I had learned more about my own grandparents' backgrounds before they died, because like the author's family, there was so much left unsaid that unfortunately died with them.
October 14, 2007
This account of an Italian-American journalist's impressively dedicated and thorough quest to find out about his Italian roots is pretty interesting in a lot of ways, especially in discovering some of the local truths and horrors of WWII fascist government and occupation, and the conditions of Southern Italy that have help contribute to long standing disparaging of southerners as a stupid, backwards people.
I wasn't that into his writing style, which struck me as too text-book how-to-write-a-memoir (especially his dialog, although, to be fair, he's not only remembering/making up past conversations, but rendering them into English, when, for the most part, they were said in Italian), but his journey was definitely an interesting one, especially to those of us who share some of the heritage he is discovering.
I wasn't that into his writing style, which struck me as too text-book how-to-write-a-memoir (especially his dialog, although, to be fair, he's not only remembering/making up past conversations, but rendering them into English, when, for the most part, they were said in Italian), but his journey was definitely an interesting one, especially to those of us who share some of the heritage he is discovering.
January 17, 2015
The author has published what is essentially a diary of his travels to Italy in search of his ancestors, and his grandfather in particular. He spent three years in and around Rome and his story is interesting in and of itself. Luigi is his in-country "guide" and occasional translator and the two of them interact as influenced by the search for records and places.
This is not a travelogue as such, nor does it spend a lot of time detailing scenery, although there are nice descriptions of both scenery and people. Overall, it is an easy read and interesting to people who may have encountered similar trips in search of ancestry.
This is not a travelogue as such, nor does it spend a lot of time detailing scenery, although there are nice descriptions of both scenery and people. Overall, it is an easy read and interesting to people who may have encountered similar trips in search of ancestry.
August 13, 2013
I loved this book. I loved it so much that I followed up with Paul Paolicelli's Under the Southern Sun which nicely explains to be from Il Mezzogiorno.
I highly recommend this to anyone considering tracing their ancestry back to the country of origin. This is for any person in the USA who may be a third or second generation of an immigrant family, I highly recommend this read. Lovely, loving and moving family story. Che Bella Storia!
I highly recommend this to anyone considering tracing their ancestry back to the country of origin. This is for any person in the USA who may be a third or second generation of an immigrant family, I highly recommend this read. Lovely, loving and moving family story. Che Bella Storia!
January 17, 2016
A very good book. I read it in small parcels because of my unfamiliarity with Italy - it took me a while to let all the names and places and events sink in. My husband's family name was mentioned in conjunction with the author's family name all throughout the book which was an extra special treat. I wish I had the kind of time and bankroll that this author has (had) in order to travel and resurrect family information. A very enjoyable read.
November 24, 2012
The author goes back to Italy and tries to discover his Italian roots on both sides of his family. It is a fascinating voyage with very authentic portrayals of rural Italy and its customs and inhabitants, all of woven together with the family on the US side, which had lost contact with the Italian side. Well done.
December 7, 2012
This book is about my families homeland Gamberale Italy. I've actually emailed Paul before and he knows my uncles Michaelangelo and Valentino from Pittsburgh. Fantastic read and explains why many of our families immigrated from Italy before and after WWII.
September 6, 2008
The author searches for his roots in southern Italy, recounting his experiences and the dozens of people he met along the way.
September 8, 2008
A friend of mine sent me this book in the mail because the name Bucci came up more than once. A great read for those wanting to learn more about their Italian roots.
February 11, 2009
This I read first. A genealogist's dream, and reality.
March 3, 2011
great read about an American journalist moving to Italy to research his ancestral roots
December 5, 2010
This book is a autobiographical and tiringly self-focussed at times, but in the end I liked it and thought the author had grown because of his quest.
August 1, 2014
As a 3rd generation, half Italian-American, I enjoyed reading this story of the author's determined search for his roots in Italy. It made me want to write my own story.
March 16, 2016
This is the kind of book I love. Family history and travel, written beautifully.
Bravo, Paolo!
Bravo, Paolo!
November 12, 2020
A beautiful memoir of a man who travels back to Italy in order to find his roots. Funny in places and sad in others.
March 18, 2009
I didn't finish this book. I just lost interest.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews