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cheryl6of8's review against another edition
3.0
First and foremost, this is NOT a travel book. I have read several travel books with the theme of a walk in a specific city. Those include descriptions of buildings and places both popular and well-hidden, accompanied by info about the people and events of history that are relevant to the locale. This book was multiple layers of history and philosophy (dating back to Roman and Byzantine Empires and including modern Italian history up through the end of World War 2) with occasional information about buildings and places.
Much of the book is dense reading and much of it focuses on lesser known historians and philosophers and kings of the past. There are discussions of literature, including one about William Faulkner. When the author compared Naples to the US Deep South in attitude of mourning for glories past and compelled to live in a country dominated by those who looked down upon that past, it resonated with me. Neither is a desirable tourist destination because both present as impoverished and superstitious. This book at least gave an understanding of Naples' history that made her flaws much more sympathetic and tolerable.
Finally, the thing I struggled with the most here was the author's casual frankness and acceptance of the habits of men he expresses great admiration for in these pages. Soecifically he excuses or shrugs at pederasty and child prostitution, seeming to find the behavior of no import compared to what he considered the genius of these men. And yet he gives sufficient detail of these activities for the reader to be sickened, apparently so he is not accused of ignoring that aspect of their life. For me, my passing interest in reading the works of Nornan Douglas will never be indulged now that I know of his abuse of children and my opinion of Malraux will not recover.
Much of the book is dense reading and much of it focuses on lesser known historians and philosophers and kings of the past. There are discussions of literature, including one about William Faulkner. When the author compared Naples to the US Deep South in attitude of mourning for glories past and compelled to live in a country dominated by those who looked down upon that past, it resonated with me. Neither is a desirable tourist destination because both present as impoverished and superstitious. This book at least gave an understanding of Naples' history that made her flaws much more sympathetic and tolerable.
Finally, the thing I struggled with the most here was the author's casual frankness and acceptance of the habits of men he expresses great admiration for in these pages. Soecifically he excuses or shrugs at pederasty and child prostitution, seeming to find the behavior of no import compared to what he considered the genius of these men. And yet he gives sufficient detail of these activities for the reader to be sickened, apparently so he is not accused of ignoring that aspect of their life. For me, my passing interest in reading the works of Nornan Douglas will never be indulged now that I know of his abuse of children and my opinion of Malraux will not recover.
heat_her's review
4.0
It is clear that Benjamin Taylor loves the city of Naples and put a lot of time and effort into the writing of Naples Declared (sixteen years of research and eleven stays in Naples, to be exact). He does write with passion, and in a clear and concise way. Included at the back of the book is Taylor’s list of sources for the historical information contained in Naples Declared, and I think I’ll be looking into some of those books before I read this one again. If you’re interested in learning more about Naples, Italy, I do recommend Taylor’s well researched and thorough account–but if you’re not already somewhat familiar with European/Italian history, be prepared to do a little extra research of your own while you’re reading Naples Declared.
Read my review in its entirety on Between the Covers...
Read my review in its entirety on Between the Covers...
bookadventurer's review
2.0
I received this book in a Goodreads giveaway.
I should have finished it a long, long time ago, and I meant to - I kept trying. But, while it is a very engaging history of Naples, I've discovered travel writing probably isn't for me.
The author brings Naples to life in concise vignettes about the people, the geography, and historical events, as he conducts his literary walk around the city and surrounding environs. I really liked the seeming randomness of the stories, and that they flow from one to the next with only loose connections, instead of as part of a more rigid organization like chronology.
While it wasn't for me, I would strongly encourage fans of travel writing and those interested in or curious about Naples and its peculiar culture to give it a shot. The writing is never dry, and the stories are unique. If you're thinking about visiting Naples, this book with its storytelling vibe may be a welcome change from practical guidebooks.
I should have finished it a long, long time ago, and I meant to - I kept trying. But, while it is a very engaging history of Naples, I've discovered travel writing probably isn't for me.
The author brings Naples to life in concise vignettes about the people, the geography, and historical events, as he conducts his literary walk around the city and surrounding environs. I really liked the seeming randomness of the stories, and that they flow from one to the next with only loose connections, instead of as part of a more rigid organization like chronology.
While it wasn't for me, I would strongly encourage fans of travel writing and those interested in or curious about Naples and its peculiar culture to give it a shot. The writing is never dry, and the stories are unique. If you're thinking about visiting Naples, this book with its storytelling vibe may be a welcome change from practical guidebooks.
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