La Bella Lingua: My Love Affair with Italian, the World's Most Enchanting Language

I picked up La Bella Lingua in preparation for my first visit to Italy, but even those not planning to go to Italy will enjoy it. La Bella Lingua does for the history of the Italian language what Eats Shoots & Leaves does for English punctuation: Takes a seemingly dry linguistic topic and turns it into a page-turner. Talented writer Dianne Hales could make any subject entertaining!

As a languishing adult student of Italian, I am grateful for Sra Hales' book and envious of her linguistic and cultural accomplishments. Her enjoyment of all things Italian both in Italy and her native San Francisco area are generously shared with the reader. There are two improvements I would like to see in the next edition: More translations - a fair number of words weren't translated and, if possible, a glossary. I would also love a well-spoken unabridged audio version. PS. I've added Mastroianni's I Remember DVD to my Netflix list.

For anyone who has been enchanted by the always beautiful, often frustrating Italian language and tried to grasp its basics as well as its intricacies, Dianne's tales will not only ring true but also comfort you. From obscure word etymologies to entertaining anecdotes, La Bella Lingua will keep you turning pages, nodding along in agreement, laughing, and even learning--I picked up quite a few new words myself even though I've been living in Italy for six years now. And Dianne's writing? A sheer pleasure. Truly. La Bella Lingua is a *must* for any lover of the Italian language and assolutamente warrants five espresso cups out of five. ~ Michelle Fabio bleedingespresso.com