A rainy day in Orvieto

It’s always a pleasure to go back to Italy – it’s an inexhaustible source of sightseeing, good food and lively cities, where modern life coexists with the plentiful signs of past civilizations.

This time, we started by visiting Orvieto, a small but beautiful city perched on top of a volcanic hill, reached by a funicular from the train station. We stayed at a very nice B&B (SantAngelo 42) and had a wonderful dinner at Osteria da Mama Angela.

The rainy and cloudy weather kept us from enjoying the views from the hill, but we could still explore the narrow cobbled streets and the main sights of the city.

The main sight par excellence is undoubtedly the Duomo, Orvieto’s cathedral. It’s one the most beautiful cathedrals in Italy – and that’s quite something – a massive Gothic building, huge considering the city’s size (but then it was once a Papal residence). The façade is very original, being not only sculpted but also painted. The interior is dazzling, vast and with a beautifully decorated chapel, painted by Lucca Signorelli.

There are plenty of lovely squares, narrow streets, nice cafés and tourist shops, including with doubtful taste pottery. Piazza del Popolo, the tower, the market place, are all beautiful.

Then we visited Orvieto underground, a most interesting experience. The hill under the city is all excavated since Etruscan times, and the caves were in use until the 19th century. There are caves and wells dug in the soft volcanic rock – pozzolana – where they used to keep pigeons, make olive oil, store water, etc. The tour is very informative and takes us back in time.

I never get tired of these small Italian cities, they're all so beautiful and full of History and art! And there are SO many of them.

The Three Body Problem, by Cixin Liu

A great Sci-Fi book, as I hadn't read in a very long time. Accurate science and big questions wrapped in a thrilling plot with interesting characters. Looking forward to read the next books in the series.

La Vie Lente, de Abdellah Taïa

I think this is the best book by Taïa I read so far. As usual, his melancholic tone and his beautiful writing are moving and engaging, the characters believable, and the story strong and thought provoking. And unlike in some of his other novels, this time I liked the ending, I think it really works.

Giovanni's Room, by James Baldwin

I don't know why it took me so long to read something by James Baldwin, since I've heard of his writing for ages, always referred to in the most favourable terms, from sources I trust. But in a way it was a good thing - I always love to discover great books, and fortunately there is really a never ending supply of them.

Because this is a great book, and the author in undeniably a superb writer. Right from the beginning, I felt positively enchanted, mesmerized by the beautiful writing, the smooth succession of words and sentences. And then there's the story, and the characters, so real and heartbreaking. It's a beautiful love story, and a perfect depiction of human feelings, doubts, complexities and contradictions.

So, I was really impressed by Baldwin, and hope to read more of his work.