Sentimental Economy by Edoardo Nesi

(Thank you to Other Press for providing me with a copy of this book!)

 

about book:

In a warm, perceptive essay that touches on economics, fashion, literature, and politics, the Strega Prize–winning author of Story of My People reflects on the seismic shifts of 2020 and the diverse ways we’re adapting.

Attempting to make sense of the incredible upheaval of 2020—from the devastating impact of COVID-19 to the sudden loss of his father—Edoardo Nesi considers the changing global economy and its effect on our lives. He shares the stories of Alberto Magelli, a small textile entrepreneur; Livia Firth, a prominent advocate for sustainability; Elisa Martelli, a young Sangiovese winemaker; Enrico Giovannini, a leading economist and statistician; Rino Pratesi, a proud butcher from the heart of Tuscany; and more.

From the overworked to the unemployed, we’re all grappling with difficult questions about our current disorienting world: Will we ever feel healthy again, and what will it take to regain “normality?” What does progress mean today? Have science and technology let us down? What will the increased prevalence of remote working mean for our cities, and for our lifestyles generally? Deftly weaving together the personal and the economic, Nesi takes us on a fascinating journey to understanding.

my thoughts:

Wow. Just, wow. Sentimental Economy by Edoardo Nesi is a beautiful read. I absolutely loved it.

Heartbreaking, haunting, and mesmerizing.  Nesi has written a book-length essay that tackles personal and current topics: COVID, Italy, economics, and the loss of his father. He looks at the ways in which the year 2020 has altered the course of the economy and society.  He writes about fashion, an industry in which his family has a personal stake.  He considers what the "potential of progress" means now that the future feels so unknown. And, he talks to his friends about it all - friends who work in a variety of fields: an economist, a screenwriter, and an industrialist. He listens to them as they express their thoughts about the ways in which the world is forced to evolve because of the pandemic and how it will affect their futures. It's fascinating, emotional, thought-provoking, and unputdownable. I found myself gripped by Nesi's words. His wit, his intelligence, and his talent shine through. 

Sentimental Economy is a must-read and I encourage everyone to get their hands on a copy ASAP!

Thank you to Other Press for providing me with a copy of this book!

Inifinite Summer: A Novel by Edoardo Nesi

OUT THIS WEEK (JULY 11th):

(Thank you to Other Press for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book:

Set in Tuscany in the Seventies, three men share a dream of building a textile factory from scratch, in a time and place when everything still seemed possible

Ivo Barrocciai, the son of a textile artisan and full of enthusiasm, embarks on a slightly over-ambitious undertaking: to build a large factory that will be “the envy of the Milanese.” He involves Cesare Vezzosi, a small building contractor, and Pasquale Citarella, a site foreman from Southern Italy, in the project. Their relationships with their wives, their secret passions, their ambitions and the compromises they have to make form a comical, moving fresco, a family saga, a love story—not only about people, but also about a flourishing nation rich with opportunity and promise.

my thoughts:

Italy during the 70s - what more could I want from a book, right? How about a story that is chock full of unforgettable characters from all walks of life who are filled with hopes and dreams, but flawed in every way imaginable.  Oh, and writing that is rich with creativity - the beauty of the prose drips from the pages and it sweeps you away to Tuscany with its glorious vividness.  Well, I got all of that and more from Edoardo Nesi's latest work, Infinite Summer. 

Talk about a must-read book for the summer!! I absolutely LOVED Infinite Summer.  I soaked up the descriptions of Italian life and culture with pleasure.  The smells, the sights, and the sounds came to life.  I could imagine myself walking around a piazza, eating gelato, and people-watching.  The sky is blue and cloudless, the air filled with life, and the flea market bustling with shoppers eyeing leather-bound journals and dazzling necklaces.  Its like I'm right there and I can't help but smile.  To be in Italy is to be in bliss. 

The story focuses on capitalism and the textile trade industry via three men: Ivo, Cesare, and Pasquale.  Ivo wants to build the largest textile manufacturing company in all of Tuscany.  He hires Cesare as the contractor and Pasquale as the foreman.  The two men are thrown into new terrain upon learning about Ivo's outlandish expectations for the building and his company.  And yet, through their hard work and determination the trio somehow manage to make things happen.  Its fascinating and eye-opening to learn about the "behind the scenes" machinations of creating and running a textile manufacturing company.  Of course, what makes it all so interesting are the people and their personal lives. Somehow, the personal always manages to intersect with the professional at some point.  I enjoyed getting to know Ivo, Cesare, and Pasquale through their relationships with each other, but mainly through their relationships with their loved ones.  It all made for quite a funny, captivating, and unputdownable read.  I absolutely LOVED Infinite Summer!!

I would happily recommend Infinite Summer by Edoardo Nesi to fans of his work and anyone looking for their next great summer read - you are going to LOVE this book!!




Thank you to Other Press for providing me with a copy of this book!