Home Feed
Home
Search
Search
Add Review, Blurb, Quote
Add
Activity
Activity
Profile
Profile
Naples '44
Naples '44: A World War II Diary of Occupied Italy | Norman Lewis
1 post | 1 read | 5 to read
Now a documentary narrated by Benedict Cumberbatch: This memoir of the Italian city after Nazi occupation sings like poetry (ThePlain Dealer). As a young man with a gift for linguistics, Norman Lewis was assigned to the British Intelligence Corps Field Security Service, tasked with reforming civil services, dealing with local leaders, and keeping the peace in places World War II had devastated. After a near-disastrous Allied landing at Salerno, Italy, Lewis was stationed in the newly liberated city of Naples. But bringing the city back to life was unlike anything he had been prepared for. Much of the populace was far from grateful, stealing anything they could, not only from each other but also from those sent to help them. Local vendettas and endless feuds made discerning friend from Nazi collaborator practically impossible, and turned attempts at meting out justice into a farce. And as the deprivations grew ever harsher, a proud and vibrant people were forced to survive on a diet of prostitution, corruption, and a desperate belief in miracles, cures, and saviors. But even through the darkness and chaos, Lewis evokes the essential dignity of the Neapolitan people, their traditions of civility, courage, and generosity of spirit, and the indefatigable pride that kept them fighting for life during the greatest calamity in human history. And with his detached British wit, Lewis finds the absurdity in almost any situation. A masterpiece of a memoir, Naples 44 is the heartbreaking, humorous, and starkly human account of the true cost of war as seen through the eyes of a young, untested man who would never again look at his world the same way.
Amazon Indiebound Barnes and Noble WorldCat Goodreads LibraryThing
Pick icon
100%
review
andrew61
post image
Pickpick

#LitsyClassics - N
This is exceptional travel writing. The author, an intelligence officer in newly invaded Italy 1943/44 describes with wonderfully descriptive writing people surviving the indignities of war. The stories told are humourous,touching, +most of all his love of the country shines thru. I heard abt the book when don mccullen was on r4 gr8 lives programme describing lewis + i loved this book. 5*⏬

andrew61 Anyone who has read elena ferrantes wonderful stories of post war naples would probably enjoy this book and it would make a good companion read. 6y
DrexEdit Interesting. It's on my list to finish up the Ferrantes novels this year. I might add this to the list! 😊 6y
Nute I‘m currently still collecting the set of Ferrantes novels before I start reading them. I have the first two so far. I think I‘ll make this book part of the set purchases and possibly read it first. It sounds very interesting. Thanks for the suggestion. 6y
andrew61 @Nute i hope you enjoy ☺ 6y
andrew61 @DrexEdit hope you enjoy ☺ 6y
42 likes2 stack adds5 comments