Overview:
In 1972 on a long summer vacation in a near-empty apartment; in September 1987 to track down the designer Valentino; in 2013 for a winter’s stay which – somehow – finds the author entering one of the most astonishing secret places in the world: three eras, three different approaches, but clearly all from the same hand. As original and provocative as ever, Duncan Fallowell takes the reader through his personal experience of the city on an eerie spiral of romance and comedy and wonder. This is Rome as you’ve never read it before
___________________________________________________________
Review:
Three Romes records Fallowell's visits to the Eternal City in 1972, 1987 and 2013. Part one reminded me of Jack Kerouac: rambling, conceptual, and slightly hazy. It felt ripped from Fallowell's diary. He was the intended audience. Part two reads as an article, perhaps for the Life & Style section for the Wall Street Journal. Part three lands somewhere between the two. An established writer taking notes for himself, to use for a later published work.
Personally, I enjoyed the 2013 piece the most. Fallowell seems to have hit his stride; producing a piece that is atmospheric, suspenseful, engaging, and masterful. It was the only piece that really exudes 'Rome' for me. 1972 was a very individualized experience. An excellent example of creative writing, but not necessarily relatable. 1987 was interesting, but said little about Rome or Italy.
No comments:
Post a Comment