My friend, Barb, loaned me Mario Puzo’s "The Family" on cassette tapes. It was the first time I had ever listened to a book on tapes. It was convenient while driving to town or to WF to pop in a tape and listen to the story, but I think I would prefer to have the book in my hands. I wouldn’t mind having one of those Kinder Books, but I could potentially spend way too much money on something like that.
As for the story itself, "The Family" was very interesting. Apparently Puzo was fascinated by the Borgias and did quite a bit of research throughout his life on the family, but died before publishing his findings. Puzo considered Pope Alexander VI the first don and used much of the Pope’s story in his Mafia stories. I was pretty caught up in the story of the Borgias Family myself. Years ago when I read Samuel Shellabarger’s "Prince of Foxes," I was introduced to the Borgia family and was intrigued at that time. Although I had read of the corruption in the Catholic Church, it was the first that I had heard of a Pope having children. In "Prince of Foxes" Shellabarger had a character who was hired to see that the marriage of Pope Alexander’s daughter, Lucrezia, went through to the Alfonso d’Este, Duke of Ferrara. While in Italy (about 8 years ago) we visited the Caslte d’Este in Ferrara – it was fascinating, but we had not read "Prince of Foxes" at that time. Someday I would like to go back to Ferrara and see the castle again with new eyes and a bigger imagination. In fact after ready/hearing both books, there is lots I would like to go back to see in Italy. Plus, I need a new purse.
Here is a postcard of the Castlello Estense 
and a photo of Bo and Jesse on the balcony/wall of the castle.
6 comments:
"I wouldn’t mind having one of those Kinder Books..."
THAT made me smile, even though I KNOW you mean Kindle... right? But the idea/image of you seriously curled up with a Little Golden Book (or similar "kinder" fare) just tickled the hell out of me. ;-)
Your pics almost always light up the travel bug in me. I never spent much time in Italy, and that's probably something I should fix... even though I have no need for a purse.
I love listening to books on tape. My mother never read to me when I was a child, and I think books on tape fulfills a deep psychological need. I don't think I would like a Kindle. Too expensive, and I like feeling the paper as I read. I know, I'm weird.
Funny, I was just thinking about Ferrara yesterday...it had to do with the music channel I was watching and something about Vivaldi getting some of his compositions banned from the church there due to his ummm extracurricular activities. Regardless, he's still my fave composer. All the more so now with that knowledge. Anyway, after ypour son turned my eyes to Shellabarger I want to go to Italia so bad I can taste it, besides I need some new shoes.
Buck, I'm glad I made you smile although I am a bit red in the face. I wrote that and did not check to see if I had it right - always bites my butt when I don't take time to re-check things.
Becky, I'm not sure if I like books on tape - I like curling up with a book.
Piper, You would probably like "The Wedding Officer" - all about Italy and cooking.
We listen to books on tape all the time on our long drives to NM. When I drive, I have to put on music, I get too interested in the book and forget where I am going. :) Not good. We try to always get unabridged ones, so much better. The reader can make the book, too.
Several years ago a gal at my brothers said she used to read a book between Ft. Sumner and Albuquerque on the boring drive. Read while driving, excuse me?? I wonder if she is still alive or mangled anyone else.
Jo, I can see how the audio books could be a distraction while driving. As for reading while driving - no way!
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