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mabusecast's review against another edition
5.0
A very good non-fiction overview of Italian film, culture, fashion, and famous figures in the immediate post world war 2 years! I will say the parts of this book about the fashion scene in Italy wasn't really of that much interest to me personally but everything else the book covered was very interesting and well written!
The parts of this book covering Fellini and company were really well done and I loved the lengthy section that is devoted to the making of the Fellini movie "La dolce vita" (1960)!
The parts of this book covering Fellini and company were really well done and I loved the lengthy section that is devoted to the making of the Fellini movie "La dolce vita" (1960)!
andtheitoldyousos's review against another edition
3.0
Uneven, but enjoyable- interesting topic delivered in an unorganized way by a narrator who sounds like they're delivering the news on a gas station TV (full review to follow)
anniew415's review against another edition
5.0
Fun, breezy read about a great moment in cultural history... Really enjoyed it!
amandapercy's review against another edition
5.0
Who are the papparazzi and where did they come from? Before Paris and Lindsey, Levy walks the reader through a time in history pre-papparazzi, where divorce was not only a gossip scandal but could mean you being thrown out of your country. When Rome cinema was bigger than Hollywood, where celebrities shot up from post war Europe to wearing the latest Italian fashions. To a country trying to bring itself out of financial difficulty, one movie at a time. Loved this book and highly recommend to anyone interested in cinema, fashion and the rise of celebrity culture.
jlmb's review against another edition
3.0
A hodgepodge of various information, linked by location. This book covers what happened culturally in Rome from 1945 to about 1963, mainly focusing on the movie and fashion worlds. There is a smattering of stories about race cars, crimes, politics, high society, music, art and literature. Reading this book made me want to read more about a lot of different people and subjects briefly mentioned.
Apparently I've seen more Italian movies from the 1950's and 60's than I thought I had. Levy has the tendency to summarize in too much detail the plots of various movies. Quite often I found myself realizing, "Oh yeah, I've seen that!" Most I saw in my teens and twenties. I wonder what I'd think of them now, 30+ years later. Maybe I'd actually like Antonioni now instead of finding him dull and insufferably tedious?
I wish there had been more about the fashion world, especially about Pucci and Valentino. Wow, Pucci was quite the well-rounded gentleman! He really led a charmed life. Must find a biography of him in order to learn more.
I can see this book being painfully dull if you don't have an interest in the arts, especially movies. But if that scene is your cup of tea, then I think this book hits the spot.
#Popsugar Reading Challenge 2020 A book set in a city that has hosted the Olympics
Apparently I've seen more Italian movies from the 1950's and 60's than I thought I had. Levy has the tendency to summarize in too much detail the plots of various movies. Quite often I found myself realizing, "Oh yeah, I've seen that!" Most I saw in my teens and twenties. I wonder what I'd think of them now, 30+ years later. Maybe I'd actually like Antonioni now instead of finding him dull and insufferably tedious?
I wish there had been more about the fashion world, especially about Pucci and Valentino. Wow, Pucci was quite the well-rounded gentleman! He really led a charmed life. Must find a biography of him in order to learn more.
I can see this book being painfully dull if you don't have an interest in the arts, especially movies. But if that scene is your cup of tea, then I think this book hits the spot.
#Popsugar Reading Challenge 2020 A book set in a city that has hosted the Olympics
raquelstecher's review against another edition
4.0
1950s Rome was the epicenter of culture: fashion, film, luxury cars, Vespas, race car driving, celebrity and paparazzi. How did a city in ruins after the destruction of WWII transform itself into the epitome of glamour and fame? The answer to this is found in Shawn Levy's book Dolce Vita Confidential. In the book Levy paints the picture of postwar Italy and how luck, good timing and lots of talent transformed how the world saw Italy and how Italy saw itself.
Full review here: http://www.outofthepastblog.com/2016/12/dolce-vita-confidential.html
Full review here: http://www.outofthepastblog.com/2016/12/dolce-vita-confidential.html
oddandbookish's review against another edition
4.0
I received this book for free through Goodreads' First Reads.
This isn't a book I would typically pick up, but I still enjoyed it. It was really fun learning about Rome in the 50's. I had no idea it was that crazy. The author's writing style was very engaging, making it a pleasurable read.
Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn more about Rome during this time period.
This isn't a book I would typically pick up, but I still enjoyed it. It was really fun learning about Rome in the 50's. I had no idea it was that crazy. The author's writing style was very engaging, making it a pleasurable read.
Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn more about Rome during this time period.