Books To Read Before Visiting Rome
Before visiting Rome in October 2019, I picked out three books to read before my trip. I like choosing books from different genres and time periods with different points of view.
What I Read
Four Seasons in Rome* by Anthony Doerr
I chose this memoir because Doerr writes about his time living in Rome, and I thought I’d be able to relate to his experiences and observations as a fellow American living in Paris at the time. Doerr’s writing is beautiful and will give you a glimpse of what it’s like to live in a foreign country, specifically Rome.
North from Rome* by Helen MacInnes
Helen MacInnes wrote espionage “thrillers” from the 1940s to the 1980s. Her husband worked for MI6, which put her in close proximity to some good material, I’m sure. I enjoyed the time capsule moment of reading about espionage and Americans in Rome in the 1950s. I was most struck by them drinking iced coffee. The Italians were on to a good thing before the rest of the world, I think.
I, Claudius* by Robert Graves
This was a historical fiction classic I didn’t expect to enjoy as much as I did, but I loved it. The writing immersed me in the dangerous life in Emperor Augustus’s court. These were some treacherous, villainous people, and reading this book made walking in the Roman Forum and amongst the older places in Rome come alive.
Other Books I’ve Read
Gabriel Allon series by Daniel Silva - Several of the earlier books in this series* about Israeli spy Gabriel Allon have scenes that take place in Rome and specifically Vatican City. If you like fast-paced thrillers, you’ll get a strong sense of place for lots of European cities in this series.
The Heroes of Olympus* series by Rick Riordan - I have only read the first four books in this series, but if you remember the Percy Jackson series fondly you might enjoy these. I liked how Riordan moved from the Greek gods to their Roman counterparts, and I find stories a much easier way for me to remember which god has which powers. These books offer an easy way to keep your Roman mythology straight.
Julius Caesar* by William Shakespeare - If you like Shakespeare I’d definitely recommend reading this before walking through the Roman Forum and standing on the spot where Caesar’s funeral took place.
Romans, 1 and 2 Timothy by the Apostle Paul - If you plan to visit the Mamertine Prison, you might enjoy reading the letters Paul wrote while imprisoned behind these ancient stone walls.
What I’d Read Next
Claudius the God* by Robert Graves - If I were going back to Rome, I think I would definitely see what happened to Claudius when he unexpectedly becomes emperor of the Roman Empire.
Pictures from Italy* by Charles Dickens - A travelogue from Dickens! I wish I’d known this existed before my trip.
Italian Hours* by Henry James - I have yet to read Henry James, but I really do love travel memoirs from different time periods. It’s fun to compare my own travel experience to the experience of those decades before mine. I’m especially fascinated by the aspects of culture that stay the same years later.
For the Kids
If you plan to travel with kids, nothing sets them up for enjoying the trip more than reading stories and watching movies about your destination.
This is Rome* by M. Sasek - I love the classic, beautiful illustrations in this series! It will give your kids a visual of what they’ll be seeing and what to look for on their trip.
Detectives in Togas* by Henry Winterfield - This 1950s classic follows Roman schoolboys as they solve crimes around the capitol.
Kidnapped in Rome by Peter Reese Doyle - I haven’t read this one but found it in some of my husband’s childhood books. Mystery and adventure in Rome? It sounds like something I would have enjoyed as a middle-schooler.
Roman Diary* by Richard Platt - I read this with my daughter when she was studying world history in elementary school. We have the illustrated edition that tells the story of Iliona, a Greek girl captured and enslaved by Romans while on a voyage to Egypt with her family.
What would you add to the list? What books have you read that brought Rome alive for you?
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