Portland Public Library

Seven seasons in Siena, my quixotic quest for acceptance among Italy's proudest people, Robert Rodi

eng

contains biographical information

no index present

non fiction

Seven seasons in Siena

676726672

Robert Rodi

my quixotic quest for acceptance among Italy's proudest people

"Siena seems at first glance a typical Italian city: Within its venerable medieval walls the citizens sport designer clothes, wield digital phones, and prize their dazzling local cuisine. But unlike neighboring Florence, Siena is still deeply rooted in ancient traditions--chiefly the spectacular Palio, in which seventeen independent societies known as contrade vie for bragging rights in an annual bareback horse race around the central piazza. Into this strange, closed world steps Robert Rodi. An Chicago writer with few friends in town and a shaky command of conversational Italian, he couldn't be more out of place. Yet something about the sense of belonging radiating from the ritual-obsessed Sienese excites him, and draws him back to witness firsthand how their passionate brand of community extends beyond the Palio into the entire calendar year. Smitten, Rodi undertakes a plan to insinuate himself into this body politic, learn its ways, and win its acceptance"--Page 2 of cover

pt. 1. Summer 2003 -- Brucaioli -- Caterpillers -- pt. 2. Summer 2008 -- The four greens -- Arrival -- A painful extraction -- Luigina for lunch -- If you can't stand the heat -- pt. 3. Summer 2009 -- The debutants -- Out of pocket -- A lot of chianti, a little rosé -- Night owl -- pt. 4. Autumn 2009 -- Close encounters -- Summon the heroes -- Make jubilation -- History and legend -- Museum peace -- Deus ex machina -- My way -- Doubt -- pt. 5. Winter 2010 -- Warming trends -- "The Palio is dead" -- Intestinal fortitude -- Fish out of water -- Rectified -- pt. 6. Spring 2010 -- Winners/losers -- Ashen -- One day, two legends -- An uphill climb -- pt. 7. Summer 2010 -- Brucaiolo -- A caterpillar -- Epilogue -- Postscript