SUMMARY:
"I resisted, but she drew me back. I stayed away, but she beckoned me. I distanced myself, but she haunted me. I even rejected her, but she did not abandon me..."
She Seduced Me is that rare book in which the reader becomes part of a magical world in which places, monuments and artists come alive through their stories. In this case, however, that world is Rome, and the reader becomes a participant in the ebb and flow of the city and gains insight into why so many have fallen in love with Rome despite its faults.
This work of nonfiction is divided into chapters in which the reader experiences aspects of art, culture, history and the present through the eyes of the writer and of the inhabitants of Rome, past and present. The journey commences with the reader accompanying the author who, standing in front of Michelangelo's Moses statue, mouth agape, almost hears the artist scream at his creation: "Speak!" From this an odyssey of wonder begins: what is the story behind the Trevi fountain, behind that rock in the middle of the Roman Forum, behind all those priests and nuns everywhere, behind everything one stumble upon, wonders about and takes selfies in front of? The quest is to uncover those stories.
Author and reader continue to explore the life in the piazzas, experience camaraderie with street performers, see history through all the senses, get lost in Rome, observe Americans and foreigners, discover unique places to eat, speak with Romans, explore the houses of Nero, Augustus and Livia, encounter Caravaggio and chats with expats. This work is a virtual tour through a magical city that educates and enthrals.
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MY REVIEW:
The title is rather intriguing. I expected a story about love in a physical sense. What I got was a combination of sensuous and sensual! Either way, I was drawn into an adventure of lust, adventure, mystery and seduction and I loved it! Rome is the seducer here and the book is a fascinating insight into a love affair between the author and the eternal city.
‘I was nineteen when I first visited Rome and though knowing only bits and pieces of ancient history, I found myself drawn in by its monuments, energy and magic.’
Mark Tedesco invites the reader to explore the enchanting streets of Rome, uncovering its beauty, hidden secrets and magic. From ancient to modern-day Rome, through floods, plagues, neglect, corruption, Kings, Emperors, Popes, Pagans, and Christians, the duly named ‘Eternal City’ has continued and the rest of the world has persisted in remaining in awe of it and likely will, for the next eternity or so. Beguiling, authentic and enduring. The author is in no doubt of its power to entice and charm.
We all know Rome or at least, most people have visited it once in their lives yet do we really know this city of timeless charm and irresistible allure? Reader.. You do not know Rome until you have read this book. The author skilfully combines his knowledge, research, and experience of Rome's culture, which is a mix of many influences, including religion, art, architecture, and daily life traditions from both past and present into a beautiful narrative.
The origins, occurrence, and consequences of historical buildings are set out in a way that clearly shows how each element leads into the next.
For example, The Baths of Caracalla (Italian: Terme di Caracalla) are one of Rome’s best tourist attractions, but they are only ruins now. Mark gives us the history so we have a sense of placement, the how, the who and the why.
“Any bust of Emperor Caracalla depicts him as a handsome man with an expression halfway between being constipated and pissed off. As a child, Caracalla was mean-tempered and spent much of his youth engaged in cock fighting, chariot racing, dancing and going to shows. In other words, a playboy!”
The baths which took over five years to build, demonstrate the engineering and planning skills of the ancient Romans. It served 8000 patrons a day in its heyday. Now, retaining only a fraction of their former opulence Mark imagines the sprawling complex, towering arches, imposing statues, the architecture, as it once was and leads us into the past with an imaginary conversation between two Roman senators as they wander from the caldarium to the tepidarium and then onto the frigidarium before a supper of grilled fish, lentil soup, baked cheese and roasting meats.
“My wife complains I spend too much time at the baths” says one. “That is the price of being the wife of a senator... if I did not come here every day, how would I know what the people are thinking and saying!”
This is a lovely touch. Mark’s skill in integrating real history into a fictional element involves a careful balance of factual accuracy and creative storytelling.
Each chapter takes an in-depth look at every aspect of Rome. From restaurants and people-watching to shop owners, saints and weirdos. Many cities have a history of street performers, buskers and vendors. Rome is no exception. Through vibrant interviews with street performers and locals, he skilfully illuminates the city's intricate architecture, diverse art scene, and the colourful tapestry of its people.
Far be it from me, a British expat to comment on the chapter about American tourists ( I am sure British tourists have their idiosyncrasies) but I can identify with the author’s satirical comments about how to spot tourists from the USA.
“Loud. That’s the first giveaway. Sneakers, baseball caps or cowboy hats. Baggy clothes, shorts. They don’t like paying for bottled water, always order French fries, and ask for the restroom instead of the toilet. Another American trait I have noticed in restaurants is that WE Americans tend to compare everything to the USA!”
The author's writing is characterised by its heartfelt and accessible nature. Mark has a unique style of frankness, sharp observations and does not hold back on his feelings. None more so than the chapter on Caravaggio, one of Italy’s most famous artists who painted the stories of the bible as visceral and often bloody dramas. Arrogant, rebellious and a murderer, the author puts the artist’s life into the context of today.
“Caravaggio went around with the modern equivalent of a motorcycle gang and surrounded himself with prostitutes, courtesans and hotheads. How could he look so clearly into the divine when his own life was so fucked up?”
Why I recommend this book
It is a blog, a memoir, a travel guide. It’s a journal of not only the author’s personal thoughts and feelings but also those born in Rome, and people who live and work there. What does it mean, to be a Roman? Is it a cultural identity or a nationality? The author interviews local people.
Lilli says ‘Romans are pragmatic. We are used to living with foreigners in our midst for thousands of years.
Sergio says, ‘We are open-minded and friendly but we are a little sly (furbo) when getting around the law’
The author’s evocative writing captures the essence of Rome, drawing readers into every aspect of life, religion, and historical significance. It is an exceptional and deeply personal account which meanders along the streets of Rome, describing the sights, the smells, the sounds, and the characters both ancient and modern. The author doesn’t create the facts, he uses the facts creatively.
There is a plan, but the author is quite happy to slip down a side road to show us something else that is interesting or tragic like The Jewish Quarter which housed immigrants for three centuries.
“I stop to see the commemorative stone plaque to the victims of the Nazi extermination and turn down a side street, where among the cobblestones in front of the houses, are names engraved in bronze of those who were forcibly removed and sent to concentration camps. 2000 Jews were sent to Auschwitz. Few survived and only 16 returned to Rome. I find myself caught up in the fear and tragedy of those days.”
The literary aperçus, the width and depth of the social, historical and geographical commentaries, and the clarity of the picture of Rome they conjure up uncover the contrasting sides of light and dark which is Rome. Beauty, decadence, magnificence, and innovation live side by side with atrocities, horror and persecution.
Each location tells a story, making Rome come alive through its monuments and the lives intertwined with them. The author's candid views inspire a deep appreciation for the city, making it a must-read for anyone looking to experience Rome's charm.
So why is it ‘eternal?’ One theory is that the ancient Romans believed that Rome would always remain standing, no matter what happened to the rest of the world. However, in his poem “Adonais” (1821) the English poet Percy Shelley refers to Rome as eternal due to the quality of timeless beauty that it holds. The author believes it to be more simple and less pretentious than either of those.
‘Rome is a collection of stories embedded in the buildings, ruins, people and hidden corners. The stories continue and for this reason, the city is eternal’
AUTHOR BIO:
Mark Tedesco is a writer and educator who splits his time between California and Italy. He lived in Rome for eight years and is passionate about crafting stories that bridge the gap between the present and the past, delving into the universal human desires seen in relationships, events, culture, and history.
Mark has written across a range of genres, including travel writing, historical fiction, memoirs, self-help, and children’s fiction. Some of his notable works include: "That Undeniable Longing," "I am John I am Paul," "Lessons and Beliefs," "The Dog on the Acropolis," and "Stories from Puglia." His book about Rome, "She Seduced Me: A Love Affair with Rome," is a testament to his enchantment with the city, blending history, personal narratives, and interviews into a captivating narrative.
Apart from writing, Mark is a devoted educator who takes pleasure in imparting his love for history, literature, and each individual's unique story to his students. In his free time, Mark enjoys travelling, with Rome holding a special place in his heart as he believes there are countless untold stories waiting to be discovered there.
https://www.marktedesco.com/
PUBLISHED BY:
Academia Publications (18 July 2024)
OTHER BOOKS BY THIS AUTHOR:
Stories From Puglia: Two Californians in Southern Italy
The Words of My Father
Onward: A Life on a Sailboat
Loving, Hoping, Believing
The Dog on the Acropolis
I am John I am Paul: A Story of Two Soldiers in Ancient Rome