Books And Movies Continue Library’s Italian Programs

During April, Connecticut Center for the Book and Friends of the C.H. Booth Library are co-sponsoring the World of Words (WOW) initiative. World of Words explores Connecticut’s literary and cultural roots while celebrating ethnic similarities and differences. C.H. Booth Library has chosen to feature the food, wine, art, cinema, and literature of sunny Italy. Upcoming programs include two book discussions and three films.

On Tuesday, April 20, at 7:30 pm, Italian author Luciana Contin will share her experiences as a young girl growing up in war ravaged Italy during World War II. In her book Chances and Choices, a partially fictionally account of her own life, she describes what it is like to live in Trieste both during the war and after. She will explain how she survived under fascist rule and then later under the Anglo-American administration of the Free Territory of Trieste.

From her poverty-stricken youth to her affluent life in Westport, Ms Contin’s main character is a survivor, and always does what is necessary to achieve her goals. This book is both a tribute to the strength of the human spirit as well as a historically significant firsthand account of the war experience from the perspective of a young girl.

The book discussion on Umberto Eco’s Name of the Rose slated for Thursday, April 29, at 7:30 pm, has all of the ingredients for a very enjoyable evening.

At first glance the novel does not seem to have wide appeal. With large chunks of text in Latin and numerous discussions of 14th Century religious controversies and political squabbles, the book appears intimidating. But once readers meet the protagonist, William of Baskerville, his bumbling side-kick and narrator of the story, Adso, and the body count quickly begins to mount, the book is enjoyed as a classic “who done it” albeit a murder mystery set in medieval times.

Denise Kaiser will be leading the discussion. She holds a PhD in medieval studies, and will shed some light on the historical and social events featured in Mr Eco’s novel.

Programs remaining in the series also include an Italian Film Festival featuring Cinema Paradisio on Friday, April 16, at 7 pm; and Roman Holiday on Friday, April 23, at 7 pm.

Young adults also have an opportunity to join WOW events. A Pizza Party on Thursday, April 22, beginning at 1 pm, will include a screening of the film The Lizzie Maguire Movie.

All programs are free. Registration is requested; call the library at 426-4533.