Italian Neighbors, Or, a Lapsed Anglo-Saxon in Verona: Or a Lapsed Anglo-Saxon in Verona

A 10-year resident, with his Italian-born wife, of a village close to Verona, British-born novelist Parks ( Family Planning ) here celebrates the endearing and exasperating traits of his adoptive home and the ``magical duplicity'' of its people. The Parks' respect for tradition and local ways, aided by the birth of a boy, helped allay their neighbors' suspicions and win them acceptance and friendship. Along with delightful evocations of sights, sounds and smells and wryly amusing portraits of Italians (including the national genius for circumventing regulations), the author records the rhythms and moods of the village and observes the increasing encroachment of industrialization and consumerism. However, not everything has changed. He notes that ``perhaps the moon has more influence in Italy than back home. This would explain so much.'' (July)