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Michelle Damiani
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Il Bel Centro: A Year in the Beautiful Center Paperback – Illustrated, July 2, 2015

by Michelle Damiani (Author)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 649 ratings
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A witty and warm-hearted memoir of abandoning fast-paced American days in favor of discovering the Italian secrets of food, community, and life.

Moving across the globe meant Michelle Damiani soon found herself untangling Italian customs, delighting in glorious regional cuisine (recipes included), and creating lasting friendships. From grandmothers eager to teach the ancient art of pasta making, to bakers tossing bread into fiery ovens with a song, to butchers extolling the benefits of pork fat, Il Bel Centro is rich with captivating characters and cultural insights.

Throw in clinking glasses of Umbrian red with the local communists and a village all-nighter decorating the cobblestone streets with flower petals; as well as embarrassing language minefields and a serious summons to the mayor’s office, and you have all the ingredients for a spellbinding travel tale.

Exquisitely observed, Il Bel Centro is an intimate celebration of small town Italy, as well as a thoughtful look at raising a family in a new culture and a fascinating story of finding a home. Ultimately though, this is a story about how travel can change you when you’re ready to let it.

With laugh-out-loud situations and wanderlust-inspiring storytelling, Il Bel Centro is a joyous and life-affirming read that will have readers rushing to renew their passports.

“This is one of the most beautiful book I’ve ever read.”

“I absolutely couldn’t get enough of this book.”

“This book made me want to pack my bags.”

“I loved, loved this book. Fabulously written, engaging, and entertaining.”

“A magical read.”

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Previous page
  1. Print length
    478 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    July 2, 2015
  4. Dimensions
    6 x 1.2 x 9 inches
  5. ISBN-10
    0692480110
  6. ISBN-13
    978-0692480113
  7. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

Editorial Reviews:

"A realistic look into what happens when you uproot your family to immerse yourself in a foreign culture, attempting to raise kids in an unfamiliar environment."--Huffington Post's list of "Ten Fascinating Books about Living in a Foreign Country", August 2016

"If you can't get yourself to Italy for an extended stay, Il Bel Centro is a worthy substitute. Highly recommended." --Michelle Fabio, Bleeding Espresso, reviewing for Spring 2016 issue of Ambassador, the magazine of the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF)

"Il Bel Centro reads in many ways like a romance novel. In this case it is the author who falls in love with a country and way of life...It is a grand book..."--PRIMO magazine, October, 2016

Reader Reviews:

"A magical read."

"I absolutely couldn't get enough of this book."

"I was instantly transported to Italy."

"This is one of the most beautiful books I've ever read."

"Could not put it down."

"I could smell the freshly baked bread, taste the local wine, and if I closed my eyes I could easily see the sloping hills, the pink stones of Spello, the 'alley ladies' with their basket of vegetables to sort and their easy chatter."

"I just want more."

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Rialto Press; Illustrated edition (July 2, 2015)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 478 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0692480110
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0692480113
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.54 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 1.2 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 649 ratings

About the author

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Michelle Damiani

Michelle Damiani

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Michelle Damiani is a writer living in Spello, Italy. She is the author of "Il Bel Centro: A Year in the Beautiful Center", a memoir of moving to an Umbrian village with three children and two cats. To encourage other families to leap into the arms of adventure, she gathered 36 traveling families to share their practical tips and experiences and wove them together in "The Road Taken: How to Dream, Plan, and Live Your Family Adventure Abroad." Her life in Italy later inspired the "Santa Lucia" novels, which delve into the rumors and romance that bloom in a village cafe. She continues Italian world-building with the "Murder in an Italian Village" cozy mystery series, set in her beloved Umbria.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
649 global ratings
A must read if you are planning a stay in Umbria region of Italy
5 Stars
A must read if you are planning a stay in Umbria region of Italy
I am staying in Spoleto, located in the less touristed Umbria region ofItaly for the month of April. On a day trip to Spello, I came across its book in a small shop. The owner told me how the author and her family came from virginia, USA, to live in Spello for 1 year to experience the Italy they loved! I downloaded the Kindle version and began reading about their life in Italy. I am so glad I did as my friends and I gained a huge amount of important information that helped us experience Italy with much more insight, being able to plan our side trips using Michelle's info from the book!!!! We even went so far as to add visiting Dwight and Raphael, owners of the Paolini and Stanford Cantina Winery near Offida on our way back from a wonderul visit to the Adriatic Sea. They were so gracious, showing the bed and breakfast and explaining their comment to organic wine, with as little artificial disturbance to the grapes, etc. By the way, Dwight said he was still waiting for his copy of the book! We also experienced Ascoli, Bevagna Todi, the giant celery, and many festivals,etc!!! Even yestetday we were experiencing gelayo yet again and overheard some Amrrican travelers st the nect table. After exchanging all our USA conections, i gave the the information on how to get Il Bel Centro as it would be such a grest resource for their time in Umbria, slso!!Thank you, Michelle for the added dimension you gave our wonderful stay in Umbria!!! Chiao!
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Top reviews from the United States

Andrea
5.0 out of 5 stars Bello Spello! A Year-Long Stay in Italy's Beautiful Center (Through Michelle's Words)
Reviewed in the United States on August 9, 2015
Verified Purchase
In the book, Michelle discusses the problems with "must-sees" when traveling, so I'll refrain from referring to this as a "must-read" :) but I'll tell you this - I originally read every post of her blog, then read the book cover-to-cover on vacation, and upon finishing went right back to the beginning to start again. It is that dimensional and colorful - I feel like I'm reading or learning something new every time. I have a mild obsession with expat blogs and journals, and while this shone such a beautiful light on her family's experience living in Italy for a year, it was also a very realistic and honest narrative. She has a wit and sarcasm about her that is so refreshing and humorous, making for such a fun and beautiful read. Pour yourself an espresso or Aperol spritz and order this book - then pour several more while reading it! I'm so glad to have learned about the town called Spello and definitely hope to visit one day! P.S. Michelle includes recipes, and the cover photo is absolutely stunning - worth it to purchase the physical book!
2 people found this helpful
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travelingnana
5.0 out of 5 stars An emotional and informative story on so many levels
Reviewed in the United States on July 8, 2018
Verified Purchase
My husband and I have been to Italy many times over the past 20 years. We are retired now and love spending a week or two in an apartment just enjoying the relaxation, the food and culture, and the vibe of an Italian town. Last summer we were in Spoleto which is not far from Spello. I'm now more motivated than ever to spend a month or more in one place to really get to know a town and its people. I loved this book for many reasons. First of all, Michelle is a very talented observer and writer. She can capture the smallest idea or observation in the most beautiful words. I enjoyed all her comments about the differences in culture between our two countries. I smiled to myself many times, thinking, "yes, that's exactly what I would expect". On a deeper level, I am taking away many ideas for my own self improvement. I seem to share some characteristics with Michelle which have held me back over the years, a certain level of insecurity and thinking that what I do or how I say something has to be perfect before I can put myself out there. In the comfort and acceptance of the warm and loving friends they made in Spello, Michelle and her daughter Siena gain confidence and a new way of looking at themselves. There is a lot to absorb in this book. I wish I had highlighted more passages than I did so that I could go back to them and let them sink in more deeply. There is so much more to this book than the normal whimsical account of things going wrong in an Italian town -- Bravo on a top-notch account of being an ex-pat for a year. This is a book to be savored and contemplated while allowing yourself to daydream!
4 people found this helpful
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Ken Pollard
4.0 out of 5 stars Read it and relax
Reviewed in the United States on March 30, 2016
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A good read. By the end, I felt that I knew the author, her family, the neighbors, and the town. I have been interested in Italy for years, read many books about Italy, and have been learning the language. As an aside, Italian words, then phrases, then sentences get sprinkled into the text as the story progresses. These were pleasant little nuggets of deciphering for me, and I would work on them mentally before moving onto the English translation which followed directly.

I don’t know if I’ll ever get to Italy, and I certainly won’t live there for a year. If I did, though, I’d want it to be as the author presents it in this book.

Her approach to the text is nearly conversational, which works in this case. There are a few cringe-worthy moments, particularly early on as she found her footing, but she kept these in awkward moments in, much to her credit. Probably anyone who has had children will sympthathize, with our own less-than-stellar moments in our past. By the end of the book, she has learned to relax and enjoy life in a much better frame of mind. It appears that both she and her family grew tremendously from their time in Spello, and it altered the trajectory of their lives.

I read this book on an older black-and-white Kindle. The photos are much better in color, which I could see on another device, but this should not detract anyone from buying the book. A photo was placed at the beginning of each chapter, and was not integral to the story.

If you are interested in this topic at all, buy the book and read it. You’ll learn something.
3 people found this helpful
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Cliente Amazon
5.0 out of 5 stars il bel centro di amore pani ed accoglienze
Reviewed in Italy on June 3, 2017
Verified Purchase
Michelle una grande artista che passeggiando di qua e di là, per l'Umbria ha colto sfumature a noi autoctoni ancor sconosciute.Grazie e complimenti il libro è bellissimo e ci son alcune delle migliori cucine ,assolutamente.Bravissima
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Wendy Taylor
5.0 out of 5 stars ... can honestly say that this is one of the best books I have read about Italy
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 6, 2017
Verified Purchase
I can honestly say that this is one of the best books I have read about Italy. I have loved Italy and all things Italian since my first visit as a child 50 years ago and have read many books about the country, both fiction and non-fiction. Michelle writes so well about living there for a year, the reader really feels that they know each member of the family and each Italian person that they come across. It is unlike any other book about moving to Italy. Michelle tells her story so eloquently, I really felt I was there every time I picked up the book. I enjoyed it from beginning to end and was only sorry when I finished it! There are some lovely recipes included too.
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Melanie
5.0 out of 5 stars Written in a diary format makes for an easy read, contrary to what other readers have found
Reviewed in Canada on July 31, 2016
Verified Purchase
I bought this book for my husband's birthday but finished it before he did as I couldn't put it down. It is vivid and thoughtful and makes me want to drop everything and take a chance on living our dream. Written in a diary format makes for an easy read, contrary to what other readers have found. The book feels honest and authentic about the highs and lows of making a new life and"fitting in". Her family was lucky to experience this together, I would recommend this to anyone thinking of travelling to Umbria, which is amazing, making a change or just wanting a good book to read on their deck with a good cup of coffee!
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Barbara A Marquand
5.0 out of 5 stars Friendship
Reviewed in Australia on January 12, 2017
Verified Purchase
I have throughly enjoyed the journey of a year in Spello with Michelle & her family. We spent a month in Umbria earlier this year and the story brought back fond memories plus gave me an even greater appreciation for this part of Italia. Michelle shared her angst & self discovery so honestly that I felt I was hearing the story as a friend. Having lived in Italy many years ago & having spent time exploring the country more recently I could relate to so many of the things Michelle wrote about.
A lovely story Michelle, thank you for the opportunity to enjoy your year in Spello.
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Amazon customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Worth Every Penny- Thank you Michelle!
Reviewed in India on September 21, 2015
Verified Purchase
Il Bel Centro brings sunshine on a gloomy day. It is like spots of happiness on your paperback/kindle. Michelle has done an excellent job of bringing ITALY to us readers. I have been fascinated and in love with Italy since years now and I think this book heightened it any more. I am grateful this book in my life. It was right at the time when I was missing my Umbrian trip. Thanks Michelle, I have learnt so many things that I probably would have learnt later on..And you know once the book was over, I felt like a lost friend. It was sad to think that I wouldn't read more about Spello.. I felt like after a year of staying there, I LEFT SPELLO WITH YOU. Thank you for everything and for such a deep heartwarming writing. For bringing Spello in my life. I can't wait to visit that town already.!!

PS- This book will give you instant wanderlust to hop on a plane too Italy. Beware ;-)
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