Title: That Unbalanced Hoffmann Hand
Product review: If Italy and the Italian people are as bad as Paul Hoffmann makes them out to be in his "That Fine Italian Hand" then why has he been a non-Italian living in Italy for most of his life? His book focuses on the peculiarities and eccentricities of Italian life in a blatant attempt to make the Italians look like a nation of fools. Hoffman fails to balance descriptions with the other side of Italian life... that beautiful, colorful, lively and loving side that so many other cultures are lacking! Instead Hoffman describes ad nauseum some of the foibles of Italian life in an attempt to make the reader snicker. Hoffmann's book is ethnocentrism and cultural elitism at its worst. If the reader wants a honest look at Italian Life try Tim Park's "Italian Neighbors" instead. Parks is able to relate the ups and downs of Italian life as a non-Italian living in Italy. You will learn what it is about Italy that made Parks decide to stay in Italy and raise his children there.
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