To address my concern, I wanted to go back to my journalism roots. What's better than to interview the/a person who clearly experienced the same relationship with Rome (about 20-some years ago), and while doing so, get back on the writing train by writing an article. And so, I got in contact with Alan Epstein, the author of the above mentioned book.
Since I read his book, however, I began to think of what it is like for someone in their native land always having foreigners write about their country - a topic which I regretfully didn't cover with Alan. He is an American expatriate who transplanted himself to Rome and wrote a great collection of short stories that anyone who passes through Rome - or staying for an extended amount of time - would appreciate. And as the title of the book suggests, it is about his family's adventure from the U.S. and learning the way of the Romans, through American eyes. Because this is a book based on experience of several years living here, and has some researched information, it may give some answers to travelers who didn't know they necessarily had the questions. Hence, a native could overall be satisfied that someone so in love with their country is guiding others in a more-informative direction.
Either way, Epstein wanted to share his love of a place with people (regretfully beating me to it... along with how many other authors!). Oh well, for now, back to my roots,here is my article!
Acclaimed author speaks of book success, politics and a second home
His bestseller As the Romans Do: an American Family’s Italian Odyssey has been spreading the word on interesting, often laughable, differences of quirky Italian life through an American’s eyes for eight years.
“I think it speaks to people. It tells them what it’s like to experience
The book can be found in one of
“It’s an honored feeling, very vital in the sense of having written something in such a profound way that people will pick up and move to Rome,” Epstein responded of some students’ actions. “It gives a sense of solidarity, a sense of support to people – a group of strangers – out to experience the pleasures and uniqueness, and charm. It fills me with great pleasure. It makes me understand why I wrote it. It’s been that influential.”
Epstein’s book was published around four years after he moved to the
“I think he wanted to experience his native culture. He feels Roman in the States and American when here.” He mentioned how his son’s return is part of the ex-pat experience and how he may be considered a 3rd culture kid.
But his experience was ultimately a gift. “We didn’t want to give our kids the clichéd American existence – outside of ramping consumerism and outside of
With his Ph.D. in European History from
“I’m a historian and have dedicated my life to understanding why people in a particular culture are the way they are.
“You can reflect on your own life and culture through experiencing the lives of others. You’re able to understand your own life elsewhere,” Epstein shared the words which parallel the feelings portrayed in his book.
He has also found this is not the case for everyone.
“Some people get bent out of shape about it. A friend of mine living and working here temporarily is always defending her American values, but I respond, ‘You’re here for a limited period of time, what would be the point of finding a life here just like in the States?’
“Living not in your native culture, leaving the confines of the nest is a civilizing force, a means by which people create networks. …”
When he is outside of
While Epstein shares his intrigue of the city upon news of its recently excavated Roman home, likely to have belonged to a wealthy Roman inhabitant of antiquity, he is also interested in discussing American politics – news frequenting across the ocean.
“Political life is a vital part of nation’s public life. Around 85% vote here and around 50% in the states. It’s taken fore granted. Politics are an important part of life and how country faces and sees the world,” Epstein said.
The recent struggles of a stable Italian parliament caused him to comment how the Italians seem to want a fragile electoral system which gives exaggerated amount of power to numerous political parties. In the
And although his location causes him to watch
“Politically I’m not happy with the direction the States has taken. It would be great if things changed now,” he said. Without hesitation, he also noted, “There’s a great document – something precious (Americans) have and always had written unlike other places – the constitution.
“It states very clearly that an individual liberty is more important than any sense of mission or political program. …The
From politics, to family life, to the Renaissance palace across the square, Epstein has plenty to talk about.
While he may no be so shy to joke about the idea of slower service in an Italian café, he is also quick to mention how you cannot get a presentation of the past anywhere else in the world as great as
After studying a great deal prior to his move, Epstein’s sense of a second home now comes from living amongst the history and pleasures of a life in
“Various people choose how they can explore themselves and world.
More about the author can be read at www.astheromansdo.com
