When in Rome: A Journal of Life in Vatican City by Robert J. Hutchinson Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of When in Rome: A Journal of Life in Vatican City
Book Review: F***in RAWKS man!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
Seldom has the real-life Vatican been portrayed so amusingly and in such detail by an American author. The book's stellar, pristine and pyrotechnic prose reveals some really juicy dirt about the current and the past Holy See. Hutchinson tells IT LIKE IT IS!!!!! AMEN!!!!! in short and easy to read chapters. This book was impossible to put down. I read it until I finished at 4 a.m. I wish he would write more about other places he would like to take his family on vacation. Also, I'd like even more scandal on what those sleazy Vatican journalists are up to!!!!! Wouln't mind hearing more about what the cardinals and other prelates are up to.Book Review: Fantastic, very funny book!
Summary: 5 Stars
Have you ever wondered just what goes on "behind the scenes" in Vatican City? Well, wonder no longer! When in Rome reveals many innermost and often-hidden secrets buried deep in the depths of the Vatican's cellars. It's an absolutely superb book. The few negative reviewers missed the humor... and concentrated on a few insignificant details. Most of them appear to be ultra-conservative Catholics who won't tolerate the least bit of criticism (even when meant in fun) by the author.In fact, the author tells his first-hand investigative tale with passion, insight and a great deal of wit -- so much so that he had me bursting into laughter chapter after chapter. Hutchinson pulls no punches and is one of the few honest writers about the Vatican to go directly into the bowels of this treasured city. He plainly loves and admires the Vatican, Italy and even the Italian language -- which he said time and again he wished he knew better. When in Rome is truly a great read to be enjoyed by people of all faiths. It's such a light-hearted, yet fascinating book. Highly recommended.
Book Review: Fun and Factual
Summary: 4 Stars
Upon the advise of a good tour guide, I purchased this book after visiting and utterly enjoying the Eternal City. Please note that this is certainly not the ultimate guide to the Vatican or to understanding Catholicism. It is merely a collection of the amusing anecdotes of a journalist, who like other journalists has the opportunity to live in another part of the world and then comment about his impressions of adapting or accepting another culture. In this instance, Hutchinson moves to Rome with the sole purpose of writing a "what I did on my summer vacation" book on the Vatican. He and his wife and three children, all practising Catholics already feel that affinity to Rome, the Pope and the Vatican that all Catholics innately experience. Here, Hutchinson explores with pure delight his connection with an institution that has lasted through 2000 years of tumultuous change and yet like the rock it was built upon, invariably stays the same.
Hutchinson's Roman adventures are sprinkled liberally with his slightly irreverant humor and yes, as other reviewers have commented, he does repeat himself. But instead of looking cynically upon these faux pas, think of Hutchinson as the prodigal son (or any other excited tourist with a film projector filled with slides) returning from the unknown and merely so thrilled by what he has seen and experienced, can barely contain himself. Enjoy his exuberance, visit Rome and share in it.
Although most entertaining for me were Hutchinson's stories about St. Peter's bones, the Borgia popes, and the holy relics, I found the entire book one refreshing breeze of a read that brought back for me the sound of the Vespas in a city that juxtaposes the old with the new in a very stylish and sophisticated way. Recommended reading for AFTER that trip to Rome---to relish all those "Roman" sensations all over again.
Book Review: Grande Nostaglia
Summary: 4 Stars
I found this book thoroughly enjoyable. I travelled to Italy in my teens several times with my Uncle who was a priest. We visited the Vatican often however there are some areas that I was not privy to during my Uncle's personalized tours of Rome. My Uncle was a linguist and flawless in Italian but he neglected to escort me to certain areas below St Peter's. These very trips I took with him endeared me to Italy and it's culture. If you remember experiencing il sciopero, Piazza Navona and gelato you will love this book.It makes you want to book a ticket a' Roma presto presto. This would be a pleasure to re- visit some places you have visited and some places you wish you visited during your student days. Godere.Book Review: Great for Students and (Slightly Irreverent) Pilgrims
Summary: 4 Stars
When in Rome offers a whimsical view of the Vatican and how it operates. I read it while traveling in Rome and it made my time at the Vatican even more rewarding. It's not a must, but if you want some light reading and are tired of fact heavy travel books, When in Rome is well worth its price.