My Italians

by Roberto Saviano
My Italians cover
Good Books rating 3.33
Investigative Journalism
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Paperback • £12.99
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  • ID: 2897
  • Added: 2025-10-16
  • Updated: 2025-10-16
  • ISBN: 9780718199661
  • Publisher: Penguin UK
  • Published: 2016-05-26
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

My Italians by Roberto Saviano is a deeply personal and candid portrait of Italy today, revealing a nation grappling with trafficking, toxic waste, and political corruption. The book shines a light on the organized crime that ravages both the north and south, yet also highlights the courageous individuals who defy the system and work tirelessly for a better future. Saviano's blazingly vivid and courageous writing brings to life the stark realities of contemporary Italy, offering a nuanced and powerful exploration of a country in crisis. Praised by figures like Umberto Eco and featured in prominent publications, Saviano's work is a testament to his astonishing ability to write luminously yet subtly about terrible things. As one of the world's finest investigative journalists, he delves into the dark underbelly of Italian society while also celebrating the resilience and hope that persist amidst the chaos. This book is a must-read for those interested in the intersection of crime, politics, and human resilience.

Reviews
World of Books · Josh Glancy · 2025-10-16
insightful 4.50

Saviano is seen as a brave crusader who shines a light into dark corners, making it impossible to view Italy the same way again.

Josh Glancy highlights Saviano's bravery and unyielding commitment to exposing the truths about Italy. They view Saviano as a symbol of the writer as a crusader, shining a light into some of the world's darkest corners. The book's impact is significant, changing the way readers perceive Italy and the global market.

Quick quotes

    A symbol of the writer as crusader; brave, unyielding, shining a light into some of the world's darkest corners

    After reading Saviano, it becomes impossible to see Italy, and the global market, in the same way again.

    Brave, unyielding, shining a light into some of the world's darkest corners--

Hardcover.app · Chris · 2016-05-26
disappointing 2.50

The book is an interesting collection of events from the Italian underworld but does not match the quality of Saviano's previous work. It feels unpolished and lacks depth.

Chris finds this book to be an intriguing read, especially for those interested in the Italian underworld. However, they feel it falls short compared to Saviano's other works, noting that it lacks the depth and polish that made 'Gomorrah' so impactful. The collection of stories is engaging, but Chris wishes it had more substance and a more refined narrative structure.

Quick quotes

    Short book that's a collection of events that has happened in the Italian underworld, it's interesting to read but no where near the quality of gomorah, ...

    It's interesting to read but no where near the quality of gomorah

    It lacked some kind of direction

Waterstones · 2016-05-26
adequate 3.00

The book is a good but not great collection of stories about Italy, feeling unpolished and lacking some depth.

This reviewer appreciates the book as a good read, particularly for its collection of stories about Italy. However, they feel it is unpolished and lacks the depth that could have made it truly great. The stories are interesting, but the overall execution feels incomplete, leaving the reader wanting more substance.

Quick quotes

    Good, but not great

    It's a very interesting collection of stories, however to me it had a feeling of being unpolished.

    It lacked some kind of direction

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