Description
The story from one of the 20th century’s most famous films, Fellini’s La Dolce Vita.
- .pdf e-book (+ audio available free online)
- .mobi (Kindle-compatible) and .epub (other ebook readers) available on request at no extra charge – just add a note to the order form or email us
- 8 chapters to read and listen to
- Comprehension questions to check your understanding
- Italian/English glossary of ‘difficult’ terms for the level
- Suitable for students at any level
- Download your Free Sample Chapter (.pdf)
How do I access my ebook?
When your order is ‘completed’ (normally immediately after your payment), a download link will be automatically emailed to you. It’s valid for 7 days and 3 download attempts so please save a copy of the .pdf ebook in a safe place. Other versions of the ebook, where available, cannot be downloaded but will be emailed to people who request them. There’s a space to do that on the order form – where it says Additional information, Order notes (optional). If you forget, or if you have problems downloading the .pdf, don’t worry! Email us at the address on the website and we’ll help. Also, why not check out our FAQ?
Michele Baidas (verified owner) –
I bought this because of knowing that this movie existed. Like someone else, I was expecting a light-hearted tale. Time travel, spice, naughty behavior and people coping the best they can in, to put it mildly, trying circumstances. So I’m asking myself why they did certain things. Well, this is really good material for developing my skill to follow a story in Italian and I will be listening and reading La Dolce Vita several times or more. Thanks for this.
easyreadersorg –
I bought the movie on VHS back in about 1998 or 1999. It was expensive and I was disappointed at the odd structure and rather depressing outlook. I suppose that was why it was so famous, at the time and since. Italian cinema was going through one of its phases… Actually, quite a few of our cinema ‘easy readers’ are challenging in this way, as the writer, who’s in the business, picks out the interesting landmarks in Italian movie history to watch again and write up for us.
Maria Valentini (verified owner) –
There’s never any substitute for the real thing, but this condensed version of the classic Italian film gives the right amount of challenge in learning the Italian language. The exercises after each chapter really help with comprehension and reinforce the grammar rules to memory.
jadwiga (verified owner) –
Every one of Fellini’s films was ─ and decades later still is ─ amongst the greatest cinematic achievements of all times, and “La dolce vita” is up there with his finest. Fellini’s films rarely have a straightforward linear narrative, so reinterpreting the director’s unique, atmospheric and emotion-packed visions into a simple written form is an almost impossible task; nevertheless, the author succeeds in giving the reader the gist of the film. It is not a substitute for the real thing (don’t forget Nino Rota’s mesmerising music!) but it’s a great aid for students of Italian, especially if, like me, you are besotted with Fellini.
I am yet to write a review of the Easy Reader “Amarcord” but ─ carried away with Fellinesque enthusiasm ─ for the moment I have used up my store of superlatives.
N.B. I would love to see an Easy Reader version of 8½.
Kathy (verified owner) –
From the title one might think this is a light hearted tale of life in Italy…” the sweet life”.
Set just after WW2, we read of bombed out buildings of Rome and follow the lives of some people who are attempting to rebuild their lives through the excessive pursuit of of earthly pleasures.
As for many in real life, this does not turn out well for them…except, perhaps to find out that love and happiness do not grow well out of these vain pursuits.
I’m sure this abridged book is not meant to compete with the movie, but provide a vehicle to improve one’s Italian through the genre of tragedy… and it does that well!
Lisa (verified owner) –
I am disappointed that I cannot find the movie to watch after I read the book to see the characters as Fellini saw them, however, the book was intense and sad and was a testament to how little we actually realize is going on around us. It is difficult to see “La Dolce Vita” in the story . The book itself was just the right amount of challenge for my level of the Italian language.
Christine Chudley –
The film which this book outlines is probably one of the most significant in the history of Italian film making and anyone passionate about cinema should see it. What better way to enhance any cultural experience than to view it from more than one angle? Reading the book of the film in simple, concise Italian will firstly tell you what the film is all about and then support your appreciation of it if you are able to watch it in the original language. That said, it’s a weird and rather disturbing storyline guaranteed to get you thinking.