Monthly Archives: February 2009

Italy, il bel paese

Posted on February 28, 2009 by Charles Lambert

Just in case you can’t see. the first knob provides condoms, the second a throw-away lighter and the third those generously large cigarette papers for people who like a long, cool smoke. The dispensing machine is outside my local newsagents … Continue reading →

Posted in italy | 3 Comments

Homesick for everywhere but here

Posted on February 24, 2009 by Charles Lambert

Norman Geras asked me to write about a book that has influenced me in some way for his Writer’s Choice series on normblog, according to the Sunday Times one of Britain’s finest 100 blogs. I chose Christopher Isherwood’s second novel, … Continue reading →

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Numbers

Posted on February 20, 2009 by Charles Lambert

When reporters asked Berlusconi yesterday whether he’d seen Roberto Benigni rip him to shreds at the Sanremo Song Festival last Tuesday, before an audience of 15 million, our Leader Minimus said, with his habitual smugness, that he was one of … Continue reading →

Posted in berlusconi, italy, rai, sanremo | Leave a comment

Travelling

Posted on February 19, 2009 by Charles Lambert
Posted in photography, travelling | Leave a comment

One picture…

Posted on February 18, 2009 by Charles Lambert
Posted in ratzinger | 4 Comments

In the bin

Posted on February 18, 2009 by Charles Lambert

I’ve just found out that Little Monsters was shortlisted by the Waterstones Book Circle as one of its February choices. It didn’t win – Chris Cleave did – but it does mean that some branches will pop an extra sticker … Continue reading →

Posted in little monsters | 4 Comments

Après Walter… Who?

Posted on February 18, 2009 by Charles Lambert

If you live in Italy, or care two pins about it (these categories aren’t necessarily coterminous), you may want to express your opinion on who should replace Veltroni as head of the Partito Democratico. Well, La Repubblica has set up an … Continue reading →

Posted in italy, PD, politics | Leave a comment

Sardinia shafted

Posted on February 17, 2009 by Charles Lambert

If you’d like to enjoy what’s left of the natural beauty of Sardinia (see right) before the entire island is converted into a ‘fitness centre’ you’d better get a move on. That’s right. Berlusconi’s glove puppet just became governor. New … Continue reading →

Posted in berlusconi, italy, putin, russia | 3 Comments

Sticks, stones, names

Posted on February 16, 2009 by Charles Lambert

I’m linking to a post I started some days ago but only published today, which you might not otherwise notice. It’s about the new security laws in Italy. Here it is. This is a subject I’ll be returning to, I … Continue reading →

Posted in englaro, fascism, italy, racism | 2 Comments

First official sighting

Posted on February 13, 2009 by Charles Lambert

Not quite the first sighting of Little Monsters with its 3for2 sticker proudly displayed in the bottom right-hand corner, but the first to be substantiated by a photograph. Here I am, snuggling up to David Leavitt, with Jeffrey Eugenides obliquely … Continue reading →

Posted in charlie bulbeck, little monsters | 6 Comments