My Roman Year

Sweet memoir of the teen-aged author in 1967 Rome. His Roman year was spent acclimating after his family fled Egyptian persecution.

Occasionally piercing the veil of nostalgia, Aciman tells his tale well. I enjoyed it more than I anticipated.

Harvard Bookstore First Edition.

This memoir vividly tells the story of a Jewish family expelled from Egypt moving to Rome having lost their wealth and way of life. I found many aspects of the memoir spirited and poignant with people and places described in a lively manner especially in the first half of the book. However, as the read continued I started to find the emotional intensity cumbersome and disruptive to the narrative. I wanted to be done and though the author and his story re-engaged me on and off, I did not find the read fulfilling. This may say more about me than the author and perhaps I need more practice reading memoirs. But for now, I am back to fiction, my first love.

Harvard Bookstore, $30, $8.99 shipping. Nov. 2024 selection