Customer Reviews

When in Rome: A Journal of Life in Vatican City

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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.

Some of the other reviewers, that is.

I bought this book at the glorious Feltrinelli outlet by the Bargello in Florence on my way back to Rome for Easter Sunday. Sure, there are a few errors. But on the whole it's a fabulous book by a real Catholic who speaks for more than one of his fellow faithful in his lighthearted but respectful approach to the beautiful, colorful, and sometimes tedious history of the Catholic Church.

This book is for anyone who wants to know more than just the litany of architects who worked on St. Peter's or how many columns comprise Bernini's collonnade. This book is even more especially suited for those who make cursory, blanket statements about the hypocrisy of the church's wealth. The author jokes ironically about things like the Pope's tolerance for boredom (the "Beverly Hillbillies" joke so reviled by another reviewer) and the habits of a Gregorianum Latinist but puts a startlingly accurate picture of the modern Catholic attitude forward: whether they agree with him or not, Catholics have a certain fondness for this most recent Pope.

And Hutchinson is quite obviously in love with Italy. I think his comments on the lack of English in Italy were intended more to suggest the strange monolinguality of the Italians in comparison with the nationals of other European countries than to express a jingoistic annoyance that his own language wasn't commonly used. And as far as sexism goes . . . I think that's reading a bit too far into the text. There's nothing sexist about appreciating human beauty. The greatest writers go to great lengths to describe the beauty of people they encounter.

Altogether a fantastic book and a recommended read for anyone interested in the modern life of the Church's center.

This book is one of the best I've read and is very informative about life inside Vatican City. Interspersed are excellent descriptions of various sites, including the Necropolis (City of the Dead). I am quite well-informed on Rome and I could not put this book down. It is No. 1 in my library of books on the subject of Rome!

Living in Rome (I even work for the Vatican), I found the 1998 version (subtitled "An Unofficial Guide to the Vatican") a very pleasant read, with many of the same wry observations I myself have made on more than one occasion. The author provided me with an entertaining experience, and I was also inspired by his evident love of the Catholic Church, despite all the superficial evidence to the contrary. Although I have lived here for about a year and a half now, I learned some interesting tidbits about places I walk by every day, and laughed out loud on more than one page. The book is now making the rounds of all my American friends in Rome. In fact, I received it as a gift from another temporary Roman!

This is not meant to be a guide book but the story of the author as he finds out all he can about Vatican City. Mr. Hutchinson gives us an interesting look behind the scens of the Vatican, places where I never have been and probably never will be.

I must disagree with him, however, when he says the Italians are grumpy, sour tempered people who don't like speaking anything but Italian. I have found things to the contrary. In fact, I wonder how the Romans put up with so many awful tourists and remain unaffected. As to the pizza sold by vendors on the streets, I found their wares to be not too bad, not cardboard anyway. However, I tend not to be less fussy about what is on my pizza, and after a big dinner the night before it was welcome to have something lite and quick.

I am more than willing to let pass the error about Mary Stuart etc. How it got by a reader I don't know. So, I can give the book high marks because it is entertaining, informative and written with a sense of humor.

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.

I read this book on the bus to and from work each day and it really brought me back to the time I lived in Rome. I really enjoyed the sarcastic views and "insider" information about the Vatican. I recommend this book to any Italophile!

There are many light 'travel' books intended to give a personal account of some aspect of the author's experience in a foreign country or city. This book fits into that category with a particular emphasis on the Vatican. Anyone planning a trip to Rome should consider some of the 'traveler' books along with the many excellent travel guides that are available to help you understand the city. The "traveler' books are generally much more interesting to read.

"When in Rome" is a lot of fun. Robert Hutchinson provides great insight into the Vatican and how it works (or at times doesn't!) I am reminded of the question once asked of Pope John XXIII: "How many people actually work in the Vatican?" Answer: "Not Many!"

I have been to Rome many times, but this book was still informative for me and is highly recommended for those planning a first trip to Rome, and even for the experienced traveler.

Hutchinson served his purpose. He provided just enough detail about the stories he picked to keep the lay reader interested, and varied his stories widely enough to provide a wide angle portrait of the Vatican. A humorous and thoughtful look at the place and the institution which has, for better or worse, been the very center of Catholicism and the Catholic conciousness for 2,000 years.

Mr. Hutchinson's book was reviewed in the travel section of the San Francisco Chronicle just before our trip. It is a delight. Written with wit and excellent journalistic inquiry, it opened for me the inner doors to this wonderful city and let me peek behind the scenes. While the author presents a somewhat irrevent picture he never compromises the faith...only the faithful! Even if you are not going to Rome, you will find this insightful little book great reading.