Summer is the ideal time to relax and indulge in reading. Whether under an umbrella, during a mountain break, or in the tranquility of the city, it’s always pleasant to take a moment to disconnect from everything and immerse yourself in a good book.

If you’re visiting Florence or simply fascinated by this city, it might be the perfect time to explore some books that tell its history and traditions, beyond the usual tourist guides. Here is a selection of various genres that will let you discover Florence from different perspectives.

Let’s start with a timeless classic: the famous Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri, in which the Florentine poet embarks on a spiritual journey of purification through Hell, Purgatory, and Paradise. There are also pocket versions available, with the Inferno being the most well-known!

Still on the theme of “Inferno,” we suggest Dan Brown‘s 2013 novel of the same name. The adventures of Professor Robert Langdon, suffering from amnesia, take place in Florence, where he becomes involved in a series of mysteries related to Dante Alighieri.

Another great classic of Italian literature is Giovanni Boccaccio‘s Decameron, which tells the stories of a group of young people who take refuge in a country villa to escape the plague of 1348. Over ten days, they tell stories to pass the time pleasantly.

Among more recent classics, we highlight the works of Vasco Pratolini, who describes a Florence of the early twentieth century. “The Girls of San Frediano” portrays the life of a lively working-class neighborhood, while “Chronicles of Poor Lovers” describes the stories of the inhabitants of Via del Corno, a street where the most varied shades of humanity meet.

For thriller lovers, we recommend Thomas Harris‘s “Hannibal”. Partially set in Florence, the novel follows Clarice Starling, seven years after the events of “The Silence of the Lambs”, as she receives a message from the fugitive Hannibal Lecter, who is hiding in the city.

Lastly, in this first article on books set in Florence, we suggest a recent novel: “The Little Literary Pharmacy” by Elena Molini, published in 2020. This autobiographical story tells of a young woman who, dreaming of working in the book world, opens a unique bookstore in Florence where books are offered as “medicines” to heal the soul, complete with therapeutic indications. You can actually find it and seek your remedy!

Happy reading to all.