I have been away for a few weeks. After my business trip to Europe, I was able to spend two weeks in Arizona, mostly in Phoenix. When the weather in Vancouver gets wet and cool, it is nice to go where the sun shines every day. Arizona is such a place. My wife, Carmen and I played golf many times. I was also able to go jogging and play tennis in the sun. I had plenty of opportunity to listen to my Italian audio book, I Promessi Sposi, by Alessandro Manzoni, narrated and produced by Il Narratore.I Promessi Sposi is one of the classics of Italian literature. The book is a simple story but rich in descriptions of life in early 17th century in Italy, and full of insightful observations about human character. Listening to Il Narratore’s wonderful story telling is a rich cultural experience that can enjoyed while jogging and doing other activities, although not while playing golf.
The CD is an MP3 CD so that this long book can be narrated in its entirety in just 2 CDs. As I have said many times before, I really recommend audio books for language learners. It is a meaningful way to communicate with the language and the culture. It is portable and flexible. It is a rich experience, quite different from reading. After all, for most of history, books were written to be read out loud, and to be listened to. It is also easier to listen than to read.
