{"product_id":"italian-life","title":"Italian Life","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e''Parks...offers detailed cultural observation, witty yet eagle-eyed, of what makes Italians so Italian'' \u003ci\u003eThe Times\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHow does Italy \u003ci\u003ereally\u003c\/i\u003e work?\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhen Valeria travels from hot, dusty Basilicata to begin her studies in a northern university town, she has little idea of the kind of education she will find there. \u003ci\u003eItalian Life\u003c\/i\u003e is her story, and that of the students and professors around her: a story of power and corruption, influence and exclusion, and the workings of a society where your connections are \u003ci\u003eeverything\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWritten with flair and insight, \u003ci\u003eItalian Life\u003c\/i\u003e joins Tim Parks'' bestselling books about his beloved and paradoxical adopted country. It is a gripping, entertaining, behind-the-scenes account of how Italy actually happens, and the ways it can surprise those who know it inside out.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e ''A satisfyingly truthful, entertaining and provocative comedy'' \u003ci\u003eDaily Telegraph\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"MediaPlace","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57314758197630,"sku":"NW9781529112580","price":11.67,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0817\/1379\/1261\/files\/9781529112580.jpg?v=1778698427","url":"https:\/\/mediaplace.com\/products\/italian-life","provider":"MediaPlace","version":"1.0","type":"link"}