Literature
Guidebooks
There is now a diverse selection of offerings available here. If you primarily want to spend a vacation at the beach or take advantage of one of the package deals, a small guidebook that only describes the main attractions will certainly suffice.
If you want to explore the island on your own, you will definitely need a comprehensive and informative guidebook. Make sure to get one well in advance of your trip – the selection of English-language books in Sardinian bookstores is very limited.
“Sardinia” by Lonely Planet
“Sardinia” by DK Travel
“Sardinia Travel Guide” by Clemente Rivera
“The Rough Guide to Sardinia” by Rough Guides
“Sardinia Travel Guide” by Robert A.Smith
Phrasebook
Since comprehensive knowledge of the Italian language is usually not necessary, a small phrasebook will suffice to help you in restaurants, while shopping, or at the doctor’s office. These books contain ready-made sentences organized by topic, covering a wide range of situations.
Traditional dictionaries are far too cumbersome for quick reference. Simply opt for a small booklet that you can easily carry with you everywhere, such as: …
“Italian Phrasebook & Dictionary” by Lonely Planet
“Easy Italian Phrase Book” by Lingo Mastery
Sardinian Literature
Books by Sardinian authors are are almost unknown outside of Italy, partly because very few of them have been translated. Yet, some of these authors have gained considerable fame. Grazia Deledda even received the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1926.
Gavino Ledda also became well-known far beyond the borders of his homeland with his autobiographical novel Padre Padrone.
Some visitors to the island have also written books about their experiences there. The following listed works have all been published in English, but they are not always readily available in bookstores.
Reading recommendations:
Grazia Deledda: “Reeds in the Wind”
Grazia Deledda: “La Madre: The Woman and the Priest”
Gavino Ledda: “Padre Padrone”
D.H. Lawrence: “Sea and Sardinia”
Jeff Biggers “In Sardinia: An Unexpected Journey in Italy”