Life is Beautiful: La Vita E Bella

by Roberto Benigni

Book Overview

Life Is Beautiful is a Chaplinesque fable about the power of imagination set against the stark reality of World War II Europe. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 078688469X
• ISBN13: 9780786884698
• Release Date: January 1999
• Publisher: Hyperion Books
• Length: 176 Pages
• Weight: 0.78 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 6.2" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

pathos and humor = LIFE

Guido, the central character in Life is Beautiful, is one of the most poignant characters in literature. He chooses to create an illusionary world for his son so that Giosue will survive the horrific conditions in a concentration camp. It becomes clear to the reader that Guido makes a decision as soon as he and Giouse are taken to the camp that he will, if necessary, go so far as to sacrifice his own life for his son's strength and survival. The theme of unconditional love transcending pain, horror, and incomprehensible ignorance is the ultimate message of the book. And, if anything, the reader empathizes even more with victims of the Holocaust because of Guido's presentation of his experiences. There is no "making fun" of the Holocaust in this book; there is only a celebration of love and the beauty of life. Everyone should read it and watch the movie!

Guido as Shakespeare's Fool

An affirmation of life, even in the face of the century's greatest evil, is what makes Life is Beautiful thematically beautiful. Guido, the protagonist, is brilliant as the father who uses imagination and cheer to shield his son Joshua from the reality and horrors of the Holocaust. In this, his characterization is reminiscent of Shakespeare's Fool. I was reminded of the scene in King Lear, of the King and his Fool on the heath. In Life is Beautiful, Guido plays the Fool, Joshua is King Lear ( Lear is after all nothing but a child) and the Holocaust is the metaphorical storm. Both Guido and the Fool use wit and humour to conceal and reveal respectively. While Guido plays the Fool with intention to conceal truths, the Fool's wit serves to reveal to the 'child' king, the errors caused by his folly. Also, both Lear and Joshua play a game of life an d death by which they stand to lose all. While Lear stakes his kingdom and loses -he dies, Joshua plays and "wins" -he lives. Finally, why do we like Guido? Because he retains his spirit and remains the incurable romantic even as his family faces extinction.

Unlike Any Other

In this film/ book, it is so clear that Benigni has suceeded in pronouncing the message he so wanted for the world to hear: Life if Beautiful. In this profoundly delicious screenplay, I have found love, laughter, grief, and hope. Never before have I ever encountered such a screenplay that has put upon me so many different emotions. A winner-- everyone MUST read or see this incredible piece of art.

The transcendent power of love in the midst of hate

I have tried to talk many people into seeing this movie -- truly the most moving and beautiful film I have ever seen. People are turned off by the idea of a comedy set in the midst of the pain of the holocaust. This movie, however, does not in any way belittle the tragedy of that event. Instead, it shows how laughter and love can transcend hatred. Guido gives his son the gift of a light spirit, protecting him from the horror around him, taking all the pain upon himself to allow his son to retain his innocence. The Nazis cannot take the spirits of the members of this little family, even if they do take their lives, because Guido brings hope and happiness to them through his undying, brave love. See the movie -- you will find your negative assumptions wiped out by the beauty of the film. You will leave the theater with tears in your eyes but a smile on your face.

La vita e' bella, the Benigni style of life.

I'm italian and I know almost all Benigni movies. Well, as Oscars says, "La Vita e' bella" is the most brillant, extraordinary, piece of art that shows the genius behind this fanatastic person. I encourage all of you to see also other movies he did. Every title has something very particular and one phrase is wrote in every image he does: it's his style of life: Life is wonderful. This is absolutely a cult for the human community. (sorry for my poor english :-)