I'll be in Italy for a month beginning September 13. I'd like to purchase an Italian to Italian dictionary. I can't do a real small one as the eyes are too old for very small print, but don't want a full desk size either. Any recommendations?

Very difficut to reply. The best one is actually considered the Devoto Oli but it's that "full desk size" you reasonably don't want. Once Garzanti (a very good one) wasn't too big and heavy but I'm afraid things are changed.

I don't know where you will be in Italy but think that if you go in a wide library (Feltrinelli one for all) you will have best suggestion and, most important, you can see them evaluating which is a good compromize between quality and dimension.

I have an old Garzanti that I like which is about 4" wide x 6 " tall x 2" thick - but it's 25 years old. Like Ikol says, the format may have changed since then. Also, I don't have much to compare it with - since it's difficult to find a good selection in the US. I agree - your best bet is to just find a good bookstore when you arrive in Italy and spend some time choosing.

The Garzanti is about the right size and I use their online product. I'll be in Florence for 2 weeks-- so I'll take your advice and spend some time looking in Feltrinelli.

I have a nice i Garzantini, which I picked up on sale at Martelli, on via Martelli in Florence, for E12,60, marked down from E21.

It's a 2001 edition, about the size David describes, with 1,440 pages, 65,000 words, and according to the cover "soltanto 790 grammi".

I think I bought it 2 years ago.

quote:

Originally posted by CVH128:
I'll be in Florence for 2 weeks-- so I'll take your advice and spend some time looking in Feltrinelli.

Feltrinelli are good bookshops, but overall I don't find them totally satisfying when it comes to reference books. I would also check out the Edison (in piazza della Repubblica) or the Martelli (on via de' Martelli) libraries, or also check out the bookstores inside or mear the University. In particular, the Italian literature faculty is on piazza Brunelleschi, it's likely to have a bookshop inside and a few all around it.