Behind the Scenes - Life Before Lake Como Happened

A Captivating Memoir of an Artist as a Young Man

De: Paul Wright

Narrado por: Virtual Voice

Three Books in One
'Behind the Scenes – Life Before Lake Como Happened'
A Captivating Memoir of an Artist as a Young Man

“An artist to the stars: An insightful and entertaining read about stuff you won’t have heard about but you’ll be glad you have.”
“A memoir with a difference.”
“What I liked most about this memoir was it’s for real.”

I compiled this memoir to let anyone know what it was like ‘Behind the Scenes’ when I was a beat-club painter in Liverpool during the Beatle era. A scene painter and stage set designer in theatre, films and for BBC TV. A trompe l’oeil muralist and faux specialist to some of the world’s most famous and wealthy individuals including, on occasion, royalty, when all ever I wanted to be was a footballer.

‘Behind the Scenes' grew into two more books about living abroad in a non-English speaking environment. The second book in this hardback includes my best seller ‘An Italian Home’ that was originally published as a paperback in 2018 and I wanted to rewrite sections of it. The third book is ‘An Italian Village’ that was also originally published as a paperback about rural life beside Lake Como.


“Paul Wright's tribute to the robust pleasures of village life brings out the generosity and humanity of the inhabitants of Lake Como”
Desmond O’Grady, Italian Insider Review.
Every year rafts of people make the decision to pack up their lives and swap afternoon tea for aperitivo. In this sincere and openly honest account of ‘An Italian Home’ Settling by Lake Como, Paul relives the highs and lows of his and his wife’s Italian adventure: This compelling book by a talented storyteller provides a personal insight in to the day-to-day life and the struggles of becoming expats. What develops is an intimate piece of prose, which envelopes the reader in all the frustrations, heartaches and joys of a couple trying to find their feet in Italy, from gaining social acceptance to experiencing the vibrant atmosphere of their first local festa. For anyone considering moving or holidaying in Italy, this book makes an entertaining, warm and honest guide.

“An insightful and often funny depiction of Italian Life”
Hannah McIntyre. The Italian Insider Magazine
Paul Wright's original approach makes for a worthwhile read. In this An Italian Village - A perspective on life beside Lake Como Wright offers an insight into a world few outsiders have any concept, through a host of varied anecdotes about the highs and lows of buying a property, enjoying Italian cuisine, running a business and most importantly integrating with the locals. The focal point of the book is the central piazza of Argegno, where a largely retired contingent of local men gathers daily to play cards and pass the time. This group and their life stories serve as the anchor of the book, and their constant presence will make many readers yearn for that sense of community and continuity. Wright beautifully captures both the beauty and the sadness inherent in that kind of continuity, asking at one point whether, given the opportunity, these men would have chosen this village, this life, to spend their years.
Wright is best as a writer when he is describing the eccentricities of his neighbours. The book is littered with in-depth descriptions of the individuals he meets, in a fair but undoubtedly no-holds-barred manner. The quintessential Italian male is dissected and examined from the British perspective in a manner, which is affectionate and critical in equal parts.
In these rich character descriptions, interspersed with the rhythm of village life, are episodes in which he travels around Italy in his capacity as an artist painting murals in the homes of the rich.