This book is addressed to “lovers of paradoxes” and we have done our utmost to assemble a stellar cast of Neapolitan and American scholars, intellectuals, and artists/writers who are strong and open-minded enough to wrestle with and illuminate the paradoxes through which Naples presents itself. Naples is a mysterious metropolis. Difficult to understand, it is an enigma to outsiders, and also to the Neapolitans themselves. Its very impenetrableness is what makes it so deliriously and irresistibly attractive. The essays attempt to give some hints to the answer of the enigma, without parsing it into neat scholastic formulas. In doing this, the book will be an important means of opening Naples to students, scholars and members of the community at large who are engaged in “identity-work.” A primary goal has been to establish a dialogue with leading Neapolitan intellectuals and artists, and, ultimately, ensure that the “deliriously Neapolitan” dance continues.

Contributions by: Theresa Aiello, B. Amore, Andrea Baldi, Angelo Cannavacciuolo, Joseph Connors, Rose DeAngelis, Erri de Luca, John Domini, Simona Frasca, Jonathan Galassi, Fred Gardaphe, Patrizia La Trecchia, Ilaria Marchesi, Simone Marchesi, Nick Napoli, Salvatore Napolitano, Jason Pine, Joseph Rescigno, Gabriella Romani, Gioia Timpanelli, Terrence Ward, Robert Zweig, Valerio Caprara, Francesco Durante, Gregory Pell, Charles Sant'Elia