The Italian patient

Journey into the Self

After several decades of working flat out, Christian Blanck eventually realized he was running on empty. He needed a break, a change of scenery, a chance to regroup. But where? And how? Then he remembered a long-held dream: to buy an old Fiat 500 – in Italy. And then drive it back to Germany himself: that would be perfect! No sooner said than done. With the help of a friend, he organized the purchase, booked a plane ticket, and set off.

But of course, not everything goes according to plan: The Fiat is an "old lady" and acts up, Blanck loses his wallet, and sometimes even his belief in the success of his plan. How he ultimately achieves his goal, what lessons he learns for the future, and what everyone can learn from it for their own personal life and existential crises, he describes in this book – a self-help guide and travelogue of a special kind.

• Charming blend of travelogue and guidebook
• With commentary and afterword by a psychologist
• Richly illustrated with photos that will make you want to visit Italy