I read them as a teenager and saw the movie. Loved them. Especially the “conversations”between Don Camillio and Our Lord on the crucifix in his church.
In one of the books, Don Camillo goes with a tour group to the Soviet Union. He pretends to be amazed at Soviet "inventions" like having a single spigot with knobs for hot and cold water so you can adjust the temperature (instead of having separate spigots for hot and cold).