A book on some of the lesser-known destinations in Italy written by someone who has chosen Italy as their home, and certainly has spent a lot of time traveling.
Part of the reason I picked up this book was because of the extensive wine tastings we did as part of our own enological explorations of the country, and also there is a possibility that we’ll be back in Italy after COVID settles down.
I’ve read another of the author’s books, Under a Tuscan Sun, and I liked the starting over in a new country aspect of that book. This one has a different tone – sort of a dreamy travel log of various regions. It reads a little too poetic/romantic for my tastes (she is actually a poet as well so it should be expected) but the parts of food and wine were fun to read.
As she is already a sort of literary Italy celebrity she has no problem setting up special arrangements – friends and connections hook her up with tastings and the chef often steps out from the kitchen to answer her questions. It is nice to dream but I couldn’t help thinking that these kinds of experiences would be out of reach for commoners like me. Still, this is a book about dreaming, and as long as you treat it like that, or as a very fluffy guidebook to unusual areas, I think it will be an enjoyable read.
Next I’m reading The Organized Mind by Daniel J. Levitin.
