Francesca's Kitchen [Paperback]

Peter Pezzelli (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2006

No one writes about Italian-American families with the humor, warmth, and heart of Peter Pezzelli. Now, with Francesca's Kitchen, he delivers another winning novel about how much we need the closeness of family--even if we don't know it.

Where There's Food, There's Family

For years, Francesca Campanile was the queen of her home. Standing in her Rhode Island kitchen, making sauce from sun-ripened tomatoes, dropping in basil from her garden, and adding fresh onion, Francesca dispensed advice as liberally as she did the garlic, arguing nonstop with her son and two daughters.

It was wonderful.

But now, her children and their children have moved away. And for the widowed Francesca, no longer having a family around to pester, annoy, guide, love, harangue and, of course, cook for, makes her feel useless. Who is she without them? What she needs is another family that needs her, and when she sees Loretta Simmons's ad in the Providence paper for a part-time nanny, she's sure she's found it. All the single mom wants is someone to fill in for a few hours a day. But it's obvious to Francesca that Loretta and her kids need more--a lot more. Loretta's struggling to make ends meet. Every man she brings home is a disaster. And her kids could definitely use some guidance--and a little lasagna, frankly. In these frazzled, disconnected people, Francesca senses a hunger and loneliness as deep as her own. It's time for Francesca to work her magic--if she can--and the best place to start is the kitchen. . .

Funny and moving, with a heroine to adore, Francesca's Kitchen is a delicious story about sharing love, life, advice, and, above all, food.

Peter Pezzelli was born and raised in Rhode Island. A graduate of Wesleyan University, he lives with his wife, two children and their dog in Rhode Island where, most days, he is busy at work on his next novel. Every Sunday, however, if he's not riding his bike, you'll find him and his family at the dinner table, enjoying a plate of rabes and sausage, or a nice fritatta, or some other favorite Italian dish cooked up by his wife.

Praise for the Novels of Peter Pezzelli

Every Sunday

"A sweet, brave, and funny novel--with a heart as big as the entire state of Rhode Island." --Claire Cook, author of Must Love Dogs

Home To Italy

A BookSense Pick!

"A beautiful novel. . .Peter Pezzelli captures the warmth of Italy--family, friendships, and food--invites us into the world of his wonderful characters, and takes us full circle on a journey of life and love." --Luanne Rice, New York Times bestselling author

"Bighearted and wise, Home to Italy is a charming ode to the romance of new beginnings and the Italian gusto for life. Peter Pezzelli's tale of a widower who returns to his childhood town in Abruzzo to rebuild his life, only to be struck by the legendary thunderbolt of love, is a continuous delight."--Louisa Ermelino, author of Joey Dee Gets Wise

"With heartwarming touches of humor, Home to Italy reaffirms that life can always be renewed. This is a wonderfully satisfying romance that brings to life the sights, sounds and tastes of Italy." --Romantic Times

"A warmhearted novel, perfect for an autumn evening in front of the fire." --Litchfield Enquirer

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Pezzelli (Home to Italy) returns with another tale of an everyday Italian-American family, this one an empty nest. Mamma and all-around good egg Francesca Campanile, widowed with children and grandchildren all elsewhere, is floating aimlessly in her Providence, R.I., house. When she decides what she needs is to be needed, Francesca answers the babysitter-wanted ad of Loretta Simmons, a single mother working full-time. Pezzelli nicely renders Loretta's anxieties as she first rejects, and then, out of desperation, hires Francesca, who is not the student-type sitter she'd imagined. He's also lovely on Francesca's reminiscing about husband Leo and on the mutual sniffing-out processes as Francesca parses Loretta's harried home, and neglected children Penny and Will slowly learn to trust Francesca. Francesca's adult son Joey then unexpectedly returns to the nest. He meets Loretta, sparks fly, and suddenly Francesca isn't certain any of this was such a good idea. Most of the action happens in kitchens: home cooking, good pasta and traditional family values conquer all in this amusing and touching story. (Sept.)
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Product Details

• Paperback: 340 pages
• Publisher: Kensington; First Edition edition (September 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0758213271
• ISBN-13: 978-0758213273
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #579,063 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An enjoyable read, September 17, 2006

By 

C. Billiter (Georgia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Francesca's Kitchen (Paperback)

I have never had the chance to read any of Peter Pezzelli's other books but an article about Francesca's Kitchen intrigued me. I rarely read this type of book..I am more into mysteries and suspense. However, I was pleasantly surprised. It was a warm, enjoyable read. I could relate as my children have recently moved out and I, too, am an empty nester. Most of the story centered around the kitchen with Francesca's love and caring being expressed in her food and caring nature. I could just smell the garlic and tomatoes simmering. I highly recommend.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Entertaining story, September 20, 2006

By 

ems "EMS" (Massachusetts) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Francesca's Kitchen (Paperback)

A WONDERFUL BOOK, with real characters. Read it in two days commuting. I am Italian, and felt at home for a family Sunday Dinner. The descriptive cooking made me hungry. Francesca and Joey reminded me of so many relationships growing up.
Thank you Peter

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not only Italians know that food conquers all!, August 15, 2008

By 

Naor Wallach (Pittsburgh, PA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Francesca's Kitchen (Paperback)

Francesca is feeling out of sorts. Her husband passed away some number of years ago, and her two married daughters with their children have moved away leaving only her unmarried son in Providence, RI. Unfortunately, Joey decided to enter a Rugby tournamnet in Australia and is out of the hosue for a while also. Coming back from a visit with one of her daughters and their family, Francesca realizes that what she misses is being engaged in something, so she starts looking for something more meaningful to do.

As it happens, at this same time, Loretta is looking for a quasi-nanny and babysitter. Loretta is a single mother with two kids who is working in a demanding job and is always so harried that she really has no time to take proper care of herself or her kids.

When the two meet, it does not take long before the noodles start flying! Francesca is appalled to note that Loretta's house is very "lived in" as she says and that no one ever produces a proper meal - instead Loretta relies on take out and frozen dinners. So, Francesca goes to work. In no time flat, Francesca is whipping up Italian favorites like spaghetti and meatballs, lasagna, pastina soups and many other scrumptious meals that have the kids enthralled and Loretta intrigued. Loretta asks Francesca to teach her how to cook and the two women - a generation apart - get along famously.

Then, the son returns. Now, Francesca has not told her family what she is doing as she was afraid that they would view this negatively and she keeps it a secret from her son as well. Fortunately, her car breaks down right in front to Loretta's home and Francesca calls Joey to help. Joey meets Loretta ... and .... well ... you can guess where the rest of the story is going.

Francesca is a great character. Here is a woman who dedicated her life to her family and friends and finds herself not being needed - so she jumps in to help another family in need. In the process, she discovers a lot more about herself and impacts the world around her in a very positive manner. The cooking scenes are described lovingly and make you almost smell and taste the dishes. The way Francesca gets herself accepted by the kids shows a profound understanding of life and people.

This was a great read with no major implications - simply a story about family life told with humor and understanding. There is no mystery as the two major romantic entanglements can be seen to be coming from the get go. It is well written and well described and makes you want to personally get to know Francesca - although we all probably know someone like her.