Italy, A Love Story: Women Write About the Italian Experience [Paperback]

Camille Cusumano (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 10, 2005

Legendary for fabulous food, persistent men, and a lyrical language, Italy has inspired many great love affairs—with the country itself. From the notorious occupants and cuisine of Sicily, to the ancient marvels of Rome, to the couture of Milan, women throughout the ages have invented and reinvented adventure in this diverse and voluptuous land. In this thrilling and layered new collection, women from Barbara Grizzuti Harrison to the neo-Tuscan Frances Mayes to Mary Simetti Taylor explore and describe in loving prose individual infatuations with a land that is both complicated by and adored for a rich tradition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"In this beautiful collection, women share their experiences firsthand, reflecting on the ways France's unique culture has enriched and enchanted their lives."

Product Details

• Paperback: 264 pages
• Publisher: Seal Press; X edition (June 10, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 158005143X
• ISBN-13: 978-1580051439
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #97,450 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I was born in New Jersey, in a big Sicilian family. I moved to San Francisco in 1973. I wanted to be a travel writer. Because of my love of food, I became a food writer first. Then a travel writer. I've lived abroad twice--in France, in 1976, where I did some graduate work. And most recently, I spent the last year and a half in Buenos Aires, a place I never expected to like so much---but tango took hold of me, and there I found myself, dancing away. The book contract came after I was there six months and realized I had a story to tell.And so I did, in Tango, an Argentine Love Story.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely wonderful!, December 4, 2006

By 

L.A. in CA - See all my reviews

This review is from: Italy, A Love Story: Women Write About the Italian Experience (Paperback)

The editor of this book deserves a lot of credit. She has brought together some wonderful authors here. These are not your standard stories of wealthy women who bought villas in Italy. Nor are they typical stories about the quaintness of the Italian "natives". These are everyday women living and traveling in Italy for diverse reasons. Their stories ring true and honest, and they are, at times, heart-wrenching. The writing is superb. I loved leaving this book by my bedside and reading one story each evening. If you love Italy or dream of visiting Italy, you will love this book.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Italian Adventure, January 18, 2008

By 

Caroline P. Stella (saugus, ma United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Italy, A Love Story: Women Write About the Italian Experience (Paperback)

I am enjoying the book . It is a perfect read after having returned from a month in Italy. I am able to visualize Matera, Puglia, Otranto, and many other places. I can see myself in many of the experiences contained in the book. Enjoy, enjoy! Wow! I think I can contribute to Cusumano's next book about Italy!

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nice escape, June 21, 2011

By 

Horselady - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Italy, A Love Story: Women Write About the Italian Experience (Paperback)

I am about half way thru the book. I got it on Kindle and noticed it was double spaced. I believe this is because the book is not that long. Since you have short stories from different authors, you get a variety of writing styles and viewpoints. My favorite so far was the first chapter, a very unique perspective on Italy, thru smells. I skipped the 2nd chapter, just was not interesting to me.

Some of the authors feel they must throw in alot of Italian words and expressions, which is okay if only a few, but one chapter I had a hard time really getting into the story because the author used so many Italian expressions, I had to plow thru and read all the translations. Other authors just told their stories without all the Italian words.

One chapter was extremely heavy on ancient Italian history of which I found boring, so I skipped thru most of that one.
Overall, I think most of the women went to Italy to "find something" that they felt lacking in their lives and most found "something", maybe not what they expected, but they were still moved by the experience. It was interesting to see how others live. As an American, I only know fast paced life as we live here, but this book is a reminder that not everyone lives this way and it was a nice escape and brought me a new appreciation of another culture and a slower way of life, in general. I do hope to visit someday.