Customer Reviews

That Summer in Sicily: A Love Story

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3 star:		(4)
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That Summer in Sicily is the fourth Marlena de Blasi book I have read. When I picked up the first one, A Thousand Days in Venice, I didn't take to it right away. I am a Texan who writes exactly the way I speak, and I am irritated by flowery prose. However, I am also a sensualist, in love with taste, aroma, color, texture and sound. These elements--these things that define a particular place--come alive for me in these books.

Unlike her previous three memoirs, this story is not really about American Marlena and her Venetian husband. It is an almost unbelievable love story, a story about what it means to be Sicilian. As with most other adventures in her life, this one began with a writing assignment. Marlena was asked by a scholarly magazine to write a seminal piece on the interior regions of Sicily. Several people had already turned the job down, and soon she discovered why. Despite a meticulously drawn route and prearranged interview appointments, she was met at every turn with "misanthropic silences, closed doors and epic heat." Eventually she gave up.

Marlena's husband had come along for the ride, and before wending their way down from the mountains, they decided to take a day or two to recover. Finally, a policeman responded to their numerous inquiries for a place to stay. "There is a woman called Tosca. Her place is Villa Donnafugata (house of fleeing woman), although there's no sign to tell you so."

When they entered the gates they found what looked like a castle with sweeping gardens. In fact, it was nothing more than a hunting lodge, once belonging to the last Anjou prince in Sicily. Everywhere, they passed groups of women in long black dresses, laughing and singing as they went about their daily chores. A beautiful woman dressed in jodphurs and boots approached them. "I'm Tosca Brozzi. We'll be sitting down at one. I'll let you know later if there's room for you to stay."

From one of the other women there, Marlena learned that Tosca had inherited the villa from the prince, whose ward she once was. Bit by bit, she had restored the place. For more than thirty years she had lived there with an assortment of villagers who had found themselves alone, and in need of other people. This sort of communal life helped them to stay well, to stay young. Babies were born there, some people died there. "We are all related by affection," they said. "We are part of one another's history. We are Sicilian." They grew and prepared their own food, cared for the animals and for each other. Though there was much work to be done, it seemed to be merely a diversion to fill the hours between meals. "We eat often and well here, signora," Marlena was told. It was a society she never would have believed could exist.

"We never decide to stay but simply get caught up in the imperishable rituals and rhythms of the villa," wrote Marlena. One day Don Cosimo, a seventy-six year old priest, approached Marlena. He told her that he'd been the household's resident cleric and the prince's chauffeur when, fifty-six years previously, the prince had taken Tosca to live with him in the palace, a few hours drive from the lodge. "She was, even then, of that splendid arrogance. Leo claimed her when, I think, she was nine. Her beauty was already fearsome," he recalled. It was a common enough feudal custom, this sanctioned purloining of the children of one's peasants. Most people believed that the prince had requested Tosca. However, it was Tosca's father who'd offered her to the prince, in exchange for a stallion he coveted. And so Tosca was schooled by a French governess with the prince's daughters, tamed, formed, refined.

Later, it was Tosca who approached Marlena. "I'd like to tell you a story, Chou," she said. "Oh, I don't mean right now, of course. But soon. It's a long story, you see... It might take a few days. A week... I want to try out my story on someone from another place. I want to tell it to you, leave it with you, I guess, knowing that you'll go away." And so it began, the unfolding of a saga that spanned decades. It is a story that explores the ravages of war, poverty, the origins of the Cosa Nostra, the responsibilities of wealth and privilege, the cost of defying rigid traditions, the meaning of love, and finding one's true place in the world. It is also a story of miracles.

by Becky Lane
for Story Circle Book Reviews
reviewing books by, for, and about women

I fell under Ms. de Blasi's spell with the trilogy (1000 Days In Venice, 1000 Days in Tuscany and The Lady In The Palazzo) and here is another book of delicate prose woven with insight and beauty. This type of writing probably isn't for everyone. One reviewer of a book she wrote was shocked that she could write about food without having step-by-step photos of preparations. How sad for that person that the whole purpose of her writing isn't about how to cook but how to enjoy cooking, how to enjoy the friends that will eat your food and how to enjoy life. This is a book by a writer who will transport you into another world - if you give her your time and hand.

This author can write! Her descriptions of people, environments, food and relationship are first class.

Unlike the first three books that were memoirs of her travels and life with her husband, A Thousand Days in Venice, A Thousand Days in Tuscany, and The Lady in the Palazzo, this book is really Tosca Brazzi's story as told to Marlena.

De Blasi descriptions of simple, everyday things are strong, such as: Unskilled, unshy hands pounded scales on the piano." I could hear the music and see that person working the keys.

What an interesting story de Blasi tells because of her chance meeting with a woman, now in her mid 60s, while traveling with her husband, Italian born Fernando. Tosca, the nine-year-old daughter of a peasant under the last prince in Sicily, was given to the prince by her father in trade for a stallion. She was educated along with the prince's young children and as she grew, became their teacher. A priest who knew her in the beginning described her as having "splendid arrogance."

At 18, Tosca became the mistress of Leo, the prince, now 36. When Leo disappeared mysteriously because his work for the people went against the local mafia, Tosco became an heiress. She carries on his work of modernizing some of culture. Sicily is like a major character in the book and we learn about many aspects of life there.

The story today is of Tosca's role in helping women who are alone--many who come to the beautiful Villa Donnafugata (house of fleeing women) to live, and maybe to die.

If you love good writing that is descriptive to the finest detail, read this book. In the first chapter she describes the ceiling of the dining room in the Villa: "Fragment of frescoed gods and goddesses--plump flanked and rolling eyes--hurtle across the high crumbling walls, giving chase up onto the great vault of the ceiling."

The author has been a journalist, restaurant critic, and cookbook author. She took a trip to Italy, and there experienced a whirlwind love affair with a man and with Venice, inspiring her to write _A Thousand Days in Venice.

Armchair Interviews says: Not a memoir of de Blasi's life, but of Tosca's, however this is a good read you'll enjoy.

I have read and re-read A Thousand Days in Venice, A Thousand Days in Tuscany and The Lady in the Palazzo, so was delighted when That Summer in Sicily was released. It is another exquisitely-written, tender story of love and food in Italy. Di Blasi replaces the on-going love story of herself and Fernando with the stories of Tosca and the Last Prince and Tosca and The Widows. It is not only di Blasi's ability to create visual images with her words but more to evoke an atmosphere of timeless, genuine romance that draws one in. This is a woman totally seduced by food who can fall completely in love with an Italian man, whose idea of cuisine before they met was under-cooked pasta paired with over-cooked chicken breast and jarred sauce. This is a book in which to appreciate, understand and share the true joy of love. I can't wait for her next book.

In "That Summer in Sicily," author Marlena de Blasi shifts focus from her own memoirs (which bracket the story) to tell the story of Tosca Brozzi and her lover, Leo, the last prince of the area. During a summer of traveling and writing, de Blasi and her still-new husband arrive at Villa Donnafugata (literally "The House of the Driven-Out Women"), a community of women of all ages, who are living together in relative peace and harmony. After a few days in the villa, Tosca confides her story to de Blasi, which forms the bulk of the book.

The traditions she evokes are fascinating and other-worldly: the beautiful maiden, handsome prince, bitter wife, jealous siblings and external threat, in the form of a Mafia boss. De Blasi seems incapable of having an ordinary moment - even such mundane aspects of life as washing and braiding hair take on an almost religious significance. Tosca's community and its traditions provide an intriguing glimpse into a very different way of living.

Why, then, only three stars? Quite simply, the narrative bogged down in the middle, at least for me. Leo's story and reforms, the "inevitable doom" hanging over him, just didn't draw me in the way day-to-day life in the villa did, or even Tosca's childhood narrative. We all know it's not going to end well, so his clash was almost predictable. The twist at the end was a surprise, but since I hadn't been very engaged in Leo's story, it was only intellectually interesting.

It's an interesting idea and de Blasi tells a good story, but I didn't enjoy it as much as her other works.

While not in the normal de Blasi vein, this is nonetheless a riviting read. The story is intriguing though it isn't really about Chou and Fernando. It's a story that's relayed to Chou in the course of one of their trips through Italy. I couldn't put it down. There's no doubt that she has a way with words. Throw in all the wonderful food descriptions and this is bound to be a favorite book for any foodie or lover of Italian stories.

I have read all of Marlena DeBlasi's books, but consider this to be the best. It is easy reading and throughly enjoyable!That Summer in Sicily: A Love Story

This is one of the most well written and memorable books I have ever read.(and I read alot). The author transports you to another place and time.This story stays with me a year after finishing the book. Finishing this book is like waking from a wonderful dreamworld that you don't want to leave. This book will touch your heart and soul!

I went to the library to check out Frances Mayes' Under the Tuscan Sun: At Home in Italy but there were no copies on the shelf. I looked for something similar and found de Blasi's 'That Summer in Sicily'. I have since read both books and give de Blasi's book much higher marks; her book makes you yearn to learn about the pasts of the intriguing people you meet in the book, and know more about Sicily and its history and traditions. It has been a long time since a book made me want to change my lifestyle, and succeed, if even only a little. de Blasi's descriptions of sights, smells, sounds and especially taste are softly, yet vividly delivered. 'Under the Tuscan Sun' has similar descriptions, but it lacks a story line; you live with Frances, day after beautiful Tuscan day, but without any direction. Both books indulge the senses, but de Blasi situates hers amidst an unforgettable, true love story.

I loved this book. Have read most of her books and I think this is one of my favorites.