It’s possible youve already read it, but Still Life by Sarah Winman is a wonderful book, made even better by reading it in Tuscany (where it’s set, and where I live). One of my favourite books ever, the kind of book that stays with you long after you finish it.
Look at the acknowledgements at the back of the book.... I was Sarah's consultant for all things Florence and food and got to read the manuscript before anyone else did! It was one of the best gig's I've ever had! Sarah and I are planning a Still Life trip in November next year too.... more on that soon!
Ok, Suddenly, you’re on the hook! I’ve bought the book on your recommendation. I had a look on Google books, then on the audio version (some credits to spend). I didn’t like the audio version as one of the characters was portrayed with an old voice. As she’s my age, I thought ‘nope’ and bought the paper version (coming tomorrow). I might just be able to give you my opinion before this thread closes…
Hey, Suddenly! The book arrived yesterday but I didn’t get to it until today. I was (and still am) swept up in the turbulence of The House of Lilies (Firnhaber-Baker), which I will go back to after a nice interlude with Still Life. I’m on page 25 so far, and liking it very much*. I don’t care for the lack of quotation marks (how else to mark internal vs external conversation?) however that is a quibble of the first order. The book is great! Thank you for the tip! If you want something light, sunny, and cheerful, do try The Darling Buds of May, if you haven’t already read it.
* What’s not to like? The art doesn’t phase me (I come from a 4-generation art gallery family) and I used to work in the wine trade…I ended up in Austria, right on the Italian border, instead of Italy, which was my first choice. Imagine, if you will, an Italian version of Germany, and you have what is like here. Everything works but it’s very relaxed.
It would be a bit late to this party but I always try to read HE Bates’s The Darling Buds of May each year. It’s hilarious and, in its way, very foodie. It was written ages ago (1958) so you may find it a bit dated but for me, it’s the ideal summer opener. Seriously lighthearted.
I love the sound of a workshop in Japan. It might entice me to finally get myself there and visit, something I have wanted to do for many many years but have not (because of time being in short supply - and price).
I have just finished "Racconti Romani" by Jhumpa Lahiri. I found it compelling: the writer being a British-American author with west Bengal origins makes it very interesting (some of the stories in that book address immigrants from Bengal in Rome. -She lives in Rome since 2012.).
I hope to see you next time you are up here in the lagoon! I learned SO much about Italian American immigration from this book by Juliet Grames, The Seven or Eight Deaths of Stella Fortuna.
Ooh thank you, this is the exact thing (and time period) I was looking for! And yes, hope I can though it's always a pretty full on trip -- I need to come to Venice just for fun!
Loved reading this. I adore perusing many of the local fleas across Italy. That speckled bowl was something! I am haunted by this amazing large ceramic bowl with a hand painted trinacria I missed out on in Palermo. Still think about it!
Those ceramics!!! 😍 I have just returned from Umbria/Marche/Emilia-Romagna trip and managed a set of colourful Venetian glassware, but nearly wept leaving the ceramics behind. The sad choices we must make when travelling carry on. 💔
The info on dialects and food via Pei is fascinating! How exciting you’ll be at Honey & Co - love going there when in London. Glad you got most your travel in before it gets unbearably hot here again ☹️
It’s possible youve already read it, but Still Life by Sarah Winman is a wonderful book, made even better by reading it in Tuscany (where it’s set, and where I live). One of my favourite books ever, the kind of book that stays with you long after you finish it.
Look at the acknowledgements at the back of the book.... I was Sarah's consultant for all things Florence and food and got to read the manuscript before anyone else did! It was one of the best gig's I've ever had! Sarah and I are planning a Still Life trip in November next year too.... more on that soon!
Oh 😂😂😂 So you already know how good it is then! A Still Life trip sounds amazing.
Ok, Suddenly, you’re on the hook! I’ve bought the book on your recommendation. I had a look on Google books, then on the audio version (some credits to spend). I didn’t like the audio version as one of the characters was portrayed with an old voice. As she’s my age, I thought ‘nope’ and bought the paper version (coming tomorrow). I might just be able to give you my opinion before this thread closes…
OK but give it 50 pages or so - at first you’ll think it’s not for you, then you won’t be able to put it down!
Hey, Suddenly! The book arrived yesterday but I didn’t get to it until today. I was (and still am) swept up in the turbulence of The House of Lilies (Firnhaber-Baker), which I will go back to after a nice interlude with Still Life. I’m on page 25 so far, and liking it very much*. I don’t care for the lack of quotation marks (how else to mark internal vs external conversation?) however that is a quibble of the first order. The book is great! Thank you for the tip! If you want something light, sunny, and cheerful, do try The Darling Buds of May, if you haven’t already read it.
* What’s not to like? The art doesn’t phase me (I come from a 4-generation art gallery family) and I used to work in the wine trade…I ended up in Austria, right on the Italian border, instead of Italy, which was my first choice. Imagine, if you will, an Italian version of Germany, and you have what is like here. Everything works but it’s very relaxed.
It would be a bit late to this party but I always try to read HE Bates’s The Darling Buds of May each year. It’s hilarious and, in its way, very foodie. It was written ages ago (1958) so you may find it a bit dated but for me, it’s the ideal summer opener. Seriously lighthearted.
Oh thank you for the recommendation!
I love the sound of a workshop in Japan. It might entice me to finally get myself there and visit, something I have wanted to do for many many years but have not (because of time being in short supply - and price).
I'll keep you in the loop!
I have just finished "Racconti Romani" by Jhumpa Lahiri. I found it compelling: the writer being a British-American author with west Bengal origins makes it very interesting (some of the stories in that book address immigrants from Bengal in Rome. -She lives in Rome since 2012.).
Thank you for this, sounds good!
I hope to see you next time you are up here in the lagoon! I learned SO much about Italian American immigration from this book by Juliet Grames, The Seven or Eight Deaths of Stella Fortuna.
Ooh thank you, this is the exact thing (and time period) I was looking for! And yes, hope I can though it's always a pretty full on trip -- I need to come to Venice just for fun!
Loved reading this. I adore perusing many of the local fleas across Italy. That speckled bowl was something! I am haunted by this amazing large ceramic bowl with a hand painted trinacria I missed out on in Palermo. Still think about it!
I have a collection of memories of beautiful old ceramics I sadly missed out on and keep thinking about!
Those ceramics!!! 😍 I have just returned from Umbria/Marche/Emilia-Romagna trip and managed a set of colourful Venetian glassware, but nearly wept leaving the ceramics behind. The sad choices we must make when travelling carry on. 💔
Japan workshop sounds good - I’d be interested to hear more
The info on dialects and food via Pei is fascinating! How exciting you’ll be at Honey & Co - love going there when in London. Glad you got most your travel in before it gets unbearably hot here again ☹️
I would absolutely be interested in a Japan cooking workshop!
Thank you!
The workshop in Japan would be my dream come true!
What a gorgeous read - I am reading this a month later as it just popped up on my feed - what a treat.
Thanks Sheryl, glad you enjoyed it!