One summer in Sicily, Marlena de Blasi entered a world of unforgettable magic when she discovered the secret Sicilian villa of Donnafugata. There, life was ruled by ritual and by an unassailable seventy-year-old matriarch and protectress, Tosca.
Willowy and aloof, with an aura of a distant time, Tosca was a woman whose life story begged to be told. In the warmth of Tosca’s garden, Marlena would receive bountiful lessons of life and love as the story of Tosca’s fairy-tale romance with an Italian prince unfolded.
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"This was in the Non-Fiction section, which I usually don't go for, but it was AWESOME! I think I must have lived in some European hacienda in a previous life. The descriptions were AMAZING. I do have a healthy fear of the Sicilian people now! " — Lvolk (5 out of 5 stars)
"This was in the Non-Fiction section, which I usually don't go for, but it was AWESOME! I think I must have lived in some European hacienda in a previous life. The descriptions were AMAZING. I do have a healthy fear of the Sicilian people now! "
“The great Marlena de Blasi writes fairy tales for grownups.”
“This book reads like a suspense novel complete with a surprise ending, and though Tosca’s story is compelling, it’s in de Blasi’s telling of it that the true magic lies.”
“Marlena de Blasi’s That Summer in Sicily leaves you both enthralled and cynically envious…A joyous beach or backyard read that could transport you to distant climes.”
“Enthralling…A love story that embraces the culture and character of Sicily.”
“An extraordinary tale of passion and love stretching over decades of the twentieth century. Admirers of this author will relish her latest volume.”
“[A] fragrant tale of life and love in the mountains of Sicily…Swift, sinuous, deep, and brimming with cultural artifacts.”
" Read this book in preparation for a visit to Sicily. At first it seemed a little like homework but it grew on me. Nice story. "
" I had read 2 of her other books, but didn't enjoy them that much because I thought they were too self-absorbed. This one was much better because she concentrated on someone's else life. It was very interesting. "
" I could see this being made into a movie. This is the love story of Tosca and Leo during the rise of the Mafia in Sicily. Very good story. "
" Love her writing ... I guess this is clear. "
" This is a beautifully told love story and all the descriptions of Italian foods are totally tantalizing to a foodie like me. This story was riviting and transports you to another time and place. Well done! "
" After being so disappointed with 'Palazzo', I LOVED this book. Would have given it 4 1/2 stars if I could. Once I got to Tosca's story, I couldn't put the book down. Makes me wish for the simple life. "
" I hoped to learn about Sicily, but instead learned of a very determined woman. The twist at the end surprised me, and I kept wanting Tosca to get on her story! "
" A great story within a story. I read this and it made me feel like I actually took a trip this summer! "
" Nudna ksiazka, mialam problemy by przez nia przebrnac i mimo ze historia byla ciekawa, nie podobal mi sie sposób w jaki byla przedstawiona. Mi osobiscie ksiazka sie nie podobala, choc moja mama i babcia byly zachwycone. "
" It feels as if you're reading a fiction book. Like a fairytale. A prince and a young girl, in love. "
" I love all of Marlena De Blasi's books. They are so wonderful that I feel like I'm on these adventures too. "
Marlena de Blasi, who has worked as a chef and food and wine consultant, lives in Italy, where she assembles and conducts gastronomic tours of the various regions. She is the author of three previous memoirs, A Thousand Days in Venice, A Thousand Days in Tuscany, and The Lady in the Palazzo.
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