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3.57 AVERAGE
3.57 AVERAGE
This is the book for you if you're in the mood for some laugh out loud reading. Quirky, funny main characters you can't help but liking. Mix in the luscious countryside of Tuscany and a cast of supporting characters that add intrigue and mystery to this delightful novel.
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Cooking With Fernet Branca is a slice of life story featuring the Englishman Gerald and Eastern European Marta living as neighbors in Italy. Conflict between the two is immediate, but done in the civilized manner of disguising your dislike until it moderates into toleration, and possibly even friendship. There's lots of snark, some laugh-out-loud moments, and even some touching sympathy in places. The writing meanders around all sorts of territory, from the recipes of the title to European politics to family dynamics to social commentary, but the lack of focus isn't really a problem since there's not really much of a plot to follow (at least, until some excitement near the end). If you find the characters enjoyable to follow and like the mostly-understated dry humor, as I did, then you'll likely have fun with this one.
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
welcome to the hilariously random world of Gerry, his cooking, and his misunderstandings with his eastern european neighbour.
I hesitated to give this book 5 stars only because I may just be so relieved to have enjoyed a book after a long succession of vanilla before it. But after looking backwards through my list of books I've read until finding the last book I enjoyed so much, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, I've decided that, yes, it earned those stars.
The book is told from the points of view of two alternating narrators who are neighbors in Tuscany. Gerald is an uptight narcissist who loves his solitude and is therefore disappointed when Marta moves in next door. Each of them is convinced that it is the other that is butting into his/her life. Also, each of them considers the other a drunk. Gerald is hilarious and Marta is adorable. Over the course of the book I grew to trust Marta more. I'm not sure if that was supposed to happen.
This book was just perfect, and I would recommend it to anyone.
The book is told from the points of view of two alternating narrators who are neighbors in Tuscany. Gerald is an uptight narcissist who loves his solitude and is therefore disappointed when Marta moves in next door. Each of them is convinced that it is the other that is butting into his/her life. Also, each of them considers the other a drunk. Gerald is hilarious and Marta is adorable. Over the course of the book I grew to trust Marta more. I'm not sure if that was supposed to happen.
This book was just perfect, and I would recommend it to anyone.
3 stars / Fiction
Delightful & humorous-at times.
Only if you like this type of novel would I recommend.
Delightful & humorous-at times.
Only if you like this type of novel would I recommend.
A hilarious spoof of the "A Year in Provence" and "Under the Tuscan Sun" type travelogues focused on a couple of real weirdos, Gerald and Marta who end up as neighbours on a clifftop in Italy. The odious Gerald fancies himself as a gourmand of discriminating tastes and not half shabby as a chef but unless you fancy variously cooked domestic animals paired with exotic and highly potent Italian liqueurs and other combustible combinations, you won't be rushing off to the stove to follow his recipes. Marta is a rather unique character as well. Not meaning to do any disservice to Miriam Margolyes but I couldn't help picturing her in the role if this book ever got made into a film (which it should). Cleverly written and very entertaining, so long as you don't expect anything remotely resembling credibility.