A review by bookwormjimmy
From Scratch: A Memoir of Love, Sicily, and Finding Home by Tembi Locke

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

4.25

A touching memoir of love and loss, a look at grief and a hope for optimism. Tembi Locke recalls her story of meeting Saro, her Sicilian husband, while on a trip to Italy, their time falling in love together, and how cancer slowly crept into their lives and took Saro away. Locke reflects on the cultural obstacles she and Saro would have to face together. His traditional Sicilian family wasn't exactly thrilled that he was marrying a black, American women, and the divide it would create would strain their relationship early on. Will their families ever meet?

This was a beautiful, inspiring read that's more than the trope of finding oneself in the hills of Italy through prayer, eating, and falling in love. No, it's more than that. From the moment Tembi sat down at Saro's restaurant and was treated to a symphony of dishes that's practically the epitome of their falling in love, I was hooked. I wanted to see them succeed and live a happy life, even though from the first few pages you know full well the conclusion of Saro's story. Locke weaves a narrative that's an outpouring of her grief, yet still offers a glimmer of optimism to what the future holds for her and their daughter Zoela.

A beautiful story that's worth reading. Definitely recommend!
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