Wednesday, December 19, 2012

The Divorced Lady's Companion to Living in Italy by Catherine McNamara




Paperback: 284 pages
GenreHumorous fiction
Publisher: Indigo Dreams Publishing Ltd 2012

Source: The Author in exchange for an unbiased review.

First Sentence: An old friend of mine named Jean fell through a tear in her marriage and landed on her feet.
Review Quote:   Fast, sexy and very funny and reveals an Italy you've never seen before. It's the perfect read for anyone who believes, erroneously, that it's too late to start again. Now where did I put my passport? Chris Manby - Author
My Opinion: Hilarious


The front cover of this novel states that is based on the author’s vast experience and wild imagination. She is not kidding; I hope I have taken this novel in the right spirit as I found it hilarious! It is certainly rather different from the Italy I know and love but then I am not Marilyn Wade who was looking for a new start after divorce! Marilyn just seems to attract the most incredible characters, finding herself in some strange situations! 
After her divorce she decides that she needs to escape from the life she finds dull and boring in England, Italy is her choice following in the footsteps of an old contact she admired. So much happens in the novel that there is no chance of you finding it dull, it is well written and Catherine McNamara makes some clever reflections on human nature.
Arriving in Milano, Marilyn finds it all much harder than she expected: but with the help of an insensitive Australian woman, some interesting male contacts and copious amounts of Italian coffee she starts to find her feet! Or does she you will have to read to find out the consequences of her adventures.

If you are looking for a fast paced, funny read, which leaves nothing to the imagination then this might appeal.  Although it is set in Italy I do not necessarily think that this is going to appeal to all Italophiles but it will appeal to those looking for a light hearted read.

Author  Profile.


Catherine is an Australian; she grew up in Sydney, migrated to Paris then Milan . She lived in Africa for thirteen years where she travelled widely, worked in an embassy in Mogadishu, Somalia,  ran a bar and a traditional art gallery in Accra Ghana . Returning to Italy eight years ago she now lives beneath the Colli Euganei in Padova and has a love hate relationship with Italy, depending on the moment.
She has dabbled in photography, selling African art, translating physics and raising a family. Besides writing she enjoys  playing Chopin, free heel ski-ing and swimming.
Over the years she has written and published short stories in Europe, the USA and Australia. The Divorced Lady's Companion to living in Italy is her first novel.


The biographical information and photo used in this post are with thanks to the following websites, where you can also find more information about the author and her writing.


3 comments:

  1. My apologies about the poor formatting in this review! I have no idea why it turned out like this I did not do anything differently.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I was wondering the same about the formatting!
    This is your "T" book ;)!

    I have never been to Italy. Perhaps, when I visit and for a different perspective, I might pick this up!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No this was my T title!
      http://lindyloumacbookreviews.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/things-i-want-my-daughters-to-know-by.html

      Delete

I indulge my love of books with this blog and it makes it all worthwhile when you leave comments. I really am interested in what you think so do let me know. I have decided as the nature of this review blog makes for conversation in the comments, just to reply here and not individually, so please subscribe to comments or call back again to stay in the conversation. Thankyou for your continued support.