When in Rome

Description

Rome in the 1950s, there's nowhere quite like it. The narrow stone streets, the fountains and piazzas full of life in the heat of the day, the cafes and bars full of music and desire by night. . . This is where Serafina calls home. Having grown up with her sisters in a tiny apartment tucked in the top of a tumbledown building, she has watched her mother get by on next to nothing, and turn herself beautiful with a sweep of eyeliner and a hand-sewn dress. When her mother goes out, Serafina and her sisters go singing in the nearest piazza, busking for spare change and cinema tickets. The girls long to meet their matinee idols and Serafina daydreams of Mario Lanza and his spellbinding voice. But the sisters will grow up quickly and for Serafina, a choice opens between the world she knows and the life she dreams of.

When Nicky Pellegrino's Italian father came to England he fell in love with and married a Liverpool girl. He brought to his new family his passion for food and instilled in them what all Italians know - that you live to eat instead of eating to live. This Italian mantra is the inspiration behind Nicky's delicious novels. Every summer the family left their home in Merseyside and returned to her father's home town, near Naples, in southern Italy. When Nicky met and married a New Zealander she moved to Auckland where she works as a journalist and edits a woman's magazine. She hoards her annual leave so that she and her husband can return to Italy to meet up with her family and to eat the best mozzarella and research her books.

I LOVED this book so much I could hardly wait to get to the computer to type its praises. ... This book has inside-track glamour in spades and all the colour of La Dolce Vita-period Rome. ... An original subject and beautifully handled. Brava Nicky. -- Wendy Holden * DAILY MAIL * This is a captivating tale of passion, heartbreak, food and music. A compelling read, this beautifully crafted novel will make you want to explore the historic city of Rome. * CANDIS * In 1950s Rome, Serafina never dreamt she'd meet her hero - America Tenor Mario Lanza ... joining the Lanza household, where luxury and splendour mix with alcoholism and depression, Serafina realises that all that glitters is not gold. * WEIGHT WATCHERS MAGAZINE * Enchanting and tender... With all the flavours and scents of Italy as a backdrop to make your mouth water, this book will delight but break your heart at times. A tale of longing, love and friendship, beautifully written and original * TELEGRAPH & ARGUS * In 1950s Rome Pellegrino creates the ultimate romantic setting for heroine Serafina to explore love, music, food and passion. * BIG ISSUE IN THE NORTH *