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Originally Posted by Stella
Couldn't agree more about Annie Hawes - a worthy successor to Tim Parks' early contributions to the 'foreigner living in Italy' genre ('Italian Neighbours' and 'An Italian Education'). But sorry, I loathed Isabella Dusi and her fawning adulation of all things Italian and complete rejection of her own culture.
Having read Iris Origo's 'War in the Val D'Orcia' and 'Images and Shadows', I loved Caroline Moorhead's 'Iris Origo' - she covers all the interesting bits that Iris was too discreet to mention . . .
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Oh, yes, War in the Val D'Orcia, Images & Shadows and Moorhead's biography all wonderful reads about a wonderful woman. We're very fond of her especially as our house actually looks out on to her estate at La Foce. If you haven't been, you must go. One of the most beautiful settings on earth and the gardens are a dream especially now and in June. I often wonder what it must have been like here during the War. Interesting to note that there's quite a large annual commemoration at a village v close to La Foce entitled "we should not forget them" celebrating the role played by the partisans. It gets a lot of publicity and I sometimes wonder what visiting German tourists must think.
Love Ferenc Mate (that was based near here, wonder if he's still there?). And Donna Leon's books are marvellous, she really manages to capture the authentic atmosphere of real Venice.
Am not keen on the woman writing about Montalcino for she's done a "Mayle" and been partially responsible for a turning an adorable little town in to a horrible tourist trap from May to September. Much prefer her books but suppose you could say the same for Frances Mayes over at Cortona. That USED to be a nice little town too. You know people in the States only want to visit to see her house? Point out that there's one of the finest works of art in the diocesan museum and their eyes glaze over. All they want is Bramisole.