At Least You're In Tuscany - Jennifer Criswell

At Least You're In Tuscany

By Jennifer Criswell

  • Release Date: 2012-09-28
  • Genre: Travel in Europe
4 Score: 4 (From 26 Ratings)

Description

Endless fields of flame-like poppies. Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. The sweet, rhythmic chime of church bells.

Months upon months of unemployment? Struggling to communicate with locals? Duvets frozen on the clothesline?

Jennifer Criswell's move from New York City to Tuscany was not supposed to go like this. She had envisioned lazy mornings sipping espresso while penning a best-selling novel and jovial group dinners, just like in the movies and books about expatriate life in Italy.

Then she met reality: no work, constant struggles with Italian bureaucracy to claim citizenship through her ancestors, and perhaps worst of all, becoming the talk of the town after her torrid affair with a local fruit vendor.

At Least You're in Tuscany is the intimate, honest, and often hilarious tale of Jennifer's first year in Montepulciano. During that time, Jennifer's internal optimist was forced to work overtime, reminding her that if she were going to be homeless, lonely, and broke, at least she would be all those things - in Tuscany. 

Through all her small-town bumblings, though, Jennifer's mantra, along with a healthy dose of enthusiasm and willingness to learn about Italian culture, helped her not only build a new, rewarding life in Italy but also find herself along the way.

Reviews

  • At Least I'm in Tuscany

    5
    By Shoecrafter
    Loved this book. Really took me away from my worries. Enjoyed reading what it is like for an American living in a small town in Italy. Bravo. Marianne
  • Realistic and warm...

    5
    By CinderRose153
    Fantastic book! Jennifer captures the true, authentic realization of living in Italy as a foreigner, not adding fluff or Hollywood glamor, but instead portraying the beauty, simplicity, and rawness of Italy honestly. Brava!
  • At Least You're In Tuscany

    4
    By Jan, Saudi Arabia
    It is so enriching to smile and laugh while reading a book. It is short, but powerful and so engaging. Totally enjoyed the truthfulness, the passion that Jennifer manages to convey. Anyone who has been to Italy (and they should have done so many times in my opinion for the pure love of the very reason why Jennifer made the move of a lifetime) likely would have no idea truly about all the bureaucracy. She stuck it out. Her passion of the country rises way above the 'Stalliones' Having met 'Jenny' on several visits, she is true to her word, and we enjoy our wine experience every time. As Dr Doolittle did sing about Mary, we would sing "There's something about Jenny that we love".
  • Page turner

    5
    By bjbpsmith
    My husband and I met Jennifer while wine tasting in Montepulciano earlier this year. After some conversation and continually peppering her with questions about her move to Tuscany she mentioned that her book was just published. Loving all things Tuscany I promised to read it. Shortly after arriving home I purchased the book and began my read...it lasted just 3 days. I was hooked! I dreaded putting it down each day as other commitments arose. Opening the book began a little escape, a return to the small hilltop town we, too, found so charming. I was rooting for Jennifer to succeed, and succeed she did. It's very well written and keeps your interest from beginning to end. A true story of triumph, finding your place, and doing whatever necessary to stay there.

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