About this item
Highlights
- "Extra Virgin is pure delight.
- Author(s): Annie Hawes
- 352 Pages
- Travel, Europe
Description
Book Synopsis
"Extra Virgin is pure delight. Annie Hawes has written a memoir as lovely as the Italian Riviera." -- Susan Isaacs, New York Times Bestselling Author
In 1983, a pale Annie Hawes and her equally pale sister leave England for the sun-drenched olive groves of a small Italian town in Liguria. With fantasies of handsome tanned men and swimming in the sea urging them on, they are hired to work for ten weeks to graft roses -- of which they have little knowledge -- along the Italian Riviera, board and lodging included.
But none of the men seem to be under forty, and Ligurians have particular ideas about life, including swimming ("To go swimming in seawater outside the month of July or August is even worse for your health than drinking cappuccino after twelve noon!"). But Annie and her sister are captivated by San Pietro's quirkiness and beauty, and suddenly their brief stay stretches into years, as they are bemused, charmed, and ultimately accepted by the eccentric inhabitants of their adopted home.
From the Back Cover
In 1983, a pale Annie Hawes and her equally pale sister leave England for the sun-drenched olive groves of a small Italian town in Liguria. With fantasies of handsome tanned men and swimming in the sea urging them on, they are hired to work for ten weeks to graft roses -- of which they have little knowledge -- along the Italian Riviera, board and lodging included.But none of the men seem to be under forty, and Ligurians have particular ideas about life, including swimming ("To go swimming in seawater outside the month of July or August is even worse for your health than drinking cappuccino after twelve noon!"). But Annie and her sister are captivated by San Pietro's quirkiness and beauty, and suddenly their brief stay stretches into years, as they are bemused, charmed, and ultimately accepted by the eccentric inhabitants of their adopted home.Resonating with captivating verve and humor, Extra Virgin dishes up a sumptuous sampling of Italian life from an irresistible new voice.Review Quotes
"This impeccably reported book...represents good journalism." -- Cleveland Plain Dealer
"Extra Virgin is pure delight. Annie Hawes has written a memoir as lovely as the Italian Riviera." -- Susan Isaacs, author of Red, White and Blue
"Extra Virgin will entertain and delight readers." -- Library Journal
"[Annie Hawes] describes Liguria with wonder, illumination, and wit. This blithe account will have gastronomes and travelers drooling." -- Publishers Weekly