The Mother-in-Law Cure (Originally published as Only in Naples) - by Katherine Wilson (Paperback)

About the Book

"Full of lighthearted humor, sumptuous food, the wisdom of an Italian mother-in-law, and all the atmosphere of Elena Ferrante's Neapolitan Novels, this warm and witty memoir follows American-born Katherine Wilson on her adventures abroad. Thanks to a surprising romance--and a spirited woman who teaches her to laugh, to seize joy, and to love--a three-month rite of passage in Naples turns into a permanent embrace of this boisterous city on the Mediterranean."--Amazon.com.

Book Synopsis

Full of lighthearted humor, sumptuous food, the wisdom of an Italian mother-in-law, and all the atmosphere of Elena Ferrante's Neapolitan Novels, this warm and witty memoir follows American-born Katherine Wilson on her adventures abroad. Thanks to a surprising romance--and a spirited woman who teaches her to laugh, to seize joy, and to love--a three-month rite of passage in Naples turns into a permanent embrace of this boisterous city on the Mediterranean.

In this warmly funny and spirited memoir, American-born Katherine Wilson arrives in Naples, Italy, for an internship at the U.S. Consulate. One evening, she meets handsome Salvatore and finds herself immediately enveloped by his elegant mother, Raffaella, and the rest of the Avallone family. From that moment, Katherine's education begins: Never eat the crust of a pizza first, always stand up and fight for yourself and your loved ones, and consider mealtimes sacred--food must be prepared fresh and consumed in compagnia. Unexpectedly falling for Salvatore, and captivated by Raffaella's companionship and guidance, Katherine discovers how to prepare meals that sing--from hearty, thick ragù to comforting pasta al forno. Through courtship, culture clashes, marriage, and motherhood, Katherine comes to appreciate carnale, the quintessentially Neapolitan sense of comfort and confidence in one's own skin. The Mother-in-Law Cure is a sumptuous story that is a feast for the senses. Goethe said, "See Naples and die." But Katherine Wilson saw Naples and started to live.

Praise for The Mother-in-Law Cure

"In a world filled with food memoirs, this one stands out. Katherine Wilson gives us more than the fabulous food of Naples. She offers us a passport to an exotic country we would never be able to enter on our own."--Ruth Reichl, author of My Kitchen Year

"Warmhearted . . . an exuberant account of love and great Italian food."--Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"Sweet and humorous."--Publishers Weekly

"Wilson has written a glorious memoir celebrating the holy trinity of Italian life: love, food, and family. Her keen eye and sense of humor take you through the winding streets of Naples at a clip, on a ride you hope will never end."--Adriana Trigiani, author of The Shoemaker's Wife

"How lucky we are to get these hilarious and wise perceptions filtered through a sincerely loving eye."--Julie Klam, author of Friendkeeping

"This thoroughly enjoyable love letter to Naples is a tribute to the author's irrepressible mother-in-law."--Luisa Weiss, author of My Berlin Kitchen and founder of The Wednesday Chef

Review Quotes

"In a world filled with food memoirs, this one stands out. Katherine Wilson gives us more than the fabulous food of Naples. She offers us a passport to an exotic country we would never be able to enter on our own."--Ruth Reichl, author of My Kitchen Year

"Warmhearted . . . an exuberant account of love and great Italian food."--Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"Sweet and humorous."--Publishers Weekly

"Katherine Wilson has written a glorious memoir celebrating the holy trinity of Italian life: love, food, and family. Her keen eye and sense of humor take you through the winding streets of Naples at a clip, on a ride you hope will never end. If you love Italy, or the idea of it, you will love this book. And, if you ever plan to visit Naples, tuck this in your suitcase: It's the best primer I've ever read as a guide to this bustling, vibrant southern Italian port city."--Adriana Trigiani, author of The Shoemaker's Wife

"In her debut memoir, Only in Naples, Katherine Wilson manages to combine everything I love--food, family, and Italy--with heaping portions of heart and humor. How lucky we are to get these hilarious and wise perceptions filtered through a sincerely loving eye. You'll want to share this book with friends and family over a big bowl of rigatoni alla Genovese."--Julie Klam, author of Friendkeeping

"This thoroughly enjoyable love letter to Naples is a tribute to the author's irrepressible mother-in-law, a larger-than-life figure who teaches Wilson (and us) not just how to cook a true Neapolitan lasagna complete with tiny meatballs, but how to approach life itself with gusto and a healthy appetite. Read this and you'll find yourself pining for your very own sequined Italian mother-in-law."--Luisa Weiss, author of My Berlin Kitchen and founder of The Wednesday Chef

"Only in Naples is a cozy, funny, heartfelt love letter to Katherine Wilson's adopted city and beloved family-by-marriage, especially her mother-in-law, the gorgeous, indomitable Raffaella, whose cooking fills these pages with luscious ricotta and chewy octopus alike. Wilson's easygoing writing perfectly suits this tale of an innocent abroad, an American girl who discovers herself in the midst of a foreign culture that becomes, in the end, her own."--Kate Christensen, author of How to Cook a Moose

"A delightful, insightful tale of being romanced by a vibrant city, a strong-willed mother and a sweet man--all at once . . . Wilson's eye for detail and character bring the culture, the rhythm, and the food of Naples to life. Only in Naples is a must-read for anyone who loves Italian food--and isn't that everyone?"--Kathleen Flinn, author of The Sharper Your Knife, the Less You Cry

About the Author

Katherine Wilson was born and raised in Washington, D.C. She graduated Magna Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Princeton University, where she studied with Toni Morrison and Peter Sellars. She has lived in Italy for the past nineteen years, working in television, film, and theater. Most recently, she acted in Giuseppe Tornatore's The Best Offer, with Geoffrey Rush and Donald Sutherland. She lives in Rome with her husband and their two children.