Atavismo!: My Home in Italy (Paperback)
June 19, 2009 by Traveler
Filed under Travel Italy Guides
Product Description
Ann?s journey to learn about her Italian heritage evolved into loving Italy with its wondrous food, medieval stone villages built into the sides of mountains, the colorful confetti shops in Sulmona, the tartufo festival in Succiano, the town celebration of Feragosto, and the festas in Goriano Valli.
The adventure of exploring off-the-beaten-track hidden itineraries, cooking in the church kitchen of a monk, shopping at the local markets in San Demetrio and L?Aquila, buying food from trucksters who delivered right to the front door, seeing ricotta being made in a shepherd?s shack, picking artichokes in her cousin?s garden, and living like an Italian in the village she was born in opened the door to a heritage and family previously unknown to her.
She learned of a scandal in her parent?s family, never known to her American family, and heard moving stories of unrequited love and wartime heroism.
From the fabulous cooks in her family, recipes for chinghiale, zucchini flower fritters, carbonara, chicken cacciatore, milk of almond from the times of Michelangelo, polenta on the board and many other recipes are included in this book.
About the Author
Ann is a graduate of Drexel University in Philadelphia; loves opera, gardening, cooking, her new Italian family and foraging. She is an accomplished cook and cooking teacher with published newspaper features on her classes. Ann is currently living with her husband Ralph in Fort Myers, Florida.
Visit author at Atavismo.com
Buy Atavismo!: My Home in Italy (Paperback) at Amazon
I’ve read several books on personal memories of Italy but this is the best that I’ve found! It reminded me of the happy childhood days I spent in my Italian Grandma’s kitchen watching her cook while she told me stories of the old country. It is the perfect blend of “feel good” family stories and descriptions of food that make you want to run out to your local Italian restaurant–or even better, try the family recipes that Ann lists at the end. I admit that I’d love to have an experience like this. Read it and you’ll understand! It definitely appeals to all of your senses!
It’s written as though the author were right there telling you her story in her own words without a lot of other stuff that you don’t care about.
Anyone with Italian roots or wanted to be Italian should read this book.
A charming woman writing about a little-visited region of Italy. But, oh good gosh – why wasn’t someone proofing this book?? Spelling and grammer errors in her Italian, and generally weak English composition were a constant distraction to me as I read of her very personnel adventures which were a wonderful exploration of her family history in Abruzzo.
Such an interesting story and because it is a true adventure, all the more meaningful. Could relate to so many thoughts of the author. One just hasn’t lived until experiencing a visit to Italy or to Sicily. Having done both, I suggest that everyone try it just once; you will never be the same! I found this book to be a great read and I know that all book lovers will enjoy it, too .
G. Villalba,
Idaho
4.0 out of 5 stars
Traveling in Anna Maria’s Footsteps
I particularly enjoyed Anna Maria’s discovery of her Italian family. Through her writing I sensed how meeting them enriched her life.
5.0 out of 5 stars
A return to her roots
I initially met the author in the Rome airport struggling to find change to pay for parking. Realizing she was speaking English, we had a small discussion and she handed me her…