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The Long Road Home

by A.J. Reiss

222 pages; quality trade paperback (softcover); catalogue #08-0309; ISBN 1-4251-7306-3; US$20.49, C$20.49, EUR14.00, £10.58

Seduced by the simplicity and pared-down elements of her new life on a farm in Northern Tuscany and her adopted town of Lucca, Amanda transitions through being a worker, friend, lover and family member in a fascinating walk through Italian culture.

About the Book

A full length portrait of A.J. Reiss's journey in Italy, from tourist to resident. A journey that has her destiny hidden in it, she encounters her past when she discovers her father's stories from 1943 are still alive, in her meeting of an old world war two girlfriend of his. Seduced by the simplicity and pared-down elements of her new life on a farm in Northern Tuscany and her adopted town of Lucca, she meets the love of her life, finds the freedom to recreate herself as a lover, friend and family member. There she views her roots from afar, and the perspective of distance brings understanding of what it means to belong to a certain tribe of the human race. What it is to be an immigrant and what it means to be an Italian seen through the lens of a foreigner. Her accounts stripped bare of the romantic cloud that always accompanies accounts of life in Italy, instead reveal a complex nation that defies categorization.

Transitioning from restoring and managing villas in Tuscany, to eventually buying and restoring her own two hundred year old home near Como four years later, she reveals the real Italy. An Italy that has won her affection.

Recounting her journeys made across Italy where, Venice, Florence, Siena, Lucca, Cinque Terre and Ischia all give themselves up to her, to explore, delve into their secrets and then, finally own as a local. A fascinating walk through Italy.. Italyexpat

Reviews

The story of the experiences Amanda has in her journey of five years as a new immigrant to Italy. Her experiences are told first hand, and her narration avoids the cliche of a rose-colored Tuscany. It tells the story of her reinventing herself in a new culture. The culture shock she experiences at first, finding a job, falling in love, merging her existence with those of her new Italian family. Then the climax, her integration and her representing the culture by reflecting the voices of the Italians all around her.

This captivating read asks what makes Italy so fascinating to so many, and through the authors experiences and encounters, answers the question.

Living and Working Italy

The evocative writing on Italy takes you right there.

Emily Sharp

About the Author

A.J. Reiss lives in Italy, where she works as a writer and photographer.

Excerpts