It is some years since I read this book, which I got as a gift after spending an Easter holiday in Italy. I loved the notion of a book set in Italy that gave a significant focus to the art of Italian cooking. The device used by the author to exploit the Cyrano de Bergerac story in this context seemed to be far more clever and attractive than an American film starring Steve Martin that utilised the same story.
The art student Laura was typical of a rather naive foreign student who allowed herself to be seduced as much by her surroundings as by the handsome Tommaso, who proves himself to be a really insincere Lothario, the very cliché of an Italian lover who preys on unsuspecting gullible tourists. Far more sympathetic is the character Bruno, who feels as strongly about his food as he does about Laura, and who applies himself to expressing those feelings as expertly as he can in constructing meals and menus that Tommaso will exploit in his seduction of Laura. Bruno expresses himself best by going through the canon of Italian cuisine rather than the French cuisine of the rather pretentious Roman restaurant he works in. As he prepares his menu in secret for Laura, it is an opportunity for him to give rein to his passion for Italian regional food and as a poet might pen his poetry to the object of his desire so does Bruno construct each recipe as a love letter to Laura. The fact that it is Tommaso who will benefit from Bruno's devotion is the Capella take on the Cyrano story.
There were elements in this book that did stretch the willing suspension of our disbelief, especially the episodes in the mountainy regions, but in general I found this to be an entertaining and enjoyable read.
But then, I am one of those Anglophone tourist women, mentioned by Grinning Cat 2 in her review. She being an expert on all things Italian has taken a totally different outlook on this book, and some of her remarks were eye-opening for me. Nonetheless, I still retain an affection for this story, even though my knowledge of Italian is not sufficient to translate the complexities of some of the phrases mentioned by my co-reviewer, nor to understand the apparent vulgarity that is hidden in some of them. The fact that the book was an enjoyable read without the need to understand these elements might indeed indicate their unnecessary superfluity.
This is still a book that I will remember as an enjoyable read; one that made me want to taste some of the dishes which seemed so delicious in their description, and made me wish to have the courage to drive through some of the Italian countryside regions that are scene settings for parts of the book.
My co-reviewer,Grinning Cat 2, has agreed to differ with my opinions on this book and you may read her well-worded revuew HERE