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Едно лято във Венеция

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Това не е криза на средната възраст, ясно?
Като за начало, не съм толкова стара, че да имам такава. Наричам го експеримент на щастието. Откраднах цяло лято от собствения си живот и, докато свърши, планирам да си тръгна от мястото със списък в ръка.
Десетте неща, които ме правят щастлива – това е всичко, което искам да знам. Не може да e толкова трудно, нали? Може да са малки неща – чаша чай в леглото, ден без дъжд, но може да са и по-големи. Все още съм в началото, така че как мога да знам?
Адолората Мартинели знае, че трябва да е щастлива. Има всичко, което някога е искала – собствен бизнес, съпруг
и дете. Тогава защо се чувства, сякаш нещо ѝ липсва? Когато ресторантът ѝ – “Малката Италия”, е остро критикуван от рецензент, тя осъзнава, че е изгубила единственото нещо, на което винаги е разчитала – любовта си към храната.
Затова Адолората заминава сама за Венеция, за да намери десетте неща, които я правят истински щастлива. Щом ги открие, ще построи новия си живот според тях, но дали те ще включват живота ѝ в Лондон?

328 pages, Paperback

First published April 14, 2015

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About the author

Nicky Pellegrino

19 books566 followers
I was born and grew up near Liverpool, England. For a while I worked as a magazine journalist in London but then 21 years ago I came on holiday to New Zealand and met my future husband Carne Bidwill at a wedding. Now we live together near a beach in Auckland with our dogs Charlie the standard poodle and Lucy the pointer. I spend my time writing novels, working as a freelance journalist, riding my two horses, growing veges in my garden, cooking, trying to get other people to cook for me, eating and reading. There isn't much time for anything else except a little light housework.
My all-time favourite book is To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee and my book of 2013 was LIfe After LIfe by Kate Atkinson.
I have a website www.nickypellegrino.com

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 119 reviews
Profile Image for Lee at ReadWriteWish.
690 reviews85 followers
April 17, 2015
I readily admit I love the middle aged heroine having so much going wrong in her life that she decides to escape her problems by making a sea or tree change to find herself trope, so I was keen as mustard to read this book. There was also the promise of foodporn as the main character, Dolly, is a chef. But…

I was really disappointed.

The novel is written in Dolly’s first person point of view. This should have endeared me to the character due to the intimacy this style always evokes, but unfortunately I never warmed to Dolly at all. In fact, I thought she was pretty much a self absorbed alcoholic bore.

Dolly goes on a week long holiday to Venice, to get away after her restaurant is given a bad review. Her week away soon turns into a whole summer, leaving behind her restaurant, husband, and daughter in London to fare for themselves. As a mother I just couldn’t understand this mentality. To make her even less appealing to my deep maternal side, she rarely even calls her daughter. But hey, she’s doing what makes her happy…

Dolly is slightly stalkerish. We’re introduced to many supporting characters, most of whom she basically bugs or follows around until they become her ‘friend’. Not once, but several times in the book she notes that the supporting characters, ‘don’t seem to remember her’. Get a clue, Dolly, they’re trying to avoid you!

I would also call Dolly a huge busybody. She sticks her nose into everyone’s business. She continually laments the fact that Venetians are tight lipped and secretive. It’s so annoying, especially when these are people she’s known for all of a few weeks, and she expects them to tell her all the details of their past relationships etc etc. If Dolly had been a writer, or a journalist, or some other occupation where that sort of thing feels like second nature, it might have fit into the plot easier. However, it’s rather unnerving for a chef to want to desperately know the ins and outs of all her acquaintances’ lives.

In particular, she focuses on her landlady Coco’s life. Even though Coco’s story is way more interesting than Dolly’s, I was put off by Pellegrino’s need to offer us a huge information dump near the end explaining the details.

If you’re looking for a bit of romance this isn’t the book for you either. There are hints of it here and there, but I didn’t feel any desperate need to pair up Dolly with any of the likely candidates. (Dolly claims she’s gorgeous and men often are attracted to her. Whatever…)

Nor was I particularly worried who any of the supporting characters would be in a relationship with at the end of the book (shocking for me, as I have a terrible habit of yearning for not only the leads but the supporting characters to be nicely paired off at the end of books/tv shows/movies).

I have to give the book a point for the setting. Venice is just so beautiful, even in print. I have visited there once, way too briefly, when I was young, and I think I need to add a return trip to my bucket list.

The food porn is also there, and I did enjoy the food descriptions. Dolly’s passion for food, however, is questionable. She likes to eat more than she likes to cook, in my opinion.

She also develops a new found passion for dancing -- dancing to the Argentine Tango in particular. That idea, although it sounds romantic, doesn’t seem to fit into her plot, and I sometimes got the impression Dolly only wanted to dance as all her ‘friends’ danced. I would have preferred Dolly and Pellegrino had stuck with the food theme. It would have been more satisfied if her apparent love of food was shown by Dolly actively pursuing some sort of chef’s position in Venice; or even a diary/journal filled with recipes/food she was tasting. This would have made more sense than the dancing.

Instead of romance we mostly get Dolly navel gazing or describing clothes in the book (even though Dolly claims to have no interest in fashion). Painting and glass making is touched on, and I would have enjoyed more scenes involving them. There’s also descriptions of multiple parties Dolly attends. Oh, and copious drinking. And Dolly's subsequent hangovers. (I believe Dolly’s at an age where having such hangovers is just sad and pathetic.)

In the end, I disliked more in this book than I liked and I’d only recommend if you were interested in Venice, Italian food, or Argentine dancing. 3 out of 5.

Profile Image for Anne.
2,217 reviews1,133 followers
July 5, 2016
I have read four of Nicky Pellegrino's previous novels, they've become something of a holiday tradition for me. I read this one whilst sitting in the sun on Corfu - the perfect location, even if it's not Italy!

This author always seems to fill her stories with wonderful locations and fabulous food, and One Summer in Venice is full of both, the fabulous Venetian setting combined with flavourful and mouth-watering descriptions of exquisite Italian food makes this book a winner for me!

Addolorata (or Dolly, as she's known as), has a seemingly wonderful life, with her handsome husband Eden and her pretty daughter. She runs her family's restaurant Little Italy which was established by her father, and always successful. But the cracks are there, Dolly is tired. Her relationship with Eden has become strained since he was injured and unable to work, her daughter Katia shouts a lot and the day that esteemed and well-known food critic Guy Rochester visits Little Italy, and the resulting piece in his column really could finish her off. She's unhappy, she wants to be happy, but she's not sure what will make her happy.

Although she resists at first, Dolly accepts her sister's offer of a holiday in Venice. She decides that it's a real chance for her to look at her life, at what makes her happy, and to make changes. Dolly is entranced by Venice, by the food, the sights, the sounds and the people. It is one person in particular who really fascinates her. Her elderly neighbour Coco; flamboyant, dressed in many colours and expressing herself in dance. Coco and Dolly become closer, and Dolly falls into the world of dance, learning to Tango, and food .... the week passes, and Dolly doesn't return home. She decides to stay longer, she's finding out things about herself that surprise her and shock her, and she's also enjoying herself. She's Dolly, just Dolly whilst she's in Venice, with no responsibilities or worries.

Nicky Pellegrino writes with such authenticity, drawing on her own life to recreate the beauty of the Venetian streets, and the intricacies of Italian family life. I felt as though I were walking the streets alongside Dolly, as though I too were tasting the lovingly prepared food, and if though I were dancing the Tango under the stars of the Italian sky.

This is a story of friendship, of love, family and self discovery. Once more Nicky Pellegrino has delivered a delightful and absorbing read. Her fans will adore it

http://randomthingsthroughmyletterbox...
Profile Image for Carina Carvalho.
587 reviews10 followers
August 30, 2016
Quem não se perdeu na rotina? Quem não se perdeu nos papéis que tem de desempenhar no dia a dia?? Boa esposa, boa mãe, boa filha, boa funcionária .... Uma pressão constante para se ser bom e não falhar.
Para fazer uma reflexão sobre tudo um verão passado em Veneza.
Não há palavras que descrevam Veneza mas tive alturas em que revi Veneza como se tivesse lá estado ontem.
Se já tinha vontade de voltar agora passou a ser uma certeza! Voltarei um dia...
Profile Image for Jenni Ogden.
Author 6 books292 followers
November 8, 2015
‘One Summer In Venice’ is delicious in every sense: the food; the eccentric characters (especially those MUCH older than me) and their flamboyant clothes; the tango (yes, in Venice); the gorgeous Italian men; and the sights and sounds and smells and tastes of that romantic city. Nicky Pellegrino’s latest novel is an effortless read but it has a heartfelt message. The protagonist—stressed out, unhappy London chef Addolorata Martinelli (Dolly!)—escapes London after a bad review of her own restaurant, and in shock after her husband’s revelation that he is tired of her self-centred lifestyle and no longer wants to be with her. In Venice she decides to write a list of what makes her happy, no easy task. By the end of the book you will be making your own list and perhaps planning your own escape, preferably to Venice! We were last in Venice 5 years ago, and Nicky Pellegrino’s delectable descriptions brought it all flooding back. It also stimulated a search of the pantry to seek out ingredients for crostini toppings (anchovy, sardine, goats cheese, roasted red peppers?) to have with the long G & T in the evening sun. Had to make do with blue cheese and quince paste on crackers. Not Venice but lovely anyway.
Profile Image for Ana Rodrigues.
191 reviews4 followers
February 5, 2019
O que gostei mais foi das descrições de Veneza...
Parecia que estávamos lá com a Addolorata a passear pelos labirintos de canais, pontes e piazzas; a comer os pratos típicos de Veneza, a comer chicchetti num bacaro e uma ombra de vinho; a dançar tango
Profile Image for Sofia.
44 reviews
April 5, 2019
"Não posso mudar o passado e desfazer os meus erros. Só posso ir para a frente com a minha vida. Ir para a frente e continuar a tentar. É só o que qualquer um de nós pode fazer."

"O problema de perseguir a felicidade é que ela tende a afastar-se a dançar e a manter-se a brilhar fora do nosso alcance, algures à distância. O truque é aprender a fazer uma pausa, a reparar que está ali e a deixá-la entrar."


Não imaginei que fosse gostar tanto como gostei! :)
Profile Image for Sofia Marques.
260 reviews14 followers
December 31, 2021
Adoro a escrita da Nicky e a maneira como nos transporta para os locais através das descrições, dos cheiros e das pessoas.
Qual a tua lista de coisas que te faz feliz? Mesmo mesmo feliz?
Profile Image for Tripfiction.
1,695 reviews201 followers
Read
May 22, 2015
Novel set in Venice (Milonga, Ombra and Cicchetti)

A thoughtful book that utterly transported me to Venice.

Addolorata – Dolly to her friends – is married to Eden in London, and has a teenage daughter, Katia. She runs the family restaurant Little Italy. A crushing review from Food Critic for the Sunday Herald, Guy Rochester (think A A Gill and then some) blows a massive hole in her life and prompts her to rethink her priorities. As the customers in her restaurant dwindle, and her husband withdraws even more from the relationship, she determines to take time out, and heads for Venice. It is intended as a short break, orchestrated largely by her sister Pieta, who, by contrast, seems to have it all.

But as she finds her feet in the Lagoon City and starts to live the real life of a local – rather than being amongst the forresti (tourists by any other name) – she settles into a comfortable routine that isn’t governed by her hectic and regimented life in London. She takes a tour of the city with Valentina as her guide, who introduces her to the backwaters where the locals hang out. She discovers pretty soon that she has to ditch the Pinot Grigio in favour of the local wines, Verduzzo or Raboso. A pit stop at a bacaro (bar) to enjoy an ombra (a small glass of wine), with some cicchetti (nibbles) makes a perfect end to the day. Ambling through the calle, canale and campi she is soon befriended by Coco, a strikingly colourful and eccentric older woman, a woman it transpires, with secrets. As the spell of Venice works its magic, Dolly decides to extend her stay over the Summer period and embraces her new life – at the milonga (outside dancing) where she learns to tango, her daily walks with Boris (her canine companion borrowed from the Contessa), the fresh produce markets, the sampling of crostini con baccalà mantecato (the ‘signature dish of Venetian cuisine‘), or just watching the world go by on the canals over a good cup of coffee.

ut the eternal question is: “How much ‘me’ time can you lay claim to?”, and although Dolly compiles a simple list of things that will make her happy, which include enjoying the music and mood of the tango, neighbourhoods, afternoon naps and more, she comes to realise what family means to her.

This is very much a book that made me want to return to Venice and it would have been a good choice to take on a trip there – just imbibing the feel of the Lagoon city from the pages of the book and then being able to capture the sense of the city in situ (over an ombra and some cicchetti, obviously) would have made for a wonderful surround-around experience.
Profile Image for Kathryn.
1,578 reviews278 followers
May 23, 2015
One Summer in Venice by Nicky Pellegrino was an enjoyable read. It held my attention all the way through. It is written in the first person so we only really get the view of Addolorata (Dolly), so it left me a little in the dark about what her husband Eden was really like and the reasons for some of his actions.

Addolorata's sister Pieta sends her off on a week's holiday to Venice when things are tumbling down round her. She works really hard and is at the moment the actual bread winner for the family as her husband is still recovering from a back injury. He thinks Dolly is making him feel guilty and that he is not pulling his weight. I actually didn't sympathise with him very much, perhaps I wasn't meant to as it was all from Dolly's point of view. However I still wasn't totally sold on him.

In Venice Dolly meets a number of local people who draw her into their lives. Coco is a mysterious older woman who catches Dolly's attention for her flamboyance in dress and activities. Later Dolly is caught up in finding out who this woman is and how she fits in with the lives of the other people that Dolly meets.

I liked the setting of the book of course! It shows Venice from the eyes of tourists but also from the local people that live there. The way of life, the cooking and socialising permeated this book in a way that I wanted to read every line. The love of food was obvious.

Dolly sets out on Coco's advice to find out what really makes her happy and eventually she finds a rhythm and does just that, finally deciding by the end of the book what really makes her happy. I enjoyed her new learnings, her new wisdom, her final decisions.

This was the first book by this author I've read, I look forward to reading a few more of her previous books.
Profile Image for Deborah.
1,278 reviews102 followers
April 22, 2015
One Summer in Venice isn't my usual reading fare. I assumed it to be very Eat Pray Love-ish... and it is. A little. I'm sure the haters will view this quest for happiness as a selfish act, while others will understand the need (and envy the opportunity) to take time out and consider the life you're living.

Knowing Dolly is on the edge her sister Pieta gifts her a week-long trip to Venice. She's mostly miserable until she meets some locals who slowly but surely draw her into their lifestyle.

When her life at home further falls apart Dolly decides to remain in Venice for the summer. Dolly is egged on by the mysterious and glamorous Coco, who suggests she take the opportunity to identify what really makes her happy.

Dolly could easily come off as navel-gazing and self-indulgent, but she doesn't.

Soaking up Venice's culture, cuisine and customs Dolly starts to identify—mostly through experience—what does make her happy.

I enjoyed the cast of characters offered up by Pellegrino. Dolly was eminently likeable and Coco very charismatic. There were a couple of negatives—as so often is the case with me I wanted a little more from the ending—but despite that I enjoyed this book and didn't want to put it down.

Read the full review in my blog: http://www.debbish.com/books-literatu...
2 reviews
August 12, 2021
Escape to Venice!

Loved this little escaoe! Doesn't everyone want to run away to Venice for the summer, rent an apartment, drink prosecco, become more than a tourist & learn the tango??? Plus it's filled with Italian culinary delights, beautiful scenery, a little romance & a touch of mystery/tragedy, while the main character curates a list of the 10 things that make her the happiest.
August 25, 2016
Este não é um livro para todos. Ou bem que gostamos e nos identificamos ou bem que achamos só um livro superfluo e igual a tantos outros.

A mim falou-me de perto, identifiquei-me um pouco com Addolorata cansada da sua rotina e um pouco perdida na vida. Identifiquei-me no sentido de ela estar tão cansada que não consegue apreciar o que é verdadeiramente importante. É um livro que fala de descoberta, da vida, de si própria, de novos ritmos, comidas e pessoas e acima de tudo de descoberta do nosso lugar no mundo.

Addolorata decide partir para Veneza, e nesse pequeno paraíso vai redescobrir-se e vai criar uma coisa inédita, uma lista de felicidade.

“(...) Ainda havia uma página em branco onde a minha lista de felecidade deveria estar, mas agora tinha todo um verão à minha frente para a preencher.
Sentia-me entusiamada de certa forma, mas também up pouco ansiosa. E se o tempo passase e nada mudasse? E se a felicidade fosse algo em que eu não era boa, como o tango?
- Leve o seu tempo. Não se esforce demasiado – foi o conselho de Coco. – A felicidade vai aparecer-lhe sorrateira. Só tem de esperar que ali está.”

Adorei esta ideia da lista. Achei muito original e concordo com Coco, a felicidade aparece nos pequenos momentos, em acções de todos os dias, em pequenos prazeres como uma boa chávena de café, uma refeição simples ou um bom livro. Addolorata começa por resumir e acrescentar itens à sua lista:

“- Então, festas, sestas, cães, Prosecco, café, tango, vizinhanças... isso é grande coisa? Com certeza, a felicidade resume-se simplesmente a saber como desfrutar da vida. – Ela olhou para mim por um momento; um daqueles olhares desassombrados que fazem com que uma pesssoa se sinta avaliada dos pés à cabeça. – Pensa que esta lista vai realmente mudar a sua vida de alguma maneira?”

Naquele momento Addolorata pensa que a lista lhe traz algum conforto no entanto não lhe traz as respostas que ela tanto procura. Ela sente-se feliz por aquilo que Veneza lhe dá no entanto está somente a adiar tudo aquilo que deixou em Inglaterra, a sua vida pessoal e profissional.

“Foi algo que Coco tinha dito uma vez que me ajudou a passar aquele longo dia de vigília e de esperança. Nao posso mudar o passado e desfazer os meus erros. Só posso ir para a frente com a minha vida. Ir para a frente e continuar a tentar. É só o que qualquer um de nós pode fazer. “

E naquele momento Dolly só quer conhecer Veneza, os seus habitantes e levar-nos num verdadeiro roteiro turístico e não turístico e fazer-nos ver e conhecer a verdadeira Veneza, com as suas ruelas, cheriso e sabores. Adorei a descrição da livraria Acqua Alta e confesso que gostei da perspectiva da autora de abordar a cidade do ponto de vista dos habitantes locais e não turístico.

E termino a resenha com uma das minhas citações favoritas:

“Havia uma razão para eu não apreciar o que tinha – queria algo diferente. Não um novo marido nem mesmo um novo trabalho, mas uma vida que mudasse, uma vida em que cada minuto de cada dia não estivesse já destinado, planeado. E sempre fora possível; só que eu estava demasiado atolada na rotina para o ver.
O problema de perseguir a felicidade é que ela tende a afastar-se a dançar e a manter-se a brilhar fora do nosso alcance, algures à distância. O truque é aprender a fazer uma pausa, a reparar que está ali e a deixá-la entrar. É claro qye está longe de ser fácil e en não sou ainda propriamente uma especialista, mas sei agora desfrutar melhor dos pequenos prazeres de todos os dias (...)”

Não vou contar mais nada sobre o livro, este é um daqueles que digo só lido e o importante é mesmo apreciar os pequenos prazeres de todos os dias...
Profile Image for Selina.
94 reviews22 followers
May 2, 2015
I love Pellegrino’s books as they always manage to make me feel like I’ve taken a European vacation, and her latest book doesn’t disappoint. One Summer in Venice tells the story of Addolorata (Dolly) as she escapes her routine life laden with responsibility, family and work drama to take one summer for herself, to go back to basics and reconnect with what makes her happy. She discovers the beat of the city, from the tango filled streets to the colourful characters that fill the canals, and ultimately, what’s really important in life.

Dolly has taken over the family business, but still lives in the shadow of the bossy family patriarch Beppi – readers familiar with Pellegrino’s novels The Italian Wedding and The Villa Girls will be delighted with this cameo! Check out the rest of the review at http://www.atnumber11.com/2015/05/boo...
Profile Image for Rachel Gilbey.
2,939 reviews543 followers
July 7, 2016
Well I love Nicky Pellegrino's books and I happened to be in Venice when I started reading this. My only regret was not reading it slightly earlier in the holiday, as this gave me such a different view to the city, than the small touristy bit that I wandered around for a few hours. This gives a fabulous insight into the real Venice, and the way the Venetians live. I loved the Milongas (tango parties) and Dolly's friendship with Coco. This is a brilliant cast of characters and Dolly's search for true happiness is a pleasure to read about. I just wish this book didn't have to end, as I was enjoying it so much.
Profile Image for José Gomes.
Author 6 books6 followers
August 26, 2016
Sob a capa da ficção, é um livro de auto-ajuda para donas-de-casa desesperadas. Nas trezentas e tal páginas cabem todos os lugares-comuns: as compras de roupa, um copo de vinho, um petisco e uma dança como antidepressivos. As "escapadelas" justificadas pela frustração provocada pela vidinha quotidiana, pelo desinteresse do marido e pela crescente emancipação dos filhos.

No final, nos agradecimentos, o reconhecimento prestado a uma escola de tango na Austrália e a confissão de que a autora foi buscar alguma inspiração ao filme "A Lição de Tango". Pena que não tenha recolhido ideias no "Último Tango em Paris". Com ou sem manteiga, talvez se tragasse melhor.
May 12, 2015
“Am I missing out? Is there another life I ought to be leading?....I wasn’t sure I like who I’d become. Still, I was getting through the days and weeks all right; I was managing”.

I was looking forward to reading about this purported middle-aged heroine taking what could be described as a sabbatical to Venice. Maybe another type of, ‘Eat, Pray, Love’ would be forthcoming.

Check out the blog to find out!

http://greatreadsandtealeaves.blogspo...
Profile Image for S.L. Beaumont.
Author 16 books162 followers
June 26, 2015
Venice in the summer, tango, food - English chef Dolly does what many of us only dream of and escapes her life for a summer. One Summer in Venice has a cast of interesting characters, although I had trouble relating to Dolly and her search for happiness ( what about her daughter back home?). I did like Coco's version of aging stylishly and the many descriptions of the wonderful local cuisine had my mouth watering at times.
Profile Image for Dion Ribeiro.
281 reviews10 followers
September 12, 2019
Para que a vida valha a pena, devemos estar atentos aos nossos "ingredientes" da felicidade, pois muitas vezes na correria do dia-a-dia deixamos de ter tempo para as pessoas que amamos e para nós próprios. Fazemos o que é suposto ser feito deixando para trás as pequenas coisas que nos fazem felizes...

P.S. Por esse motivo, deixei o trabalho de lado e as próximas duas horas serão dedicadas à leitura, pois ler é um dos ingredientes da minha felicidade. 😊
Profile Image for Sue Shep.
503 reviews4 followers
January 14, 2017
What a delightful book. Full of life and colour and food. Life can bog us down without us knowing. Maybe we should all be making a list that brings back the joy to life. We only have one life. Let's enjoy it.
429 reviews
September 3, 2015
Very easy read but enjoyable because the descriptions of Venice and Italian cuisine. Has made me want to go back to Venice for exploring.
Profile Image for Sarah Lantry.
7 reviews4 followers
October 21, 2015
The main character, Dolly, is the weakest character in the book. The story is predictable and lots of details don't add up or are contradicted later in the book.
Profile Image for Mª João Monteiro.
792 reviews56 followers
February 15, 2022
Já li outros livros desta autora, mas este é o único em que as personagens não são jovens. Adolorata tem marido e filho adolescente; apesar de não sabermos a sua idade, estará mais próxima da minha. A sua vida de trabalho/casa/relaxar com vinho aproxima-se da zona de crise, precipitada por uma crítica negativa ao seu restaurante familiar italiano. O marido tem uma lesão nas costas que o impede de trabalhar e tudo parece correr mal. É aqui que a irmã lhe oferece uma semana de férias em Veneza para ela se afastar de tudo e pensar na vida. Apesar de contrariada, vai e começa a tentar descobrir o que a faz realmente feliz. Acaba por estender a semana para o verão e aqui a minha descrença e inveja aumentaram... Gostei dos pormenores de Veneza, das personagens. Queria estar lá. Achei pouco credível que alguém com problemas de liquidez resolvesse passar o verão fora, porque os problemas não se resolvem à distância, o que tornou a história inverosímil. Por isso, hesitei entre as 3 estrelas e outra classificação, até porque gostei das descrições de comida e roupa, coisas que adoro. No entanto, a parte de resolução de questões não me convenceu nada nem o emborcar de bebidas a toda a hora... Devo ser mais pragmática do que pensava...
Profile Image for Angela Petch.
Author 13 books181 followers
July 23, 2017
I needed an easy read - my head's been too busy recently and this was perfect. I sat down by the river in Tuscany and was transported to Venice. The idea of a mother upping and leaving her young daughter and husband for a mini-escape is probably one we mothers have often entertained. But, probably just up the road for a day, not to Venice to tango. Still, we can dream. Addolorata Martinetti (what a fab name) isn't happy, despite seemingly having it all. But something is missing. So, off she goes for a weekend that turns into a much longer period. In this story there is delicious food, interesting characters - especially eccentric Coco, an elderly lady with a zest for life and elaborate outfits. I found the ending of the story a little obvious and the heroine self-indulgent - but, heck, it all made for a story to escape into. The problem with the premise of listing ten things to make you happy, as Addolorata does, is as explained on the last pages: "The trouble with chasing happiness is that it tends to dance away and stay shimmering out of reach somewhere in the distance." Now, back to reality.
Profile Image for Zully Mustafa.
Author 9 books17 followers
January 15, 2020
All you need to read from this book is some points written on Addolorata`s Happiness List, for example:

- Afternoon naps, even if it is only for 20 stolen minutes, then waking to a quiet house and a cup of tea.

- A glass of chilled Prosecco, preferabbly drunk outdoors, at a table with a view. a civilised, quiet drink at the end of a day, maybe with a friend, but even on my own

- Good coffee served properly, strong and fragrant

- Music. Not jingly-jangly pop tunes coming out of radios. Real shit. Sound that sour and fill you with joy, echoing in your head and heart

- beeing surrounded by water. Canals, the sea, lakes, fountains. The sound of it moving, the way it reflects the light.
Profile Image for Charlotte Edson.
148 reviews3 followers
March 24, 2024
Dolly's restaurant in London, Little Italy gets a terrible review. She's devastated.
Her marriage is falling apart. Her relationship with her teenage daughter is tumultuous. Dolly's world is crumbling.
She decides to take herself to Venice for a week-long trip to sort herself out. A week turns into the entire summer.

What I liked:
- descriptions of food.
- descriptions of Venice.
- the fact Dolly didn't cheat on her husband.

What I didn't like:
- Dolly. She was an alcoholic and very boring. She's in one of the most interesting and cultural cities in the world, and decided to go and both the locals! Plus she only calls her teenaged daughter a handful of times.
- the ambiguity of whether Dolly and her husband were going to be okay at the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Rita Halpin .
70 reviews2 followers
January 11, 2023
I must admit I did feel the book started quite slow for me. I wasn’t rushing back to it like I do with some other books. However it was a pleasant read and as I don’t like not finishing books I continue to read it. The story did develop together with the adventures and the mood of the main character so it leaves me thinking maybe this is exactly how it was meant to be written. In that case a job well done. All and all I did enjoy it and as I have been recently to Venice it wasn’t hard to imagine little steers and squares and restaurants the main character was describing. I would say this is a lovely holiday read for sure
99 reviews1 follower
November 1, 2023
I enjoyed this book. Being in Venice with an intriguing plot line and interesting characters was fun and refreshing and a very good winter read. It is well written - I hadn't read this author before perhaps unfairly favouring more 'literary reads.' Hey there's a time and a place for every - well most - things. I will certainly read more of Nicky Pellegrino's fiction. Also, as a foodie, I am a sucker for a book which features the cuisine of that particular place or community, the more detail, the better. Being able to salivate over the food while the story kept developing was delicious.
Profile Image for Avalon.
475 reviews1 follower
November 15, 2020
Addie is a chef and has a husband and daughter but her marriage is crumbling so she works all the time. Her sister is worried about her so gives her tickets for Venice to have a breather so going alone she meets up with an Coco an eccentric but fun older lady and soon befriends people even learning to tango. Enjoyable fun read about finding yourself and being happy. Another great novel from one of my favourite authors.
Profile Image for Carrie.
57 reviews1 follower
June 28, 2017
I would place this book in a 'travel fiction' genre, and with that in mind I would say that it didn't disappoint. I stayed in Venice for a few nights recently and - from a tourist's perspective - I feel the author described Venice beautifully. For me the dysfunctional characters were believable and interesting. I found myself a little emotional at the end which was nice.
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