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Pulitzer Winner's Italian Charm Novel: Wit, Hope, and Villa Chaos
8 Jun
Summary
- An American author directs a writers' residency near Florence.
- A young man becomes an adjutant at a dilapidated Italian villa.
- The narrative blends humor, self-discovery, and a touch of hope.
Andrew Sean Greer, the Pulitzer-winning author of "Less," presents a new "charm novel" set in an Italian villa. The narrative centers on an American narrator who takes on the role of an adjutant at the Santa Maddalena Foundation, a writers' residency near Florence.
His duties at Villa Coco are varied, ranging from gardening to cataloging potential art treasures, all while serving the eccentric 92-year-old Baronessa Lisabetta. He becomes part of a household staff that includes a Sri Lankan cook and a Lebanese factotum.
The villa's inhabitants also include the Baronessa's bohemian neighbor, a Venetian princess friend, various relatives, and an assortment of animals. The narrator finds himself navigating complex social dynamics, including encounters with a predatory gentleman and a romantic aesthete.
However, the Baronessa's cousin, Giacomo, presents a particular challenge, seemingly tasked with both accompanying the narrator on errands and seducing him from his vow of celibacy. It gradually becomes clear that the Baronessa has a deliberate plan for the narrator.
Greer aims for a novel as soothing as a warm bath, filled with humor and a sliver of hope. While distinct from the works of Nancy Mitford or Graham Greene, Greer's novel is commended for its portrayal of Italy's beauty and its ultimately hopeful enchantment.
