The Olive Branch

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I have a soft spot for the stories set in Europe and this one is in Italy. It’s an incredibly easy read, just the way I like it these days.  I read books during my commute to office and back and I really prefer the easy reads over the dark ones as I just don’t have the energy for the latter since the characters of whichever book I am reading, live with me as I can’t get them out of my head until I finish the book.

Ruthie Collins has bought a house in Puglia, Italy. She bought it on e-bay on a drunk night without actually seeing the site. She bought it to escape the misery of a break up with her partner Ed.

When she did get a glimpse of her new house, it was during a rainstorm. The fact that the house was bigger than what she expected and needed a lot of work before it can be called a home, added to her woes. The new neighbors, the Bellanuovo clan which included Marco, aunts, uncles, grandmothers and whole lot of other relatives, who previously owned the Bellanuovo Masseria (Ruthie’s house now) had no idea that their family property has been sold until she shows up. Not a greatest of starts, but how she makes her life there and how she learns olive farming and the art of olive tasting is what the story is about.

 The author’s descriptions of the Italy country side are divine and made me want to go there and join Ruthie. As an outsider, I can see that the challenges thrown at her by Marco were actually to make her stay rather than get rid of her. The Italian love for food and family is well depicted. I loved reading the parts which had Daphne, the goat. She was the star!

A perfect read if you’re in the need for a little bit of sunshine or Dolce Vita ;)