Margherita's Notebook

July 1, 2016

Flumeri and Giacometti's upbeat story has an adorable protagonist and is full of sensory detail. Finding out her husband has been cheating with his English teacher is the last straw for free-spirited Margherita. She departs Rome for her family home in Roccafitta, the beautiful Tuscan village where her father, Armando, still lives. She plans to reopen her late mother's restaurant, but while requesting a bank loan discovers that Armando has gambled away most of the family's money. To make ends meet, she cooks for wine magnate Nicola, preparing the succulent meals he uses to woo local viticulturists into selling their land. Despite ample friction between boss and employee, sparks fly and the unlikely attraction is amplified by Margherita's sensual cooking. Side plots involving Armando's romance with an Argentinian beekeeper and the thwarted attempts at love by Margherita's best friend Matteo add interest, as do astute comments from Margherita's sibyl-like mynah bird. Recipes for 21 mouthwatering dishes are included at the back of the book. VERDICT Those who enjoyed Tita's culinary tricks in Laura Esquivel's Like Water for Chocolate will have their literary appetite whetted by this debut novel.--Erin O. Romanyshyn, Frances Morrison Central Lib., Saskatoon, Sask.

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