About The Book: Endless fields of flame-like poppies. Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. The sweet, rhythmic chime of church bells. Months upon months of unemployment? Struggling to communicate with locals? Duvets frozen on the clothesline? Jennifer Criswell's move from New York City to Tuscany was not supposed to go like this. She had envisioned lazy mornings sipping espresso while penning a best-selling novel and jovial group dinners, just like in the movies and books about expatriate life in Italy. Then she met reality: no work, constant struggles with Italian bureaucracy to claim citizenship through her ancestors, and perhaps worst of all, becoming the talk of the town after her torrid affair with a local fruit vendor. At Least You're in Tuscany is the intimate, honest, and often hilarious tale of Jennifer's first year in Montepulciano. During that time, Jennifer's internal optimist was forced to work overtime, reminding her that if she were going to be homeless, lonely, and broke, at least she would be all those things - in Tuscany. Through all her small-town bumblings, though, Jennifer's mantra, along with a healthy dose of enthusiasm and willingness to learn about Italian culture, helped her not only build a new, rewarding life in Italy but also find herself along the way.
About The Author: Jennifer Criswell is a lawyer turned writer. After a trip to Italy in 2001 changed her life and her direction, she chucked her legal briefs to pursue her love of writing. Jennifer followed this dream to New York City where she supported herself (just) for over six years by walking dogs on the Upper West Side. Jennifer has authored three novels, and her current project, AT LEAST YOU’RE IN TUSCANY: A Somewhat Disastrous Quest for the Sweet Life, is an honest and funny memoir about the reality of following your dream. Jennifer lives and writes in a small hill town in Italy with her sidekick of a Weimaraner, Cinder. They are always on the look out for new adventures… and new gelato flavors!
My Thoughts On The Book: I thoroughly enjoyed the true story of someone who really wants to fit in and seem like a local in another country. Having traveled a good bit I have often wondered what it would be like to just pick up and move to another country. I think this book is the answer to my ever present question. In order to live in another country you have to learn the language, adapt to the culture and keep on keeping on. The book also shows that it does not take a ton of money to do this. Who knows maybe someday I will venture out into the world and live somewhere I have never lived before.
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