Book Review : Never Trust a Thin Cook
By now, you know that I love reading books and memoirs that involve my twin passions, France and Italy. I have mentioned several other Italian books that I have read and loved, and even have a few recommendations in my Amazon store.
The latest, that I will add to both of those lists, is the very enjoyable Never Trust a Thin Cook, by Eric Dregni.
With wit and humor, Eric tells how he and his girlfriend Katy, both from the U.S., spend three years in Modena, Italy.
Modena, famous for its balsamic vinegar, its cars (like Ferrari, Maserati and De Tomaso) and the opera great Pavarotti, is located in the Central Northern part of the country, near Bologna.
This book had me busting out in laughter, in bed, at all hours of the night!
Which tends not to fare very well for the pseudo-hubs, who is both a light-sleeper and an early-riser.But I digress.
Dregni describes situations that many an Italian ex-pat has spoken of- including rivalries with the nearest city of Bologna, the locals’ obsession with calcio -Italian soccer, the red tape and bureaucracy of the Italian Government and how Italians themselves skirt paying tevú (television) taxes and of course, La Posta, the Italian post office. Mamma mia!
But Dregnis tales of teaching English to Italians are perhaps the funniest experiences he writes about in the book- from the unruly high-school students, adults that want to learn and talk about sex and even the business person who wants to learn English for career growth, but speaks in side-splitting slang in order to impress. And the school owner’s improprieties ranging from cheating with the secretary to not paying his teachers- and eventually leads to an audit from the Italian government.
His infiltration as a Lambretta owner at the important meeting of the Vespa Club d’Italia (Lambretta and Vespa are rival scooter manufacturers) held at the local insurance agent’s office, results in such overblown Italian drama- complete with fist-pounding and insult-shouting, as they talk about everything from women to authentic Vespa paint colors, to soccer!
The author also tells wonderful food stories (which of course I appreciate!) including the local trattoria, and visits to anacetaio (where they make the time-honored authentic Balsamic Vinegar) and to a Parmigiano cheese factory- that will leave you craving Italian food.
I highly recommend you get your hands on a copy of this book – but be forewarned- you’ll find yourself laughing out loud.
Perhaps in bed.
And my thanks to Heather Skinner at the University Of Minnesota Press for the review copy of the book!
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November 19th, 2009
Robin, your new site is drop-dead stunning — congratulations!
I so love the idea of busting out laughing in bed in the wee hours that I’m torn between buying this book for myself (and my Parmesan-obsessed husband) and getting it for my oldest friend, who herself had a sexy, balsamic-filled Modena vacation not so long ago. Hmm…why choose?
In the meantime, the book’s title presents a curious conflict for me — recently met Kerrin Rousset of My Kugelhopf, a woman who is simultaneously very thin and obsessed with cooking. She pretty much breaks all the rules…but at least she’s not Italian.
November 19th, 2009
I hadn’t heard of this book before, but it does sound like a fun one. Will have to add it to my wish list.
November 19th, 2009
I am so delighted that you alerted me to this book. I share your enthusiasm and believe it will be the perfect stocking stuffer for 3 of my siblings.
November 19th, 2009
Oh thanks so much for your kind words! So glad you like it. And I totally agree with you about *thin* cooks
It is disheartening!
November 19th, 2009
Excellent idea Jess! Christmas is coming and I really think you’ll get a kick out of it
November 19th, 2009
Well, aren’t you thoughtful! You have three very lucky siblings, Barbara.
November 20th, 2009
Great write-up, I can’t imagine anyone not wanting to run out and get a copy. There are only so many books that can really make you laugh out loud. I would love to read this – and perhaps keep my husband up at night too !
Now… as for the thin cooks thing… ! A big thanks to Melanie for the shout out above. I have to confess – I took a cooking class in Italy years back and when I volunteered to help with the desserts, the rather large Italian lady who was running the class, took the whisk away from me. She said she didn’t trust me – I was too thin!
November 20th, 2009
Thanks Kerrin. It’s an enjoyable read for sure! And your story is hilarious- something that would certainly happen in Italy
November 20th, 2009
I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I dont know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
November 22nd, 2009
This book sounds amazing. I just added it to my ‘want to read’ list on Facebook.
And, I must say, your new site design looks absolutely stunning.
By the way, I included your link under ‘blogs to love’ on my links page at http://www.travelblissful.com/links
Great idea Erica! I hope you get the chance to read it- if you like Italy, you will love it
I’ll return the link love, as soon as my link page goes up.