My Italian Bulldozer

By (author) Alexander McCall Smith

Food writer Paul Stuart is heading to the idyllic town of Montalcino in the Tuscan hills to escape a failed relationship and to finish an already late book. But on arrival in Italy things quickly take a turn for the worse when he discovers that his hire car is nowhere to be found and it looks like he will be stuck at the airport.

What happens thereafter is a mixture of adventure, romance and some very Italian goings-on. As the story unfolds we are immersed in the flavours of Italy: its food and wine, its rich history and glorious landscape, and in la bella figura. And then onto this beautiful canvas is introduced una macchina enorme.

Funny, elegant and moving – occasionally earth-moving – this books is a joy, a long love-letter to Italy. Best taken with a glass of Brunello di Montalcino (one of the country’s finest wines) and, perhaps, cum grano salis (a pinch of salt).