The Dolce Vita Diaries:
Stories From an Olive Grove
by Cathy Rogers
and Jason Gibb
Overview
From the Publisher
Set in the middle of a European nowhere untouched by modernity, this account follows two former television producers as they set out to become olive farmers with only their one-year-old daughter and an Italian dictionary in tow. From pruning an olive tree so that a sparrow can pass through its branches to singing with an Italian accent and learning when one is allowed to consume a cappuccino, this biography illustrates how this family negotiated a steep cultural learning curve. Their culinary adventures are related as they head off many a potentially tricky situation by cooking their way out of it—a sure route to the heart of any Italian. As they discover the competitive world of olive farming, this narrative witnesses the birth of their “Adopt-an-Olive-Tree” scheme, which proved successful beyond any and all expectations. Meeting every challenge with fortitude and humor, this book’s subjects also face the quiet of the countryside, finding themselves hankering for the sounds of the city and wondering what they should do next.
My thoughts
I discovered this book when I was reading a magazine and found a unique gift: olive oil from an adopted tree in Italy. It's a concept that's romantic, exciting and fun to me, and I wanted to know more! My research led me to this book, which was delightful!
This is yet another story of foreigners who decide to move to another country to live out their dreams, even when they have no idea what those dreams entail. Most of the stories are fascinating, which is why I keep reading this genre, and this book is no exception. The authors are lively and fun and know how to tell a story! I enjoyed this book from start to finish!
Favorite Passage
Personally, I thought you had to go into something like this with your eyes closed. If you thought about it too much you’d almost certainly not do it, because there were just too many reasons not to. Rather, the only thing to do was jump in and then take a... peek at where you’d landed. I wondered if many people did that and landed with an immediate smile? Weren’t there just too many new bewildering things to make simple happiness a realistic possibility?
