Today’s Bookbag title brings us to a romantic comedy, a genre I don’t generally seek out in literature (and only occasionally in movies). But Poggibonsi by Dan Alatorre was such an entertaining read it was one of the first titles I listed when brainstorming Bookbag posts.
Poggibonsi is the story of Mike, a venture capitalist sent to Italy to launch a new tourism project. He brings his family along at first, which only seems to highlight the rockiness of his marriage. By the time his wife and daughter head back to the States, leaving him to finish the project, he’s frustrated and just wants to get to work. Then, his Italian boss has a heart attack, and Mike is left to work with an associate, Julietta.
And Julietta is a fantasy come to life. Mike had been fascinated with her since he saw her on a train days earlier (though he didn’t know she worked for his boss). He doesn’t learn that until chapter 21, when she walks into his hotel lobby, distracts every man in the room, and introduces herself to Mike.
Venus was addressing me.
I think she said hello.
I’m pretty sure I said something back. I don’t really know. To say I was tongue-tied is the understatement of the century. I forgot how to speak. I couldn’t believe the beautiful goddess from the train was now standing in front of me. Blonde hair, green eyes, porcelain complexion . . .
I tried to remember how to breathe.
But she was definitely saying something. Those beautiful lips were moving and the green eyes were looking at me. I shook my head, trying to refocus.
She was asking my name.
I didn’t know it.
Let’s get one thing out of the way here–yes, Mike has an affair. But the whole book isn’t about that. He doesn’t even meet Julietta until chapter 21, about halfway through the book.
The story is about Mike’s journey. It’s about learning what’s most important in life, even if you have to fall flat on your face and lose everything to get there.
Before that, though, there are sex scenes, and they are hot. There are laugh-out-loud comedic moments that range from sarcastic to slapstick. There are charming interactions between all of the characters. There are moments of heartbreak, the most poignant one involving his daughter (I dare you not to cry when reading that scene).
And I don’t think it’s too much of a spoiler to say it’s a story of redemption–because how could anyone come back from that?
Also in my Bookbag: Pandemic, Piercing the Darkness
What P titles are in your Bookbag?
Allison Maruska 
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Will have to get my hands on it now. Only yesterday, my wife and I were looking at our Italy pics from last year, and trying to remember the name of the cute town from which you change the bus when going from Florence to San Gimignano. We both remembered the name at the same time : Poggibonsi!
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How funny!
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Excellent.
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This book sounds very entertaining, Allison. I shall look and see if it is available as an audiobook.
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I think it is!
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It is. The narrator, a young woman, did an amazing job with it. I would have her do all my audio books, I loved her style so much. You will, too.
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Fantastic, I will look for it on Audible.
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I loved this book! Dan has a delightful comedic touch!
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Thank you. This is absolutely my favorite book because, despite the seriousness of any situation, I was constantly making the reader laugh. (It still makes me laugh when I read stuff in it!)
Fans have said I created a truly memorable character or two in it as well – always an amazing compliment to hear.
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I thoroughly enjoyed reading Poggibonsi, and wanted a sequel as the characters wouldn’t vacate my head!
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What would you envision a sequelās story to be like?
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In a family setting, there is always something going on. It would be nice to read about them again…
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Iāll have to send the outline to you. You wonāt believe what Iāve cooked up!
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I will look forward to that!
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Reblogged this on anita dawes and jaye marie.
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Thanks for sharing!
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Thanks for sharing this with your amazing readers. I appreciate it!
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Reblogged this on Viv Drewa – The Owl Lady.
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Thanks for sharing!
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Thank you for sharing this with your readers. You are too kind.
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Reblogged this on Dan Alatorre – AUTHOR and commented:
Hey, check me out!
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Oh my,we were holidaying in Tuscany last summer and ended up stopping in small town called Poggibonsi.I. Just say we were not impressed by either the place or our lunch,probably we picked the worst restaurant I;tuscanyšsince then everytime that name pops up itās a big giggle in the house,š±šI wonder if I could get over it and try the bookš
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How funny! I hadn’t heard of it before this book.
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My wife said we were going there. I was like, Poggibonsi? Rome was booked? Where the hell is Poggibonsi?
But it yielded an amazing story readers love.
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You will. Poggibonsi is where the main character, an American, is stationed to do his work – and he’s not happy about that at first. Then, it’s the springboard for a story that enjoys all of Tuscany and the surrounding area while embarking on a passionate romance and a lot of funny stuff.
I got an amazing compliment from a reader who said I’d made Italy a terrific character in the story. Italian readers have enjoyed it as well, loving the way they were represented, which was important to me becaise I loved meeting them, and they especially liked the new traditions I created on top of the leaning tower of Pisa – but you’ll have to read the book to see what that is!
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And now I sure cannot not tošš
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