When in Rome

When in Rome
Penelope Green
Hodder Australia 306 pages. $32.95

Wild Vespa rides through the streets of Rome, guzzling Tuscan wines, perfecting the cappuccino and struggling with the language – When in Rome is the delightful tale of Penelope Green’s transition from Sydney to Italy.

Green, who left her career and family behind to chase “la dolce vita”, lands in Italy with nowhere to live, no friends, no job and no language skills.

She soon learns that life can be lonely in a foreign country as she makes barely enough to survive on as a waitress and becomes the butt of many a joke with her lack of Italian.

This is not your average “let’s move to Tuscany and live the life” book, but rather a frank tale of life as an average Australian struggling to make a living while chasing a dream. It tells of Green’s lonely and down times and her frustrations at not being able to express herself, as well as her adventures and new friends, and makes for good balanced reading. That said, I am still ready to pack up and go at the drop of a hat.

– Rachel Irving

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