THE ITALIAN SUMMER
Touchstone/Simon and Schuster, April 2009
Fore, bella! From the author of the critically acclaimed Golfing with God comes a charming narrative of hole-in-one trip through Italy—a glorious summer of golfing, eating, and learning how to slow down and enjoy life.
The best-selling author of Golfing with God and the Revere Beach trilogy combines two of his greatest passions—travel and golf—in this humorous and poignant look at Mediterranean life. In the summer of 2007, Roland Merullo was feeling a little burnt out by the frantic pace of life in the United States and decided to rent an Italian villa near the shore of Lake Como in a small town called Mezzegra. He arrived in Italy with his wife and two young daughters determined to relax, slow down, and enjoy life in the manner of their Italian hosts. Merullo also resolved to play a little golf and frequented the many gorgeous golf courses that populate the countryside.
With his customary wit, he shares the entertaining account of his trip through Italy in the wonderful The Italian Summer. Composed of tales from some of Italy's finest golf courses, descriptions of the meals Merullo and his family enjoyed, and portraits of the various eccentrics they met along the way, The Italian Summer brings to life the myriad joys of Italian life in a way that all lovers of food, wine, and the proverbial "good walk spoiled" will savor. The perfect Father's Day gift for golf enthusiasts and armchair travelers, The Italian Summer pays homage to a slower, richer way of life—one filled with good food, pleasant company, and beautiful surroundings.
Praise
"This travel memoir delivers unadulterated joy... [Merullo's] account of those idyllic weeks recalls Calvin Trillin in its casual tone, good humor, affable interactions with family, and everyman's love of regional food and wine... A special travel book for a special audience."
– Booklist
"What an enjoyable read – you will want to immediately leave for a golfing vacation in Italy."
– Dr. Bob Rotella
"A ‘happy book’... especially for a writer whose idea of work includes putting and discovering great unpretentious restaurants and colorful characters along the way."
– USA Today