Tartufo

Such a cute story about the power of love, forgiveness, and the roots that tie us to home. Not what I was expecting, but I was unable to put it down and found myself deeply invested in the characters. A good summer read!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher to early access to this ARC.

What a serious delight of a book! Stop me if I sound like SNL's Stefon, but THIS BOOK HAS EVERYTHING. It contains the most charming cast of characters, decadent food, lots of great humor, and the most gorgeous prose. Oh, and there's even a donkey who is very nearly nominated as mayor. Wait, there's also a female cat named Al Pacino. I told you- everything.

The book takes place in the struggling little Italian village of Lazzarini Boscarino. The town is not a tourist attraction and has no money.... a donkey almost became mayor, for goodness sake! But it's truly the residents that make the town. They may not always get along and they certainly don't agree on everything, but they so endearing.

The story starts off a little slowly for me, BUT I was pulled in by Buxton's writing from the first page. I figured even if the story was a little boring, at least I'd get to experience something really beautiful in the meantime. However, the story quickly picks up when Giovanni Scarpazza and his dogs find a really, really big truffle. Like the kind that could change the course of your life. Or the future of your town.

I don't want to give anything away because part of the beauty of the book is the unfolding of the story. Honestly, I feel like I'm not a good enough writer to truly describe the beauty of this novel. But even if you don't care about prose, you'll want to read it for the cast of characters.

I'm so excited for this book to publish and for everyone to read it. And I feel so lucky that I already had the chance to. It's the kind of book that, once it's released, I'll definitely want to read again. The people of Lazzarini Boscarino feel like friends now and I miss them so much now that the book is over.

I adored this book! Each character is so well written, both animal and human. It made me want to visit and meet each and every one of them. The setting is vibrant and Buxton’s writing is charming and witty.

Thanks to Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC of Kira Jane Buxton's 'Tartufo.'

Populated by a wonderful cast of characters who live in the bypassed, dying Tuscan village of Lazzarina Boscarino 'Tartufo' follows their adventures in the wake of the discovery by the local truffle hunter, Giovanni. There's a voluptuously barmaid and her celebrity chef ex-husband, a newly elected mayor (who's also the local vet) and her husband who runs the last bar/restaurant in the village, the aforementioned truffle hunter, a nonna (and her young protégé) whose house and garden were stricken by a landslide, a disgraced postman, a psychic, and many others including some domestic animals with real character and personality - dogs, a vindictive cat, and a much-loved donkey.

The discovery of the truffle, worth a lot of money, unleashes a cavalcade of events and outcomes that none of them could've foreseen.

It's lovingly and beautifully written - there's a very big focus on food and smells which, themselves, almost become characters, all of them wonderfully described. Although it's a constantly funny novel there's a lot of emotion involved.

I would love to see this made into one of those gauzy ensemble films in which you could lose yourself for a couple of hours of fun, beautiful scenery, and great characters.

My favorite read of the year!! Tartufo is beautifully written with humor and heart, the uniquely descriptive language blew me away. Kira Jane Buxton’s quirky and loveable characters had me wishing for a trip to the Italian countryside, I loved it!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an opportunity to read this book in exchange for a honest review. All opinions are my own.

Italian Mayberry
Ever read a book you didn’t want to end? People you wanted to spend more time with? This is that book- it’s cozy, and funny, and has so much heart. Words can’t do justice to how much I enjoyed spending time with this village, these people.
In the beautiful ancient Italian village of Lazzarini Boscarino, there is a secret that sits down below the soil. A marriage of fungus and chestnut, soil and damp waiting to be found. As the story opens at Bar Celebrità, the last open establishment of a crumbling Italian village, we meet a few of our colorful cast of characters:
Giovanni and his soulful, intuitive truffle hunting dog Aria.
Giuseppina barmaid extraordinaire . A 50 year old sex symbol loud and brash and bursting with love, life and passion. She was my favorite character
Farmer Leon who’s floozy elderly wife has disappeared, but he has the distraction his animals including the town’s 22 year old beloved donkey Maurizio, who incidentally almost was elected mayor.
Delizia grew up in the town and left as soon as she could, she became a veterinarian and finds herself back home and elected mayor, with the daunting task of saving this town.
When Giovanni finds a massive world record breaking truffle he knows that it can bring in enough money to save the town or ruin it with the insanity of such fortune.
This would make a good book club read. While on the surface its a simple story, there is a lot to unpack here and discuss. The role of community, grief and grievance. What does one owe their village, their family? How comfortable and yet stifling a small town can be, when everyone knows your business and your past. How empty success can be.
Before you start you really need to stock up on some good Italian food because you will be craving it as the delicious descriptions are pepperd throughout the story.

I hope there is a sequel! Please make this delightful book in to a movie. My casting suggestions Marisa Tomei as Delizia and Stanley Tucci playing Chef Umberto.
Highly recommend.