Fabio Bartolomei

This is a fairly lightweight, blokey feel-good novel, obviously written with one eye on its potential as a film script (since realised). In the aftermath of the financial crisis, no-hopers Fausto, Claudio and Diego decide to put their meagre savings together to follow the Italian dream of moving to the country and opening an agriturismo (farmhouse B&B). They hardly know each other, they don't have much in common apart from a desire to get away from their current lives, and none of them has any remotely relevant skills or experience. So we know it's going to be a disaster of sit-com proportions...

With good luck and the help of some unexpected friends — including a communist veteran, an elderly local mafioso, and some African farm-workers — they manage to make a go of their shaky business, and while they are about it learn about the values of self-reliance, hard work, organic vegetables and elective families. And even that there can — sometimes — be more to relationships than sex. But they still have to deal with the problem of the old car buried under the lawn whose radio keeps on playing classical music at unexpected moments.

Alternately trivial and sanctimonious, and written from a rather tediously heterosexual-male perspective, but a nice idea, and with some good comic scenes. Probably better as a film than as a novel, but quite entertaining anyway.… (more)

Delightful and surprising story about three middle-aged losers who go in on a country B&B together, only to have an immediate run-in with the local mafia, which they deal with in a most unexpected way. And they almost get away with it... I enjoyed every page of this black comedy about modern Italy, growing older and finding yourself. http://www.bostonbibliophile.com/2015/07/review-alfa-romeo-1300-and-other.html… (more)

The best way to describe Alfa Romeo 1300 and Other Miracles is as a men's mid-life crises novel on drugs. The characters don't start out very likeable. They're three down-on-their-luck, self-centered, often prejudiced guys with poor social and love lives and very few redeeming qualities. When these city-slickers decide to start anew and renovate a large country home into an agritourist bed and breakfast, what could possibly go wrong?

Of course, hilarity ensues. At times I was laughing out loud. This is one of the funniest books I've read in a while, just from the characters' blunders and the almost ridiculous situation that progresses between them and members of the local mob. Somehow the author actually makes this scenario seem realistic, though for most of the book the reader lives under the knowledge that the situation can't possibly last in the men's favor and will only end badly. Still, it's fascinating to watch how the characters change and develop under the influence of their mutual country enterprise. They're not always capable of saving themselves from their own mistakes, however, and so the cast of characters grows as others join the initial trio in maintaining their schemes. In addition, there's a good deal of social messages included in the story, making this not only a very enjoyable read, but also one that sticks with readers after they have closed the covers.… (more)