Renato's Luck

by Jeff Shapiro

Renato Tizzoni, a waterworks man in the beautiful Tuscan village of Sant'Angelo D'Asso, has an infectious zest for life. But recently his rich and vibrant world has lost its piquancy. His best friend has died; his lovestruck teenaged daughter has become a sullen stranger; and even his passionate marriage is showing signs of cooling. To make matters worse, his beloved town is about to change dramatically. Prompted by a dream, Renato resolves to rediscover the flavor of life through a trip to Rome. But his fellow townspeople want in on the journey, and before long, Renato finds himself at the Vatican on behalf of all of them. There, as luck would have it, he finds a way to save his marriage, his family, and even his village.

Genres: Fiction, Italy

352 pages, Paperback

First published April 5, 2000

Reviews

[Lexi Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

How to be like the italians - take walks for the simple joy of observing life around you while reveling in the life you live, drink wine when the moment calls for a little wild side, express yourself, if not to your family or your priest, then at least to your inner monologue, take your dreams very seriously.

BE SURE TO TRY THE RECIPE!!!!
Renato eats Pecorino cheese with honey and black pepper on top.

I used my Cheese Shop skills to narrow it down to PECORINO DOLCE cheese (there are a lot of pecorino cheeses because pecorino means sheep in italian) but Pecorino Dolce is the youngest and sweetest making a great combination with the honey and black pepper. Be sure to use black pepper even if is not your favorite spice because it add a lot!

[Noah Torrance · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought it was fun! You def get caught up in the lil tuscan world, and you start to identify with the characters, but it takes a minute to get there. The plot drags though, and explicitly, because the ending is put off for several chapters so the MC can go around and chat with people. I thought this was okay though, and some chatting-chapters were really powerful.
Would read again!

[Kristina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this was very similar to "The Miracles of Santo Fico," which I liked a lot better. Still, it was a sweet story. I would have been happy to hear a little less about the nether regions of Renato and some other characters, but oh well. In general, a pleasant little book. My favorite part was definitely the end, with the pope. Very cute.

[Allan Doe · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great story. Wonderful characters, dialogue, descriptions of the places. A technicolor movie in my head. And, an ending that left me very satisfied.

It’s a quick read. It’s time well spent.

[naur · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first secondhand book that i bought from a local store. The line that caught my eye was "Everything dissapears like a dream" thats why i decided to purchase it, also once again, easy to digest and i finished it less than a week, didnt have reading slump surprisingly. This book describes the feeling of "nothing tastes the same anymore" even when your life feels full and happiness, looking for the answer with taking a trip to Vatican. Vatican itself is a city somewhere in high area, looking for validation and the answers there, but he realized that the answer doesnt come from formal recognition. Turned out he found the answer by listening to other people's stories, his 'luck' doesnt come from his wealth or status, but by the ability of connecting to humanity and empathy itself. So the luck itself is discovering the freedom to feel again. 5/5 to me absolutely!

My fav quote: "He went to the Vatican to find God, only to realize that God was in the olive trees and the water pipes of his own village."

[Michael Dutchak · Rating 5 out of 5]

The real name of the book I read was “Scattering Dreams of Stars”, written by my wife Cathy Dutchak. Since it is a draft and not published I used this title as a surrogate.

The story takes place in Washington D.C. in 2002 with the key characters influenced by their own quirky pasts and current events such as the aftermath of 9/11, the DC snipers and the impending invasion of Iraq.

Cathy does a wonderful job in developing and revealing the inner emotions and natures of Ian, Lucy, Ahmed and Audrey, who are drawn together in a complex solar system of colliding planets and self destructive black holes. Her imagery brings to life the souls of these characters throughout the book as they travel through time and space.

Enjoy the journey!

[Michael Alan Grapin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life for Renato has lost its flavor and the small town in Tuscany that he called home was about to be covered with water after the government built its dam. His most cherished friend has died and he can't seem to love his wife the way he wishes to. His daughter is carrying a secret along with the boy she's been seeing. He's visited by a dream and believes he must shake the hand of the Pope if ever his life is to turn itself around and discovers that everyone in town is behind him in his quest. A charming story with remarkable characters.

[Isabella · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author is talented and does a good job of setting the scene of life in this Tuscan town. Life in Tuscan towns can be pleasant and uneventful as this book! The characters are well developed but not much happens. We find out about everyone’s feelings and we know all about Renato’s member who has a will of its own (definitely written by a man). The story was too drawn out and not much happens although it is not an unpleasant read if you have lots of time. I won’t be reading the following up book.

[Nat Marchica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a bit too detailed at certain areas and I was getting impatient as just wanted him to get to Rome and see what happens. He only gets to Rome in the last 50 or so pages of the book. The lead up to it was bit too long - for sure!!

However, I still gave it 4 stars as I loved the scenery that the book was in and having visited that area, brought back all kinds of nice memories for me.

Loved his relationship with his sheeps and the names he gave them.

[Jeff Poling · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ultimately, I enjoyed very much. It’s a great setting (I always get hungry reading Italian books) and the characters are likeable.

My few problems - how is an English person communicating with all these Italians when she doesn’t speak Italian and they don’t speak English?

We also meet too many characters and then don’t get their endings. I wish they’d be collapsed/eliminated a bit and it could be 30 pages shorter, maybe.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful story of a simple life but when changes are afoot raises many questions. Wonderful descriptions of characters and a beautiful town. Overall an enjoyable read.

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this little heart-warming story. A little comedy, a little drama and a whole lot of positiveness and hope

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gentle book set in the beautiful Tuscan countryside about a simple man who has lost his lust for life. He dreams of a solution and when he carries out his promise wonderful things happen.

[Kristen · Rating 2 out of 5]

About the waterworks guy in some town in Italy. I gave it the old read-10% try and felt that I was in the hands of an amateur.

[Lorie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Book club. Didn't love it. Didn't hate it. Set in a small Tuscan village, the water man, Renato, has a bit of a mid-life crisis and "things just don't have taste anymore." He has a dream which leads him to see the Pope in Rome. In the end, he realizes his friends and family are the most important thing and are what gives him the spark of life. Plus, the Pope helps save the village by identifying it as an archaeological site causing the plan to build a new dam and submerge the village to be scrapped. Recommended for those wanting an Italian setting and a bit of a cozy read (although there is some sex) and who'd like the message.

[Audrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Life losing its taste...a troubling thought. This novel is a lesson on life and all of its wonders, but also how to find renew yourself- how everyone has their own story and their lessons and advice to give if you only listen. It is a wonderful novel and Renato is a unique character that expresses different set of culture values than the typical American. A rewarding read that should be read again.

[Katie Swan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book mostly because it does a wonderful job portraying Tuscany and the small-town dynamic as I imagine it to be. I think that his formula for the main character collecting individuals for his list got a bit redundant after a while. It was a bit fable-esque. A quick read and it will certainly make you want to go to Italy!

[Audrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Renato's List at the very start ended up being my review, what I held onto and what I wanted to go back to. So much to discuss, to reflect on, to take away for me personally. Definitely want to read this one again someday, at a different point in my life and see if I get even more from it. For a first book I hope it's not just beginner's luck and look forward to seeing this author again!

[Kathleen Payne · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is hard to believe that this delightful book is the author's first book. I felt like I was in Tuscany right along with the cast of cute characters in this book. It was delightful, even down to the 3rd goat with the limp. I read the book while on vacation in Montana and it was the perfect traveling summer read.

[Teena Stewart · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable story of a man in a small provincial town in Tuscany. We get to know the locals and the crisis they face. The town will soon be under water because the government is going to build a damn. But all is not lost as Renato has a dream that guides him in a direction.

[Steve Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love books set in Italy. Renato is the waterworks man in a small Tuscan hill town, who's suddenly lost his taste for life. In a dream he learns that to get his luck back he needs to visit the pope in Rome. But before he goes he learns that he's not the only one in town who needs a change.

[Kathy Hauck · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the characters you get to meet in this little tuscan village.

[Eriel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a funny sweet story all about the things we value in life.

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book!! Got it at the library as an accident.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Charming.

[Rbah]

I loved this book. A real look into small town Italy, loaded with great characters.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my all time favorite books. I wish he would write more.

[Barb · Rating 3 out of 5]

charming, easy reading, delightful

[michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although I could see where the story was heading, it was a good read and I didn't want it to end

[Laura Holland · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book - a bit different.