What do you think?
Rate this book
Under the Tuscan Blunder: One Baby, Two Italian Citizenships, and Three Houses
Have you ever dreamed of moving to a foreign country only to find out that the reality is far more chaotic than the fantasy?
When Richard Lucchesi traded the familiar comforts of America for the charm of Tuscany, he anticipated a life of la dolce vita—quaint villages, rolling vineyards, and endless sunshine. What he didn’t expect were the hurdles, heartbreaks, and hilarious misadventures that would transform him forever.
In this captivating memoir, Lucchesi chronicles his leap into Italian navigating impossible bureaucracy, renovating crumbling houses, battling language barriers, and grappling with a culture that both welcomed and confounded him. Along the way, he builds a home, welcomes the birth of his son, and wrestles with the complexities of belonging as he pursues Italian citizenship.
Whether he’s squaring off with wily realtors, befriending Sardinian bird pluckers, or unraveling the mystery of the town’s trash collection system, Lucchesi’s vivid storytelling reveals the raw truth of chasing dreams abroad. With humor and heart, he offers readers an intimate glimpse into the trials and triumphs of carving out a life far from home.
For anyone who’s dreamed of starting over in a postcard-perfect setting,
Under the Tuscan Blunder
is a reminder that paradise isn’t always what you imagine—but it’s often exactly what you need.
When Richard Lucchesi traded the familiar comforts of America for the charm of Tuscany, he anticipated a life of la dolce vita—quaint villages, rolling vineyards, and endless sunshine. What he didn’t expect were the hurdles, heartbreaks, and hilarious misadventures that would transform him forever.
In this captivating memoir, Lucchesi chronicles his leap into Italian navigating impossible bureaucracy, renovating crumbling houses, battling language barriers, and grappling with a culture that both welcomed and confounded him. Along the way, he builds a home, welcomes the birth of his son, and wrestles with the complexities of belonging as he pursues Italian citizenship.
Whether he’s squaring off with wily realtors, befriending Sardinian bird pluckers, or unraveling the mystery of the town’s trash collection system, Lucchesi’s vivid storytelling reveals the raw truth of chasing dreams abroad. With humor and heart, he offers readers an intimate glimpse into the trials and triumphs of carving out a life far from home.
For anyone who’s dreamed of starting over in a postcard-perfect setting,
Under the Tuscan Blunder
is a reminder that paradise isn’t always what you imagine—but it’s often exactly what you need.
189 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 30, 2025
91 people are currently reading
7 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
January 11, 2026
The first part of the book was very enjoyable. And then once they got to Italy it turned into what a lot of these vanity published books turn into - a whine fest about how nothing works the way the had hoped or expected. I say they but his poor wife seems like an uncredited extra in most of the book.
July 24, 2025
Having visited Tuscany every summer for over thirty years I found this a sad read. I have always known about the frustrations of Italian systems but this guy seems to have hit every problem, perhaps he was the “dick” he refers to.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews