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Italian Joy
Carla Coulson had it all, or so everyone told her - a glamorous inner-city apartment, a successful business and a designer wardrobe. One lonely Christmas Eve, however, she realised what was missing: excitement, work she was passionate about and, most of all, love. So, Carla packed up her life and boarded a plane.Italy was her first port of call and became her true destination. With a camera and nothing to lose, she found herself immersed in Florence, tasting the food, learning the language, meeting the people, discovering a new career and country - and photographing her new life.
Carla's evocative text and rich photographs bring alive the laughter, warmth and passion of Italy. We meet the people who have embraced her; we see the streets, bars, churches and markets that have enchanted her; and we feel her gioia (joy).
Italian Joy will make you yearn to follow in Carla's footsteps and discover the true beauty of life in a magical place.
Carla's evocative text and rich photographs bring alive the laughter, warmth and passion of Italy. We meet the people who have embraced her; we see the streets, bars, churches and markets that have enchanted her; and we feel her gioia (joy).
Italian Joy will make you yearn to follow in Carla's footsteps and discover the true beauty of life in a magical place.
280 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2007
118 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
January 2, 2017
Joy in every page. Carla has a way of seeing the best in everything she counters - which is not only refreshing but transported me every night to a happy and joyous place. A real pick-me-up. It is a book I will dive into again and again...
June 19, 2022
I loved the physical feel of this book although it was a tad unwieldy to read in bed. If you are a 'coffee table book' sort of person I'm sure it'd work well on display.
As to the text...it was fine but predictable. I'm not sure that there's not much more that can be written about 'la dolce vita' that hasn't already hit the pages a million times. Of course, it doesn't stop me wanting to experience it again and again. Despite the size of the book, it was a very quick, pleasant read with some nice photos to accompany the text.
As to the text...it was fine but predictable. I'm not sure that there's not much more that can be written about 'la dolce vita' that hasn't already hit the pages a million times. Of course, it doesn't stop me wanting to experience it again and again. Despite the size of the book, it was a very quick, pleasant read with some nice photos to accompany the text.
June 6, 2019
Changed my life, it's time to follow my own dream and find my joy =)
August 30, 2025
beautiful and heartwarming
July 18, 2015
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful book (or...'bello, bello, bellisimo libro' in Italian). I was given this book by someone who knew we were travelling to Italy in a few months time and I loved reading it and admiring the masses of photos. It has plenty of Italian words and phrases, beautifully woven throughout the stories which makes you feel like you're right there with her. While it's a story about Carla and her experiences, not a travel book, I still found plenty of useful tidbits I made note of to help us when we go over there. It has also given me plenty of ideas for photographs - she is amazingly good at making you feel like you are a part of this big family. Her bold move to another country and whole new type of lifestyle has to be marvelled and admired. I can't wait to see Italy and I think I will now see it through different eyes.
October 17, 2013
One of my regular customers lent me this book to read after I visited Italy when travelling. It's not ordinarily something that I would even think about reading but it was a quick read with lots of interesting photos and thank you very much Carla, now I want to go live in Italy and zoom around on vespas, eating delicious foods and finding the spunky love of my life. I did love her epiphany moment in the early pages though. It's a defining moment that absolutely would make you want to change your life. Hmmmmm Now I just need my own epiphany....
April 19, 2013
I am in 70% already reading it since I started last night. And oh geez...every single description the author wrote about Firenze and about Italian life, I can completely relate to. Kudos to this book and I must say EAT PRAY LOVE of Elizabeth Gilbert is nothing! This book drives me to write my own book about my culinary & art adventure in Italy. Hoping Penguin Australia will approve my manuscript!
August 9, 2011
I chose this book because someone at my book club loaned it to me and also I love Italy so I guess I'm being a bit nostalgic.
I quite enjoyed this book but I found it a bit impersonal. The photos are nice though.
I quite enjoyed this book but I found it a bit impersonal. The photos are nice though.
April 21, 2009
Gorgeous book - almost three dimensional in it's beauty. Perfect title. Wonderful observations and recordings of life in a country where they know how to eat, drink and live! I wanted more chapters!
December 17, 2011
A beautiful book, superb photography and a tale of a fellow Sydneysider following her dream to an Italian life.
October 24, 2012
I love everything about this book. The story, the photos!!PERFECT!! Has to be my favorite book ever.
November 26, 2012
Absolutely loved it, you cannot help to be taken on the adventure with Carla. Finished it in a day!
August 5, 2013
Delightful story and gorgeous photographs. Increased my love of Italy (if that's possible) and was a joy to read
September 18, 2015
Sumptuous. Coffee table eye candy. Makes you want to book a flight to Italy immediately. Do not resist that urge
July 31, 2016
Beautiful to browse, read and look at.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews