Dear Alfonso: An Italian Feast of Love and Laughter

by Mary Contini

'This is how I was born. At 7.30 a.m. at the Istituto Annunziata in Napoli on 1 May 1925…'

So begins a manuscript, handwritten by Carlo Contini, which lay forgotten and unread for years. The scrawling script unfolds an incredible tale of poverty, adventure and survival which Carlo had not shared with his family during his life time, but left as a moving and extraordinary legacy for them.

Inspired by this document, Carlo's daughter-in-law, Mary Contini, relates in her inimitable style the story of Carlo's life from wartime Pozzuoli, near Naples, and Genoa, and eventually to Edinburgh, where he arrived in 1952 on a three-month visa to learn English. Here his life was to change forever when he met Olivia Crolla and married into her family business, the delicatessen Valvona & Crolla. His experiences and background were a key part of the development of that fledgling business.

Heart-warming, moving and filled with laughter and love, Dear Alfonso is a wonderful celebration of food, family and friendship.

Genres: Food

332 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 7, 2017

Reviews

[Catherine Jeffrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of Carlo and Olivia Contini part of the family who run the famous Valvona and Corolla store in Edinburgh which is one of the best stores I’ve ever visited. Carlo grows up in Italy and the deprivation suffered by the Italian population during the Second World War is quite shocking to read. We get a glimpse of how Olivia growing up in Scotland and her sisters must conform to standards of propriety that seem very old fashioned to the present day reader. If you know Edinburgh it is easy to conjure up all the places mentioned in this book.

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not great literature but a nice, enjoyable and interesting read. Touches on family life in Italy & Edinburgh during and after the war. Gives interesting insight as to why Italians came to Scotland and how they established successful businesses. Also the male/female dynamics within those families

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this mostly for the historical info and relevance to Edinburgh in particular. Would have finished it much much quicker but it was my only paper book on travels to Colombia so I slowed down so as not leave myself without a book to read!
Swapped it in Salento for some very light reading.

[Piisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting biography, a story of survival through the horrors of war, from Italy to Scotland. I have Dear Francesca somewhere, must read that one again.