Casa Nostra: A Home in Sicily

by Caroline Seller Manzo

In this enchanting memoir about food, family, culture, and culture shock, an Englishwoman shares the unpredictable adventures of her Sicilian family and the renovation of their villa At a mid-seventies Halloween party in London, Caroline Seller stumbled across a man in a lion mask. Although she spoke little Italian and he practically no English, both were undeniably smitten. After only a few more meetings, Caroline was invited to stay with Marcello's family in Mazara del Vallo, Sicily, where she was introduced to the eccentric Manzo clan—including Marcello's larger-than-life mother Maria—who lived in a magnificent but crumbling villa, Santa Maria. Soon afterward Caroline and Marcello married, set out on an expatriate life together around the world, and started their own family, but Santa Maria was never far from their thoughts. After much debate over the fate of the deteriorating villa, Marcello and his brothers united to save it. Determined in their mission—but not entirely prepared for what they were getting into!—Marcello and Caroline embarked on a restoration process full of disconcerting setbacks, demoralizing mishaps, and ultimately breathtaking results. Through amusing anecdotes, stunning photography, and inspired observations of Sicilian culture, Casa Nostra shows not only the renovation of the villa, but also the unique beauty and history of western Sicily and its people, as seen through the eyes of Caroline Seller Manzo—an outsider who is often surprised, and always delighted, by her family and adopted hometown.

Genres: Italy, Nonfiction, Biography, Biography Memoir

272 pages, Hardcover

First published June 26, 2007

Reviews

[Eréndira · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is lovely, funny and very entertaining to read. It is a nice way to introduce the sicilian cultural background, folklore and customs. And the way the author tries to cope with her new family is quite something to read. Personally, I do not see much difference between the sicilian customs, expressions, and manners with muy own countrys'. Perhaps it is due to the fact that both countries are latin.
Do not let that the small size of this book fools you, it's a Jewel.

[A. L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up. It’s a memoir; there is no plot. It’s just a series of vignettes loosely connected to a house in Sicily, but it’s a lovely armchair travel book. I have no desire to try and fix up an old manor in Sicily, but I’ll happily read about others doing so.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

True story about an English girl who marries into a Sicilian family and learns to live with their different habits, culture, family relations, etc.
I admire her.

[Pamela Hamilton · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed it.

[Deena · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful little book.
I very much enjoyed getting to know Caroline Seller Manzo's journey as she discovers her new Sicilian family, culture and home.

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful - I did not want it to end! :) I would like to read more from her.

[Outi · Rating 2 out of 5]

A bit boring. It was more telling than painting a scene, so felt like an outsider.