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26th out of 240 books
—
290 voters
The Wedding Officer: A Novel of Culinary Seduction
In the sumptuous tradition of Chocolat and Captain Corelli's Mandolin, and already optioned for a major motion picture, comes a magical tale of romantic passion, culinary delight—and Italy.
Captain James Gould arrives in wartime Naples assigned to discourage marriages between British soldiers and their gorgeous Italian girlfriends. But the innocent young officer is soon dis...more
Captain James Gould arrives in wartime Naples assigned to discourage marriages between British soldiers and their gorgeous Italian girlfriends. But the innocent young officer is soon dis...more
Hardcover, 432 pages
Published
May 1st 2007
by Bantam
(first published 2006)
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Bukunya tebal, 568 halaman. Tidak heran kalau ceritanya boleh belok-belok. Dari judul dan sampul depannya sudah jelas ya, kalau ini buku roman. Dan memang iya. Maunya pasti romantis, karena setting-nya di Italia, masa Perang Dunia II pula.
Yuk, lihat ceritanya. Ada gadis desa yang pintar masak yang tinggal di lereng Gunung Vesuvius. Namanya Livia. Ia bertemu dan menikah dengan prajurit muda bernama Enzo, yang kemudian mati dalam perang melawan Sekutu di Rusia. Italia pun diduduki Sekutu, pahit ge...more
Yuk, lihat ceritanya. Ada gadis desa yang pintar masak yang tinggal di lereng Gunung Vesuvius. Namanya Livia. Ia bertemu dan menikah dengan prajurit muda bernama Enzo, yang kemudian mati dalam perang melawan Sekutu di Rusia. Italia pun diduduki Sekutu, pahit ge...more
bukan cerita cinta biasa
melihat judul dan cover na yang seakan berbunga-bunga, maka perkiraan isi na akan penuh dengan cinta-cinta. awal na malas membaca buku dengan genre seperti ini tapi karena diobral hanya 10 ribu dengan buku setebal ini, kanapa engga' mencoba memiliki na.
dan ternyata... isi na tidak semurah harga na. kisah cinta yang diawali dengan konflik perang, konflik budaya dan konflik kepentingan. berlatar belakang italia pada masa perang dunia, cinta antara penduduk lokal dan pasukan...more
melihat judul dan cover na yang seakan berbunga-bunga, maka perkiraan isi na akan penuh dengan cinta-cinta. awal na malas membaca buku dengan genre seperti ini tapi karena diobral hanya 10 ribu dengan buku setebal ini, kanapa engga' mencoba memiliki na.
dan ternyata... isi na tidak semurah harga na. kisah cinta yang diawali dengan konflik perang, konflik budaya dan konflik kepentingan. berlatar belakang italia pada masa perang dunia, cinta antara penduduk lokal dan pasukan...more
1 like · like · see review
Sebuah kisah cinta klasik. Terjadi di tengah peperangan, melibatkan dua manusia berbeda negara. Kisah cinta berlatar belakang sejarah memang selalu menarik, karena penulis bisa memanfaatkan seabrek data yang aslinya memang sudah menarik, tinggal dikutak-kutik dan ditambahkan bumbu-bumbu penyedap. Ditambah lokasi cerita yang sangat eksotis, maka jadilah.
Tapi yang membuat buku ini sangat berkesan bagi saya sebenarnya deskripsi makanan Italia yang bertebaran di sana-sini. Membayangkannya saja suda...more
Tapi yang membuat buku ini sangat berkesan bagi saya sebenarnya deskripsi makanan Italia yang bertebaran di sana-sini. Membayangkannya saja suda...more
1 like · like · see review
Anthony Capella - The Wedding Officer (Sphere, London, 2007)
This is the first of my summer reads, and what a summer read it is!
The setting is the Bay of Naples, 1944. Naples has been occupied by the Allies, and the ongoing rationing makes it hard for the people to survive. Restaurants have been shut down, but operate officially, and one can get hold of almost anything on the black market. Most of the women of Naples are forced to prostitute themselves to soldiers in order to support themselves,...more
This is the first of my summer reads, and what a summer read it is!
The setting is the Bay of Naples, 1944. Naples has been occupied by the Allies, and the ongoing rationing makes it hard for the people to survive. Restaurants have been shut down, but operate officially, and one can get hold of almost anything on the black market. Most of the women of Naples are forced to prostitute themselves to soldiers in order to support themselves,...more
2 likes · like · see review
The premise gave way to the feeling that this would be a good read, but the actuality fell short. The majority of the book was interesting a bit long winded in places but enjoyable is a light not much thought way. But the last quarter of the book let it down. It felt as though well what else can be chuck at the plot, the author had at his fingertips lots of factual information for this period of Italian history well lets use it even if it doesn't do much to enhance the story, because it didn't t...more
My most recommended book for 2008. Fans of many genres will enjoy this example of great story-telling and rich characters. So, when you someone asks "What is this book about?" - I respond "Well, what is not about!?" (Okay, so I won't regurgitate the synopsis in which much more experience reviewers have taken such great care).
This book has almost everything. Passion, food, characters, passion for food, passion for others! Reading this book took me back to Napoli (I had the pleasure of visiting tw...more
This book has almost everything. Passion, food, characters, passion for food, passion for others! Reading this book took me back to Napoli (I had the pleasure of visiting tw...more
3 likes · like · see review
After reading the synopsis on the back of the book, I was quite excited to read it; however, I walked away a little disappointed.
Set in WWII, it begins with Livia Pertini, living in a town on Mt Vesuvius. She is a cook at her family osteria, which is like a tavern of sorts. It later introduces Cpt. James Gould, a British officer. It is Gould's job to prevent the soldiers from marrying Italian women.
The book started off quite slow for me. Since I am an avid reader, I will read the first few chapt...more
Set in WWII, it begins with Livia Pertini, living in a town on Mt Vesuvius. She is a cook at her family osteria, which is like a tavern of sorts. It later introduces Cpt. James Gould, a British officer. It is Gould's job to prevent the soldiers from marrying Italian women.
The book started off quite slow for me. Since I am an avid reader, I will read the first few chapt...more
1 like · like · see review
I included this book in a Bookcrossing article about the "empty nest" trip my husband and I took in the fall of 2009. Here's the excerpt regarding this book:
"We had a three-hour break between work and dinner for cleaning up, napping and/or visiting the local bar and shops. That's when I'd catch up on my reading. I finished Julian (loved it!) and started on The Wedding Officer. A love story—the perfect book for readjusting to a childless life. Plus the food! The story is about a young British off...more
"We had a three-hour break between work and dinner for cleaning up, napping and/or visiting the local bar and shops. That's when I'd catch up on my reading. I finished Julian (loved it!) and started on The Wedding Officer. A love story—the perfect book for readjusting to a childless life. Plus the food! The story is about a young British off...more
Another enchanting read from Anthony Capella, filled with good food, great scenery, and marvelous characters. James Gould is your typical upright and well-behaved Englishman, stationed in a small town near Naples during World War II and stuck with a difficult job: discouraging soldiers from marrying their Italian girlfriends. Even more difficult when he starts falling in love with an Italian girl himself: Livia, the pretty and prickly barracks cook who eventually introduces James to Italian food...more
1 like · like · see review
Having read Capella's first book, I was very excited to read how he would weave words together in order for me to actually taste the Italian meals that the character Livia makes. I was disappointed, however, as the book started off strong and detailed the lives of Italians during World War II in a way I had not yet previously considered and then dragged on and on and on.
James Gould is an officer for the British army who meets and falls in love with Livia despite being unable to marry her. The p...more
James Gould is an officer for the British army who meets and falls in love with Livia despite being unable to marry her. The p...more
1 like · like · see review
Apr 26, 2009
penelopewanders
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
rings-rays-loans-traded
On loan from Alex. Had read and loved The Food of Love by this author, and am quite caught up in this one as well!
Half way through I was talking to a friend and said it reminded me a lot of Captain Corelli's Mandolin. After finishing the book, I read all the little tidbits, kind of licking the plate, so to speak, and saw that on the back cover they make the comparison too. So I'm not very original but I do agree. What a great book. Frequently I was laughing out loud, or close to tears, or angry...more
Half way through I was talking to a friend and said it reminded me a lot of Captain Corelli's Mandolin. After finishing the book, I read all the little tidbits, kind of licking the plate, so to speak, and saw that on the back cover they make the comparison too. So I'm not very original but I do agree. What a great book. Frequently I was laughing out loud, or close to tears, or angry...more
1 like · like · see review
May 16, 2010
Fluffychick
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
books-read-in-2010,
italy
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Apr 08, 2013
MB
rated it
2 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Book clubs? Do you fantasize about Sophia Loren?
2.5 stars
Very cinematic. I could almost hear the soundtrack swelling behind me as I read through this book. Several plot points were obviously included for their visual drama rather than as relevance to the plot (view spoiler)
The problem for me with this book was that although it was intended as a romance, I found the plot to be distinctly unromantic. Every single female (except for a elderly martyr, a child prostitute...more
Very cinematic. I could almost hear the soundtrack swelling behind me as I read through this book. Several plot points were obviously included for their visual drama rather than as relevance to the plot (view spoiler)
The problem for me with this book was that although it was intended as a romance, I found the plot to be distinctly unromantic. Every single female (except for a elderly martyr, a child prostitute...more
I previously read this author's book The Food of Love & really enjoyed it. I expected this book to be as good but in my opinion it was better. More of a structured story and stronger characters. A really lovely read & not too heavy. It made me aware of other aspects of WW2 & the occupation of Italy which is very interesting. Of course Italian food featured prominently throughout the book & did make me want to rush out & find some fresh buffalo mozzarella. Very funny & ent...more
I just ordered this book. It's the current "Packabook" selection for March. Packabook is like an online book group that chooses one book from a country. Weekly emails "discuss" the book. I hope this book arrives in time (ordered for a penny plus shipping from CA) because I want to set a new goal of keeping up with the weekly "discussions". Reviews on Amazon ranged from horrid to fabulous. Interesting. I'll read so many pages a day and see how this goes. I love the idea of one book/one country. I...more
Buku romance yang bikin laper...hehehehe...
Gaya berceritanya kental dengan aroma perfilman, umm..gimana yah.., maksudnya, banyak adegan yang sangat filmis *bahasa apa pula*..misalnya saat Enzo diajak bicara oleh ayah Livia mengenai keseriusannya menikahi Livia, dengan latar belakang sapi yang sedang kawin..(hihihi), lalu saat teman-teman sekutu James yang pernah diluluskan permintaan pernikahannya membangun restoran yang ambruk, trus saat James mengaku dalam bahasa Italia pada acara penghargaan...more
Gaya berceritanya kental dengan aroma perfilman, umm..gimana yah.., maksudnya, banyak adegan yang sangat filmis *bahasa apa pula*..misalnya saat Enzo diajak bicara oleh ayah Livia mengenai keseriusannya menikahi Livia, dengan latar belakang sapi yang sedang kawin..(hihihi), lalu saat teman-teman sekutu James yang pernah diluluskan permintaan pernikahannya membangun restoran yang ambruk, trus saat James mengaku dalam bahasa Italia pada acara penghargaan...more
What I learned from this book?
A whole lotta' stuff about cooking!
Jeff and I read it together - a bit each day.
The reason I had it out of the library was because I thought it was the book for October (monthly discussion at High Park Library - Toronto). But it wasn't. We finished it just the same.
All in all, I enjoyed the book; I don't consider it to be the greatest thing in literature though. The ending was a bit contrived, in my opinion.
And there was a bit too much soap opera in it.
But still, w...more
A whole lotta' stuff about cooking!
Jeff and I read it together - a bit each day.
The reason I had it out of the library was because I thought it was the book for October (monthly discussion at High Park Library - Toronto). But it wasn't. We finished it just the same.
All in all, I enjoyed the book; I don't consider it to be the greatest thing in literature though. The ending was a bit contrived, in my opinion.
And there was a bit too much soap opera in it.
But still, w...more
Jul 23, 2009
sinta nisfuanna
rated it
2 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
metropop-teenlit-chicklit,
pinjam
Berlatarkan Perang Dunia kedua, kisah romansa antara Livia Pertini dan James Gould bergulir. Sebuah kisah yang mengambil setting tempat di Negara Italia. James Gould adalah seorang pejabat pernikahan, yang bertugas untuk menghalangi para tentara sekutu menikah dengan wanita Italia. Semula Gould adalah pejabat pemerintahan yang tegas dan berhati dingin. Segala pengajuan pernikahan yang mengatasnamakan, tentara dan wanita italia, pasti akan ditampik dengan berbagai alasan. Tidak hanya masalah pern...more
The book is about a guy, James, who is stationed in Naples as an intelligent agent and Wedding Officer who has to approve of all marriages of British Soldiers and when he takes over he starts making people follow the rules really maybe a bit to much even. Then there is the girl, Livia, who lives in a village outside Naples and cooks for the family restaurant. Livia is married before the war to the soldier and he is killed in the war, but Livia still won't break her marriage vows fighting against...more
1 like · like · see review
This novel is set during WWII in Italy, and starts with Livia, a talented cook who works at her family's small osteria in a village near Mt. Vesivius. She is charmed by an Italian soldier and agrees to marry him. They arrive in Naples to live with his family. When he is shipped out and the bombing begins to become terrible along with the shortages, Livia returns to her village. To escape a local thug who sets the Allied authorities on her family when Livia refuses him, and to find out what has h...more
Ahh..pastinya ini lebih bagus daripada kisah Tomasso di Food of Love..konfliknya unik.. dari kisah cinta, kisah kemanusiaan dibalik perang dunia ke-2, masalah birokrasi sampai kejadian/bencana alam masuk juga didalamnya..dan tentu saja kuliner Italia Selatan..Neopolitan.. yang mmhh..yummy..yummy.. :)
Kisah dibuka ketika Livia Pertini, juru masak osteria disebuah desa yang bernama Fiscino..bertemu dengan tentara Italia (posisi Italia adalah sekutu Jerman) yang tengah bersiap untuk melakukan pertem...more
Kisah dibuka ketika Livia Pertini, juru masak osteria disebuah desa yang bernama Fiscino..bertemu dengan tentara Italia (posisi Italia adalah sekutu Jerman) yang tengah bersiap untuk melakukan pertem...more
Lebih bagus wedding officer daripada the food of love menurutku. Ceritanya masih seputar italia, tp pada masa jaman perang dunia 2. Masih ada soal makanan meski nggak banyak dan masih cerita guylit.
Yang bikin menarik sih menurutku pas cerita gunung visucius or something itu meletus. Itu kejadian beneran tapi sang hero nya bukan tokoh disini melainkan orang lain. Cuma kerena aja tuh ngeliat cowoknya lari2an menyelamatkan banyak jiwa ampe2 nggak sempet nolongin si cewek. Dah gitu dia nggak gampang...more
Yang bikin menarik sih menurutku pas cerita gunung visucius or something itu meletus. Itu kejadian beneran tapi sang hero nya bukan tokoh disini melainkan orang lain. Cuma kerena aja tuh ngeliat cowoknya lari2an menyelamatkan banyak jiwa ampe2 nggak sempet nolongin si cewek. Dah gitu dia nggak gampang...more
This book got off to a slow start--I wasn't sure where it was headed. But the more I got into it, the better it was. The book takes place in Naples in 1944 and tells the story of James Gould, a British officer stationed there as the "wedding officer" (the one who had to approve marriages between local Italian girls and British officers, and Livia Pertini, a local girl who came to work as a chef for the Allied officers. Though this book tells of the developing relationship between James and Livia...more
I give this book 4 stars purely because it talks of food all the time. and Italian food at that.
I'm not a romantic novel person except for a coupla Mills and Boons or a Danielle Steele when I need a good cry. This is my first Capella book. A friend who I borrowed it from promised tons of food talk and Capella didn't disappoint.
This book is set in Italy during the WW II and the war and its doings prove to be a great backdrop for this love story. Makes you feel good and leaves you hungry. for mor...more
I'm not a romantic novel person except for a coupla Mills and Boons or a Danielle Steele when I need a good cry. This is my first Capella book. A friend who I borrowed it from promised tons of food talk and Capella didn't disappoint.
This book is set in Italy during the WW II and the war and its doings prove to be a great backdrop for this love story. Makes you feel good and leaves you hungry. for mor...more
Yak langsung aja. Buku ini saya beri bintang 3, karena rasanya ada bagian yang tidak berimbang (ritme bacanya gini: bagian awal sangat pelaaaaaaaannn, bagian tengahnya cepat dan ngebut semalem suntuk, lalu di bagian akhir-stop-melelahkan). Apalagi banyak adegan seks yang dibuat vulgar, tapi kadang-kadang diceritakan secara tersirat dan malah membuat bingung (contoh: apa itu secara teknis masih perawan, dan secara teknis sudah tidak perawan?), padahal kalo gak ada adegan itu, ceritanya gakkan nga...more
I loved this book too! What a delight. The story of a love affair between a British officer and his tempestuous Italian cook in the final years of the Second World War, it would make a wonderful movie. I'd pay to see it, for sure. I've read two earlier books by Anthony Capella, The Food of Love and The Empress of Icecream, and like them, this book is full of fabulous descriptions of food. I cooked my family an Italian feast once I'd finished this book, though I had to look up some of the recipes...more
Buku romance yang kereen..berlatar belakang perang dunia kedua, kisah cinta Livia,seorang juru masak italia dengan Kapten James Gould, seorang Inggris yang menjabat sebagai Wedding Officer atau pejabat pernikahan.
Suka banget dengan karakter Livia yang keras hati, dan berhasil hidup di jalan lurus meskipun tengah berkecamuk peperangan, dan ternodai ketika harus memilih antara harga diri dengan orang yang dicintainya.
yang pasti...laper deh baca buku ini...sarat dengan berbagai keju dan masakan ita...more
Suka banget dengan karakter Livia yang keras hati, dan berhasil hidup di jalan lurus meskipun tengah berkecamuk peperangan, dan ternodai ketika harus memilih antara harga diri dengan orang yang dicintainya.
yang pasti...laper deh baca buku ini...sarat dengan berbagai keju dan masakan ita...more
This book was a great vacation read, which is what I wanted. Absolutely loved the food talk, best part of the book!!! Loved the description of the setting and placement of the characters in history. Was a little embarrassed by the sex talk, probably because I (a grown and married woman, mind you) was reading this on vacation with my parents. :-) Kept fearing my Dad would glance over! I agree that the ending sped up and lost a little credibility, but still the book delivered what I expected from...more
An amazing World War II novel from the Italian perspective. England's Captain Gould is assigned a post in Naples, where corruption, rations, and living each day to survive is a necessity. Through a series of events, country girl Livia comes to cook for him. Not only does her food inspire his actions in war, but shows him the taste of love. On top of dealing with a war, Naples must also deal with a natural diaster of their seemlingly dormant volcano. This novel makes one wonder what they would do...more
This book combined some of my favorite things....romance, delicious food, history, and vivid descriptions of life in Italy during world war II. The characters were all interesting, three-dimensional people. It was a very fast read despite its more than 400 pages. The last few chapters showed a gritty reality which was a departure from the earlier chapters of the book although serious issues were woven in throughout. Like most romances, the ending was happy bringing a wistful tear to my eye. Very...more
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Anthony Capella was born in Uganda, Africa in 1962. He was educated at St Peter’s College, Oxford, where he graduated with a First in English Literature. The Food of Love, his first novel, was a Richard and Judy Summer Read in the UK. It has been translated into nineteen languages and has been optioned for the screen by Warner. His second novel, The Wedding Officer, was an international bestseller...more
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*bisik2 ke kuping Roos*
Nglirik2 takut ke Mbak Endah karena...more
updated Jan 08, 2009 11:44pm
Jan 09, 2009 12:12am