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Melted into Air
Frances Angel, drunk and disgruntled, arrives in Italy to attend the I Zingari Art School, leaving behind her dazzling career as a successful theatrical impresario and returning to a distant and painful past. She falls into an eclectic group composed of performance artists, ex-soldiers, and a housewife who really just wants to paint something to match her settee. In the village a scale replica of the La Scala opera house becomes the setting for the great drama of Frances’s past to be played out on the world’s smallest stage. Frances expected to find some answers, but what she didn’t expect was romance and quite so much farce.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published July 3, 2006
About the author
Sandi Toksvig
112 books569 followersDanish/British writer, presenter, comedian, actress and producer on British radio and television. She currently presents The News Quiz on BBC Radio 4 and 1001 Things You Should Know on Channel 4. In October 2012 she succeeded Sheila Hancock as Chancellor of the University of Portsmouth.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
February 1, 2014
An unexpected pleasure...with flaws.
I enjoyed this more that I expected to and liked Toksvig's obvious love of theatre, art and Italy. Her outsiders view of 'The English' was also a nice running aside. The art school scenes were lovely and rang true -
'Easels, fresh boxes of paint and jars of sable brushes stood to attention, ready for genius. The class, which was small, had gathered in the studio with a large palette of available emotions.'
The lesson on colour theory and illusions was interesting (and educational - who knew that temperature affects colour perception! Look up Zollner's illusion). I also really liked the core story - The Miracle of the Innocents.
But
the potential was not fully realised: I would have liked a more dramatic showdown between Frances and Benito. He definitely would have been out to kill her given his previous and what he stood to lose.
The book seemed to run out of time for its ending, and the theatre performance and demise of Benito seemed to be delivered in 'bullet points on a post-it note' form which was a pity.
I did, however, love Jack and the lost house and garden surrounded by fields of girasoli.
I enjoyed this more that I expected to and liked Toksvig's obvious love of theatre, art and Italy. Her outsiders view of 'The English' was also a nice running aside. The art school scenes were lovely and rang true -
'Easels, fresh boxes of paint and jars of sable brushes stood to attention, ready for genius. The class, which was small, had gathered in the studio with a large palette of available emotions.'
The lesson on colour theory and illusions was interesting (and educational - who knew that temperature affects colour perception! Look up Zollner's illusion). I also really liked the core story - The Miracle of the Innocents.
But
the potential was not fully realised: I would have liked a more dramatic showdown between Frances and Benito. He definitely would have been out to kill her given his previous and what he stood to lose.
The book seemed to run out of time for its ending, and the theatre performance and demise of Benito seemed to be delivered in 'bullet points on a post-it note' form which was a pity.
I did, however, love Jack and the lost house and garden surrounded by fields of girasoli.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 29, 2011
The gentle slapstick read a bit like middle-aged Helen Fielding but, as with her 'Olivia Joules' story, the sinster sub-plot jarred with the light frothiness of the overall tone. With Fielding it was international terrorism; here it was a murderous and sexually predatory priest. Both were equally and darkly incongruous.
I don't know why but I expected this to be better, certainly funnier, than it was.
I don't know why but I expected this to be better, certainly funnier, than it was.
March 30, 2021
Now I like Sandi Toksvig and her ever so slightly sarcastic sense of humour. Perhaps this is why I enjoyed this, whilst many Goodreads members have rated it a lot lower.
I wouldn't say it was hilarious, as book states, but it certainly had a dry humorous feel to it.
First third was a little slow but picked up pace further in. I had a good titter towards the end! Now I'm sounding like Frankie Howerd..... and who is he I hear you ask?!
I wouldn't say it was hilarious, as book states, but it certainly had a dry humorous feel to it.
First third was a little slow but picked up pace further in. I had a good titter towards the end! Now I'm sounding like Frankie Howerd..... and who is he I hear you ask?!
November 15, 2008
Very disappointing as expected so much more from Sandi Toksvig who is very funny to listen to. Her other books are maybe better.
August 2, 2011
a comedy of errors? the error was that there is no comedy in this book. totally boring, no humour at all. i've laughed more watching paint dry!!!
July 9, 2025
Erg spijtig. Op een dag hoop ik een goed kringwinkelboek te kopen, maarja mensen doen boeken weg met een reden he.
Zo fucking slecht. Kijk in het begin echt de ene na de andere goeie quote en breakupvibe en ga jezelf vinden, great! Maar waar the fuck is het verhaal daarna, en waarom is niks aan het verhaal leuk/duidelijk. Zo chaotisch, zo onnuttig, bah.
Helaas helaas
Zo fucking slecht. Kijk in het begin echt de ene na de andere goeie quote en breakupvibe en ga jezelf vinden, great! Maar waar the fuck is het verhaal daarna, en waarom is niks aan het verhaal leuk/duidelijk. Zo chaotisch, zo onnuttig, bah.
Helaas helaas
April 16, 2016
I have to say this book was a pleasant read, but it was in spite of several faults. Oh, for an author's postcript to explain how it all came about!
Maybe the author came across the story of the three little girls and their vision, but didn't know what to do with it. She couldn't make it a whodunit because the villain was obvious from the start - and there's no way he could be brought to justice either. So it had to be the backdrop for something else, and so the art school story was born.
Or maybe she went to an art school in Italy and encountered all these eccentric people, wanted to write a story about them and felt she needed something extra to beef up the storyline.
Either way, it didn't quite work. The horrific story of the three little girls was treated far too lightly most of the time. All the students at the art school were caricatures: they seemed to exist only to provide opportunities for witty one-liner descriptions. The whole novel was like a vintage English farce and the ending was certainly farcical, and maybe that was the intention - but it jarred with the serious sub-plot, and the climactic scene didn't play well on the page. It would've worked much better as a scene in a movie or TV series.
Maybe the author came across the story of the three little girls and their vision, but didn't know what to do with it. She couldn't make it a whodunit because the villain was obvious from the start - and there's no way he could be brought to justice either. So it had to be the backdrop for something else, and so the art school story was born.
Or maybe she went to an art school in Italy and encountered all these eccentric people, wanted to write a story about them and felt she needed something extra to beef up the storyline.
Either way, it didn't quite work. The horrific story of the three little girls was treated far too lightly most of the time. All the students at the art school were caricatures: they seemed to exist only to provide opportunities for witty one-liner descriptions. The whole novel was like a vintage English farce and the ending was certainly farcical, and maybe that was the intention - but it jarred with the serious sub-plot, and the climactic scene didn't play well on the page. It would've worked much better as a scene in a movie or TV series.
January 2, 2019
Sandi Toksvig has created a great story out of a very simple idea: that of a theatrical producer born in Italy and "exiled" to Britain when she was still too young to remember things clearly. Or so it would seem at first.
The novel takes us, along with her, back to the small Umbrian town where she was born, and as she re-discovers the dark secrets of her childhood, a very vivid picture is created of the incredibly Italian place and its incredibly Italian inhabitants, as well as an incredibly Italian art school. Having never been to Italy myself, sometimes it would seem that the stereotypes are a bit too predictable and generalised, but then again, the characters are very enjoyable and realistic.
Some of the aspects about the writing, such as the development of the romantic relationships, are not particularly original both in content and in style, but they do integrate well with the main core of the plot.
Finally, this is a very enjoyable novel mostly because it explores so many different personalities in characters of different backgrounds and nationalities, and from the perspective of a British-Italian woman.
The novel takes us, along with her, back to the small Umbrian town where she was born, and as she re-discovers the dark secrets of her childhood, a very vivid picture is created of the incredibly Italian place and its incredibly Italian inhabitants, as well as an incredibly Italian art school. Having never been to Italy myself, sometimes it would seem that the stereotypes are a bit too predictable and generalised, but then again, the characters are very enjoyable and realistic.
Some of the aspects about the writing, such as the development of the romantic relationships, are not particularly original both in content and in style, but they do integrate well with the main core of the plot.
Finally, this is a very enjoyable novel mostly because it explores so many different personalities in characters of different backgrounds and nationalities, and from the perspective of a British-Italian woman.
September 18, 2013
Frances Angel is feeling pretty low; the man in her life, lothario actor Alistair ran off with another woman when she raised the subject of children. Her well-meaning/interfering cousin Gina packs her off to Italy to face the demons (well, holy visions) of her past. Once she has arrived at Montecastello she is embraced into the art school run by Margaret and her husband Paolo. The other budding enthusiasts soon make her welcome, in particular the charming teacher Jack. Having grown up in this Tuscan village, Frances remembers what it was like as a child and the tragic events that resulted in her moving back to England.
The cover describes this book as ‘rip-roaringly funny’ this is not the case. It is a gentle novel, the story unfolds with no unexpected twists and few laugh out loud moments. The only real humour from the book came from the vulgarity of Lila and the odd expletive. If this was pitched as a cosy tale rather than a ‘comedy or errors’ the star rating would have been more favourable. Nevertheless a quick read and enjoyable escapism.
The cover describes this book as ‘rip-roaringly funny’ this is not the case. It is a gentle novel, the story unfolds with no unexpected twists and few laugh out loud moments. The only real humour from the book came from the vulgarity of Lila and the odd expletive. If this was pitched as a cosy tale rather than a ‘comedy or errors’ the star rating would have been more favourable. Nevertheless a quick read and enjoyable escapism.
October 6, 2014
Very disappointing.
I am a big fan of Sandi in her television appearances, but had yet to read one of her books.
Whilst I would say this book was impeccably written, I expected much more from this author.
There were times when it was vaguely amusing and I did like the descriptions and character development. Its just that it all seemed so pointless.
There was a beginning of a very intriguing plot, and then in a complete rush, it was all over. I felt as though my hopes had been raised and that Ms Toksvig just couldn't be bothered to finish the story with the same writing vigour with which she started.
I will try another of Sandi's books because she definitely displays word skills. But another one like this and I'll have to give her a miss.
I am a big fan of Sandi in her television appearances, but had yet to read one of her books.
Whilst I would say this book was impeccably written, I expected much more from this author.
There were times when it was vaguely amusing and I did like the descriptions and character development. Its just that it all seemed so pointless.
There was a beginning of a very intriguing plot, and then in a complete rush, it was all over. I felt as though my hopes had been raised and that Ms Toksvig just couldn't be bothered to finish the story with the same writing vigour with which she started.
I will try another of Sandi's books because she definitely displays word skills. But another one like this and I'll have to give her a miss.
May 1, 2009
it's amazing how much detail she puts into this book and how it touched me in the most subtle of ways. what i like is that it has the witty and smart element all jumbled up with the somewhat 'adult' issues, giving me a good laugh and something to think about too!
January 1, 2009
Bloody hilarious!
August 18, 2012
Read it because I'd enjoyed Flying Under Bridges so much. It didn't match it but, having said that, I'd love to see a film version with Penelope Wilton et al.
February 11, 2013
Bizarre story but you really get swept away by the description and human interactions.
April 23, 2013
Love Sandi but this book just didn't float my boat. Bring on the News Quiz!!!
May 1, 2013
She should stick to broadcasting.
June 4, 2016
Listened to audio, romantic, humorous fiction about a trip to Italy
January 18, 2017
I have no idea what this was about! Won't be listening to it again!
March 7, 2017
She is so much better than this!
April 18, 2019
Melted Into Air by Sandi Toksvig
First published 2006
⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Now, I have lots of time for Sandi Toksvig. She’s brilliant. I love her sense of humour and I really enjoy her characters. They have a lot of heart and that really comes across in her writing.
That said, I struggled a bit with ‘Melted Into Air’. I really wanted to like it and I did, but only once I realised that the best way to read it was in one go.
The story opens with Frances Angel, a theatre producer with a dark history who needs to return to her childhood home in Italy in order to come to terms with a lie she told with her two friends when they were little. When the action moves to Italy, there are a large number of characters, all rather eccentric and mostly loveable, who populate the scenery, and it takes a bit of following.
The complexity of the story makes me want to read it again. I think I would get a lot more out of ‘Melted Into Air’ from a second reading. However, on this first occasion, I found every time I put the book down, I struggled to remember which character was which, and what had just happened.
I would recommend this book, but I think I’d add that it’s best not to put it down. Although, all things being equal, I now want to retire to Italy.
First published 2006
⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Now, I have lots of time for Sandi Toksvig. She’s brilliant. I love her sense of humour and I really enjoy her characters. They have a lot of heart and that really comes across in her writing.
That said, I struggled a bit with ‘Melted Into Air’. I really wanted to like it and I did, but only once I realised that the best way to read it was in one go.
The story opens with Frances Angel, a theatre producer with a dark history who needs to return to her childhood home in Italy in order to come to terms with a lie she told with her two friends when they were little. When the action moves to Italy, there are a large number of characters, all rather eccentric and mostly loveable, who populate the scenery, and it takes a bit of following.
The complexity of the story makes me want to read it again. I think I would get a lot more out of ‘Melted Into Air’ from a second reading. However, on this first occasion, I found every time I put the book down, I struggled to remember which character was which, and what had just happened.
I would recommend this book, but I think I’d add that it’s best not to put it down. Although, all things being equal, I now want to retire to Italy.
November 15, 2023
This is my second of Sandi Toksvig’s books, and the most interesting thing to me is the fact that there have been two in a row that have had connections to the theatre. They’ve also both had a line in them about how actors should play kings and queens because they get to sit down and don’t have to hold props.
But other than that, there’s not too much that this has in common with the other, Hitler’s Canary. This is basically a kind of contemporary novel in which a woman returns to her birth country of Italy, pretty much against her will, and has to come to terms with an incident that happened in her youth.
I’m not sure how much more I can say without giving the plot away, but prepare yourself for a hefty dose of religion and an even heftier dose of art. And, because the action takes place in Italy, there’s also plenty of references to Italian culture and the local language. I don’t speak any Italian, but it did make me think I should send this on to my friend Charles Heathcote, who does.
It’s a pretty decent little read, but I don’t think it’s for everyone and I’m not even sure if it was for me. I don’t think I would have kept on reading if it wasn’t written by Toksvig.
But other than that, there’s not too much that this has in common with the other, Hitler’s Canary. This is basically a kind of contemporary novel in which a woman returns to her birth country of Italy, pretty much against her will, and has to come to terms with an incident that happened in her youth.
I’m not sure how much more I can say without giving the plot away, but prepare yourself for a hefty dose of religion and an even heftier dose of art. And, because the action takes place in Italy, there’s also plenty of references to Italian culture and the local language. I don’t speak any Italian, but it did make me think I should send this on to my friend Charles Heathcote, who does.
It’s a pretty decent little read, but I don’t think it’s for everyone and I’m not even sure if it was for me. I don’t think I would have kept on reading if it wasn’t written by Toksvig.
August 20, 2025
One of those fictions in which a person doing something in Britain, goes abroad for a holiday and ends up doing exactly the same thing. I didn't find it funny or very sensible. A jaded theatre producer who is so tired of the same plays and people, including having to work with a conceited ex, goes to Italy. Her family came from this villa which is now being used for an art school.
The people all seem older than her, they unaccountably have to paint in a room with air conditioning no matter how beautiful the scenery and light are outdoors, and they pretty soon decide to produce a play, with, of course, the theatre producer's help.
Next a couple of the British theatre folk show up, as they just couldn't leave her to enjoy her break. Including the ex, who reminds me of the Warren Beatty character in Carly Simon's song 'You're so vain'.
If I went to Italy to paint, I would expect to be painting and photographing vineyards, hills, coasts, marble statuary and olive groves.
This is an adult story and not romantic despite an effort to introduce romance.
The people all seem older than her, they unaccountably have to paint in a room with air conditioning no matter how beautiful the scenery and light are outdoors, and they pretty soon decide to produce a play, with, of course, the theatre producer's help.
Next a couple of the British theatre folk show up, as they just couldn't leave her to enjoy her break. Including the ex, who reminds me of the Warren Beatty character in Carly Simon's song 'You're so vain'.
If I went to Italy to paint, I would expect to be painting and photographing vineyards, hills, coasts, marble statuary and olive groves.
This is an adult story and not romantic despite an effort to introduce romance.
April 17, 2024
“The first view Frances had of Montecastello disclosed a fair sample of the whole. There seemed to be no main part, no busy centre, just a congress of lanes, each one winding on from the other. She realised she hadn't bothered to ask the driver for further directions. The art school was in Sophia Fratelli's old house. She would not think about Sophia. Frances trudged upwards. Perhaps she might remember the way.”
Frances, 40-year-old minor impresaria, goes to Italy to resolve issues from her childhood. Together with friends Sophia and Maria she’d been involved in a religious vision. There are lies and deceptions to uncover before she get to the bottom of things.
Very light, but dealing with serious issues. I was surprised that I liked it so much. I would not be averse to reading other novels by M/s Toksvig.
Frances, 40-year-old minor impresaria, goes to Italy to resolve issues from her childhood. Together with friends Sophia and Maria she’d been involved in a religious vision. There are lies and deceptions to uncover before she get to the bottom of things.
Very light, but dealing with serious issues. I was surprised that I liked it so much. I would not be averse to reading other novels by M/s Toksvig.
June 7, 2024
I found the book comical - I'd describe it as a mixture of farce and black comedy. There are many brief forays into serious matters of philosophy, art, Umbrian culture and history, and critique of religion.
*spoiler alert*
I am puzzled about about how the theatre producer could introduce a second part to the art school performance without the other art school students guessing her connection to the "Miracle of the Innocents", or at least having much debate about her interpretation of the story.
*spoiler alert*
I am puzzled about about how the theatre producer could introduce a second part to the art school performance without the other art school students guessing her connection to the "Miracle of the Innocents", or at least having much debate about her interpretation of the story.
Read
December 2, 2020I loved Sandi Toksvig's column in Good Housekeeping magazine (British edition), so was curious to read more of her work. I am not sure this was the best example. While I enjoyed the foray into Italy, and the writing is witty as ever, I was not convinced by this. The drama was too much like vaudeville for my taste, and the religious fervor was rather lost on me.
February 9, 2024
I was quite enjoying this, Sandi Toksvig is a funny, engaging woman and that reflects in her writing. That is until I reached page 180, at which point the main character lost all credibility for me and I began to dislike her ludicrous dilemmas. So good start but a main character who became annoying towards the end of the book.
February 17, 2018
I really didn’t enjoy this book - I think it was more the genre of book but I found it didn’t flow and hadn’t much for me to enjoy in the way of story.
July 8, 2021
I enjoyed this book, it has some fun cute characters and an interesting setting. Some of the plot was a little thin in it’s setup, like the romantic interests, but overall a cosy little story.
August 11, 2021
Fine but not spectacular. Basically chick lit but not all that funny and not all that frothy. Meh
April 2, 2022
Not just another chick lit book, this easy read was much better than I expected.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews