Catching Fireflies

by Tony Rocca

Following an extended bout of hard city life, Tony Rocca and his wife, Mira, decided that some of the really important things were missing - good food, plenty of sunshine and a relaxed approach to life. Despite Tony's name, however, their decision to move to Chianti was not based on heritage, nor any knowledge of the Italian language or spirit that had failed to pass down the line to him.Hardly expecting things to be straightforward, Tony and Mira set about raising a loan to purchase Collelungo, the dilapidated property they had set their hearts on converting into an 'agriturismo' hotel. Complications and misinterpretations followed hot on the heels of each other, and before long they found themselves in trouble with the Monte dei Paschi bank with a debt of one billion Lire. Finding drumming-up business to be a tougher task than they had anticipated, it was not long before the Roccas realised that alternative avenues would have to be explored to increase their income. Keeping on the hospitality business, Tony was persuaded by Mira to experiment with the vines that had been part of the property purchase. Sceptical though he was about the investment involved, the success of these wines was unprecedented...What follows is a heart-warming story of success and integration into a community through persistence, good humour, and sheer hard work.

Genres: Italy

305 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 2004

Reviews

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

From 2004...the true testament to reaching for a dream...to save a crumbling ruin from Tuscany's colourful heritage...& restore & re-configure it as a viable, modern attraction to visitors from all corners of the world beyond Castellina in Chianti...in the majestic landscapes around Siena. Tony Rocca, an Italian son from Mancunia, & his non-Italian wife, Mina, succeed, after years of frustrations & obstacles, in not only restoring Collelungo as a holiday complex but developing a wonderful red wine from their own, revived & revitalised vineyard...with the help of locals in all their vivid, 'contadini' spirit.
The book is so informative about life in late-20th c. Tuscany - a region of Italy where I spent a memorable year ('84-'85) teaching English to naval officer cadets at Livorno! - & oozes with the sensual charms of Italian life...food, wine, wildlife, weather & generous, friendly people that it's almost like being there once more!
And it features names I know...not least, the town of Poggibonsi(!!)...not far from the towering pinnacles of San Gimignano, which defies even a poet to put into words...without a glass of Chianti Classico wine...with its signature black rooster crowing about the sheer delights of the views & the personality of the locals!
A very good memoir of a perfect dream realised...with several nightmares along the way. As local boy Machiavelli might have said..."Salute...ma stai attento, ragazzo mio...questo vino rosso ha un calcio per la vita!"
P.S. Che belle ragazze anche!

[Lynn Dixon · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Catching Fireflies, Tony and his wife Mira left their jobs as journalist and travel agent in London and moved to Tuscany, Italy. They purchased an old fixer-up farm and turned it into a small hotel and they entertained and housed guests from all around the world. Their greatest challenge was the bureaucratic red tape, but they stayed with their plan. They also grew grapes in their vineyards and produced fine wine during their twelve-year venture. But like the illusive firefly, they knew when it was time to turn out the lights and move on!

[Jeanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A man and his family buy a house in Italy and try to start up a B&B. Another one in the Tuscan Sun genre.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I hated the start of this book, and almost decided not to finish it, but was glad I did - I was in tears at the end.

[Karlien]

Book club - Trudie

[Shirley Lawson · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you have ever thought about setting up home in Italy, this true story of a couples struggle to renovate an old Tuscan house and recapture the beautiful surrounding vineyards is enough to put you off for life! Enjoyable apart from the misspelling and misuse of Italian words and phrases which were actually not necessary to include