Casa Nostra: A Home in Sicily – A Captivating Memoir of Cross-Cultural Love and a Villa's Glorious Rebirth

by Caroline Seller Manzo

Englishwoman Caroline Seller met Marcello Manzo at a Halloween party in London in the mid-seventies. Although she spoke little Italian and he spoke practically no English, the chemistry between them was undeniable, and it wasn’t long before Caroline was invited to visit Marcello's family in Mazara del Vallo, Sicily. A large, eccentric, and loving clan living in a magnificent, crumbling villa, Santa Maria, the Manzos welcomed Caroline warmly, and soon she and Marcello were married. Together they traveled the world and started a family, but through it all, Santa Maria was never far from their thoughts. So when the Manzo brothers united to save the family's deteriorating estate, Marcello and Caroline eagerly signed on to the project—not entirely prepared for what they were getting into! As seen through the eyes of Caroline Seller Manzo—an outsider who is often surprised and always delighted by her Italian family and adopted hometown— Casa Nostra is the captivating story of a villa's difficult, glorious rebirth and a celebration of the unique beauty and history of western Sicily and its people.

Genres: Italy, Nonfiction, Biography, Biography Memoir

272 pages, Paperback

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.