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A Footpath in Umbria: Learning, Loving & Laughing in Italy
Being a homebody, Nancy never would've spent a year in Italy had it not been for her husband's wanderlust. The couple didn't go there to buy or restore a house or to heal a trauma from the past. As ordinary boomers, they simply wanted to experience "The Dream" - to live in Italy. They settled down in traditional Umbria, just east of Tuscany. Constrained by a strict budget, their experience took on challenges as diverse as getting accustomed to the vagaries of Italian appliances to gathering their own wood. Transportation was by train, bus, bicycle or footpath. What neither of them knew when they began was how the adventure would challenge their habits, upbringing, and outlook on life. Most surprising of all was how the experience would challenge their relationship to each other. A Footpath in Umbria is a celebration of the joys and revelations to be found by changing venues, whether it's living in another country or simply venturing cross town.
- GenresTravelMemoirNonfiction
188 pages, Paperback
First published July 6, 2010
17 people are currently reading
50 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
August 27, 2015
Thank goodness for armchair traveling! This year, we have a college student and a high schooler who attends boarding school. The extra expense means no summer vacations in our household. But thanks to books like A Footpath in Umbria, I can experience a trip abroad from the comforts of my own home.
Solak and her husband decided to spend a year in Italy. Her story is wonderful and I love the fact that she doesn't gloss over the difficulties to accentuate the loveliness of the life in Italia. From the beginning, she tells us of her troubles with obtaining a place to live, which you must have in order to receive the visa required to live in Italy. I loved her interactions with the people she met there, from her charming landlord to the workers in the post office and library. There were many times I laughed out loud, and, in spite of having traveled to Italy three times myself, Solak enlightened me on quite of few facts about life in that country. In short, I loved it!
Solak and her husband decided to spend a year in Italy. Her story is wonderful and I love the fact that she doesn't gloss over the difficulties to accentuate the loveliness of the life in Italia. From the beginning, she tells us of her troubles with obtaining a place to live, which you must have in order to receive the visa required to live in Italy. I loved her interactions with the people she met there, from her charming landlord to the workers in the post office and library. There were many times I laughed out loud, and, in spite of having traveled to Italy three times myself, Solak enlightened me on quite of few facts about life in that country. In short, I loved it!
August 20, 2014
It is in the sub-genre of book "Italy as therapy" where I place this memoirs, because the U.S. American author, who suffers from anxiety and a high-strung nature, finds solace in Italy's slower pace of life; Italy's more humane social interactions; Italy's wild nature, low-technology society, relaxed mindset, lovely sounding language, and the ease of making friends in Italy's sociable society.
True to the author's need for order, the memoirs does not follow the usual chronological order of memoirs, but is instead grouped by subject matter. So, intentionally or not, the book can be seen as a guide for the visitor to the various tasks necessary for daily life in Italy.
The style of writing reminds me of a letter home to a dear friend, letting them know about the daily struggles of the writer's new adventure. The book is scrupulously edited, with not a typo in sight! There are fifty photographs that compliment the text perfectly.
Read the full and illustrated review at Italophile Book Reviews
http://italophilebookreviews.blogspot...
September 22, 2018
The beginning of this memoir grabbed my attention. It focused on new beginnings and settling into a foreign place. I enjoyed the little snippets of anecdotes about the author's relationship with her husband. However, this memoir lacks depth and coherence. Solak chose to write about random incidences during her stay in Umbria but fails to capture the essence of the place and how it has changed her for the better.
December 4, 2012
Friends, Good Food, Great Holiday!
My trip to Umbria, Italy lasted only about a week; and I never even had to get out of bed. It was a wonderful journey as I followed Nancy Yuktonis Solak on her year long vacation to the center of that passionate and romantic land. Her lovely book, “A Footpath in Umbria” is peppered with pictures of the spirited ebullient people she met and of the historic places she and her husband had visited.
Her day to day experiences were so much fun to read about as she and her husband took long walks meandering around the city, having dinner with friends and neighbors, imbibing in a little wine, and sharing in long leisurely conversations with the locals. It seemed no matter whom they met—everyone turned out to be a friend welcoming them into their homes and families.
She shared bits and pieces of Italian culture and noted the differences between theirs and ours. There were visits to the library, markets, and the different Internet cafes available where she could catch up on emails and phone home. It was interesting to note the hearty stock that Italians are and how they brave the cold weather; even in the dead of winter no one had a cold over there.
The only thing I didn’t like is . . . my adventure is now over; the house seems a little more quiet and empty than it did before I picked up this book. But, now I know, if I ever want to return to visit with Nancy or the people of Umbria, it is just a bookshelf away.
I’d like to thank the author for this beautiful copy of “A Footpath in Umbria”, and also to Review the Book.com for the opportunity to review this book.
My trip to Umbria, Italy lasted only about a week; and I never even had to get out of bed. It was a wonderful journey as I followed Nancy Yuktonis Solak on her year long vacation to the center of that passionate and romantic land. Her lovely book, “A Footpath in Umbria” is peppered with pictures of the spirited ebullient people she met and of the historic places she and her husband had visited.
Her day to day experiences were so much fun to read about as she and her husband took long walks meandering around the city, having dinner with friends and neighbors, imbibing in a little wine, and sharing in long leisurely conversations with the locals. It seemed no matter whom they met—everyone turned out to be a friend welcoming them into their homes and families.
She shared bits and pieces of Italian culture and noted the differences between theirs and ours. There were visits to the library, markets, and the different Internet cafes available where she could catch up on emails and phone home. It was interesting to note the hearty stock that Italians are and how they brave the cold weather; even in the dead of winter no one had a cold over there.
The only thing I didn’t like is . . . my adventure is now over; the house seems a little more quiet and empty than it did before I picked up this book. But, now I know, if I ever want to return to visit with Nancy or the people of Umbria, it is just a bookshelf away.
I’d like to thank the author for this beautiful copy of “A Footpath in Umbria”, and also to Review the Book.com for the opportunity to review this book.
April 2, 2012
If you are interested in Italy or enjoy travel writing, then this book is a great choice. Ms. Yuktoins Solak and her husband decide to live in Italy for an extended period of time. This book provides cute stories about the people they met and the unexpected adventures they had at mundane places like the grocery store and post office.
I wish that I had read this book before I had my own opportunity to live abroad--it would have encouraged me to do more journaling.
The only thing that I did not like about this quick read was the sections involving the author's relationship with her husband. I did not really understand what the big deal was, so maybe these sections could have been a little more developed.
I wish that I had read this book before I had my own opportunity to live abroad--it would have encouraged me to do more journaling.
The only thing that I did not like about this quick read was the sections involving the author's relationship with her husband. I did not really understand what the big deal was, so maybe these sections could have been a little more developed.
February 5, 2017
This is just barely a 2 for me, closer really to 1. I've been in Umbria, loved the countryside and the towns I visited. I was expecting to renew my love through this book. I didn't. The writer has an uncanny ability to focus on the least interesting details and miss the beauty around her - mailing labels, all the bugs she encountered. She seems to have spent her year waling back and forth to town and complaining about the paths. Early on, she comments on her sarcastic self but this little bit of self awareness does not encourage her to stop. The same sneering tone of complaint pops up throughout the book. Luckily it was short.
September 27, 2012
I found the cover of this book beautiful but the content very disappointing. This book is written for penny-pinching americans. How can you write an entire chapter on bugs and relate sunflowers to the movie the Exorcist? Also mysteries like the dividing bar at the cashier's in the supermarket and the postal slip for picking up boxes are described in way too much detail. It is a light read but I rolled my eyes most of the time and would rather go with Under the Tuscan Sun for a satisfying and enriching read.
September 1, 2013
Nancy and husband Rich decide to live a year as Italians in the historic city, Citta di Castello located in the Green Heart of Italy - Umbria. Having bought a house nearby I could immediately relate to many of the experiences this American couple had in learning to enjoy "la dolce vita!" We haven't had the chance to spend much time in our second home but Solak's insights should prove helpful when we do. If you haven't had the chance to visit Umbria, after reading this book, I hope you change your mind. I find this to be one of the most beautiful locations in Italy.
June 10, 2012
This was an interesting read - the author and her husband had went to Italy quite a few times for vacation and after the husband retired they decided to live there for a year. The story is about their journey getting there and the different things they had to go through while they were there. I love reading books about people traveling or living in others countries. A lot cheaper then going there!!
September 25, 2011
This may be the first travel themed book that did not make me want to visit the place in the book. I found nothing likeable about Nancy - and this was after she learned to relax. There are too many disparaging remarks about ... well, everything. There seems to be very little that can live up to Nancy's expectations. I also found the writing mediocre and the editing horrendous.
July 24, 2014
I really enjoyed this book, after deciding to purchase it, long after I read the Kindle SAMPLE. It was an enjoyable jaunt through Italy, like being on someone's vacation! Easy enjoyable cultural journey.
August 10, 2012
Enjoyed this book very much, and appreciated the practical tips for Italian living which I was able to put to food use on a recent trip.
May 22, 2013
I enjoy all of these books of living and traveling in other countries. It is for me a vicarious experience.
October 7, 2012
I enjoyed reading about the differences in lifestyle and the couple's everyday life while living in Italy for a year.
November 14, 2012
Entertaining look at expats year in a small Italian village. Lots if interesting details about day-to-day life.
May 12, 2013
The second half of the book really dragged for me......
June 6, 2014
Enjoyable book about this part of Italy.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews