An awesome audio book that cannot be missed

I read this fabulous book a few years ago through curiosity as so many friends had passionately recommended it. Within minutes of starting I understood their fixation and could focus on little else until that final page. Yes, I too adored this marvellous tale and joined the Chickens eat Pasta appreciation club. Needless to say when I heard it had also become an audio book I downloaded it instantly saving the first chapter for the beginning of the bank holiday weekend. I really didn’t think that a story could mesmerise me twice but Colleen MacMahon's exquisite narration was so vivid and so utterly intoxicating that it revealed nuances I’d obviously missed in the text and brought the whole book back to life in 3D. Don’t even think about starting this audio book if you have any pressing deadlines or friends coming around to disturb your listening ecstasy.
John Morgan

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A story from the heart, beautifully read...

I'm not sure I would have been brave enough at 26 to do this! For me, Umbria is the "secret gem" of Italy, beautiful countryside like Tuscany but a more raw beauty, with subsistence farmers and down to earth people. It has so much to see and do as a visitor, though in 80's it was an area less used to tourists! The community adopted the author and her strange english ways, to the heart of a small hilltop village, where she made new friends and a new life. A great listen anytime, but particularly if you have escape on your mind!

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A lovely book

A nice story written with love for her family and friends. A genuine picture of this wonderful area, located in the middle of the Italy, called Umbria!!

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Beautifully crafted words and crisp narration

I was lucky to win a copy of this audiobook in a competition.

In the past, I had issues listening to books. Either I found the narrator difficult to follow or the story not compelling enough to finish.

This audiobook was an exception, and I loved it. An enthralling memoir, it is narrated in a very professional way. I enjoyed following Clare Pedrick’s story of how, after a relationship breakup, she bought a house in Umbria and left her life in England to live there.

Words are beautifully crafted, and the crisp narration adds an extra dimension to Clare’s story of settling into a new life abroad and the challenges she faces. Colleen MacMahon brings Clare’s characters to life and gives the individuals their own recognisable traits and accents.

This is an audiobook to savour at your leisure and is easy to pick up after a break. I listened to it over a period of three weeks and never had to recap any of the earlier chapters. The narration was so strong it stayed with me and I looked forward to listening to each new chapter.

If I could give this audiobook 6 stars, I would. Highly recommended.

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Into the heart of Umbria

What would it be like to up sticks and move to Italy? If you have ever asked yourself the question, join Clare Pedrick in her journey as she moves to Italy and slowly is ensnared by the charm of the place. The book is funny and charming and all the characters so delightful one is sad to say goodbye to them at the end. It is a lovely trip into the heart of Italy. Delicious food, lovely countryside, hot blooded Italians and a young woman who slowly falls in love with a house,a village and a life. This lovely book is beautifully read by Colleen MacMahon, whose voice is very easy on the ear and who seems so very much in tune with the book and author. A great listen.

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love italy

loved this book, great description of environment and of the characters. just one issue, gap to long before announcing the next chapter. totally recommend this book.

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Umbrian envy

Back in the 1980’s, after a relationship fails, Clare Pedrick buys a rundown house in a small village in Umbria. She stills lives in Italy and still owns the house she bought. This is the story of her starting a new life in Italy all those years ago. It’s a charming story of her settling in to rural Italian life. There is a strong cast of locals who come into her life. Ercolino and Angela, Tito the shop owner and his courtship of an ex-nun, and the local car repair man who can’t keep his hands to himself.
It’s not all plain sailing for the author, there are many ups and downs as she fixes up the house and makes a new career for herself and eventually starts a new romance.
It was a charming listen and highly recommended to anyone who dreams of running off to Italy and starting life anew.

Thanks to the author for a free download of this on Audible.

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