at least you're in tuscany by JENNIFER CRISWELL



This is such an enjoyable non-fiction book about a woman, Jennifer Criswell, who decides to move from the United states to Tuscany, Italy. Although there is much in the story about Tuscany, there is more about how the author adjusts to a new location so far from home.

This is a honest story. Jennifer Criswell writes about her personal struggles to rebuild her personal world overseas. To me, the most difficult part of the journey is her lack of funds. She planned to work, but getting a job was like finding a nail in a haystack. Finally, Ms. Criswell had to skype her parents to ask for a loan. Not easy because her father didn't mince words about thinking she had done things a little bit backwards. Then, her paper work to get a job seemed to take forever to come together.

I've often read and enjoyed books about people who move overseas to live and restore a chalet, cottage, etc. It was new to me to read about a woman's personal journey with problems like gossiping neighbors, emotionally distant people and spending the holidays, Christmas, far from Rockefeller center.

While I cried and worried along with Jennifer Criswell, I also had the chance to enjoy Thursdays at the marketplace, the taste of asparagus, tomatoes and grapes and a glass of wine. In At Least, I Live in Tuscany, I felt the pain of a romance with a married Italian. I also enjoyed the family she met with many children. She wasn't ready to accept the idea of babysitting but did enjoy visits with the family.

Overall, the Italian autobiography taught me gratefulness and strength of spirit. When she faces the lowest period her words are, "at least, I'm not homeless in Tuscany." Perhaps, Cinder, her dog, helped her carry the burdens of learning a new language and dealing with a cold home and a grumpy landlord. Along the way Cinder ages. Perhaps watching his master struggles in a strange place were more than he could bare. Still, along the way Cinder showed patience and grace. Thinking about it even Cinder taught me the beauty of  learning how to live. jennifercriswell

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