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A House in Sicily cover art

A House in Sicily

By: Daphne Phelps
Narrated by: Carolyn Bonnyman
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Publisher's Summary

Near Mount Etna in Sicily lies Casa Cuseni, a beautiful house built in golden stone - and the home that Daphne Phelps was astonished to find she had inherited in 1947. At the age of 34, war-weary from working as a psychiatric social worker, with barely any Italian, and precious little money, she plunged into a fascinating Sicilian world. Every imaginable problem had to be overcome, not only financial difficulties but local authorities and a house staff who initially felt no loyalty to the new Signorina but who gradually accepted her as a respected member of their small community.

To help make ends meet, for many years she ran Casa Cuseni as a pensione and to her doors came Roald Dahl, Tennessee Williams, Bertrand Russell and Henry Faulkner. But just as important to her life and her story are the Sicilians with whom she shared the love and care of Casa Cuseni: Don Ciccio, the local mafia leader; Vincenzio, general manservant who recited while he served the meals; Beppe, a Don Juan who scented his eyebrows and his moustache to attract the local girls; and above all the steadfast cook and housekeeper who lives with Daphne still and to whom this book is dedicated.
©1999 Daphne Phelps (P)2006 Oakhill Publishing
Women
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Profile Image for Babs Moy

a perfect view of Sicily

delightful memoir
a word picture both evocative and quietly humorous
well read
a glimpse into a world now gone

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2 people found this helpful

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Profile Image for Richard

Good, but...

I really enjoyed listening to this although at times I found it a bit soulless. After finishing the book I reflected that I knew nothing about the personal life of the author despite hearing everything about everyone else. Perhaps Phelps was deliberately secretive about her life. Someone should write a short biography.

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