Synopsis:

Paul Smith's life is going nowhere. His ideals no longer tally with those of a drab, materialistic Britain, so he sets off for Italy where he finds joy, freedom, romance and lashings of cheap Chianti.

Fast, funny and wickedly perceptive, Alex Martin's first novel is a highly entertaining account of young man's search for love and for a place he can call home.

Sending this to a bookcrosser to fulfill my UK Secret Santa 2018 duties.

Off travelling to my Secret Santa recipient.

Received in my UK Secret Santa parcel alongside a selection box of Green and Black chocolate. Yum! This book has been on my wishlist for ages, so it was a great choice. Thank you!!

This novel was a winner of the Betty Trask award for first novels. I usually like the winners of this prize and have found some great writers this way. Not all of them go on to have careers as authors though. I quite enjoyed this tale of Paul and his life in Italy, even if he wasn't always very likeable. The one thing that made me see red was his offensive view that maybe the woman he had been seeing (really as a friend and who didn't want a romantic relationship) would have enjoyed being raped by him. It really left a sour taste in my mouth even though Paul grew up a bit at the end of the novel and sorted himself out.

Set free in the Little Free Library outside the Glasshouses. Happy reading!