Marlena de Blasi's Magical Sicily

Marlena de Blasi's life, as told in her books, often reads like a fairy tale: romance and true love, villas and palazzos, mysterious encounters, astounding luck and good fortune, and, of course, happy endings. But her latest That Summer in Sicily: A Love Story is the most magical of all.

This time, Marlena herself is not the central character, but merely the recorder of a tale so remarkable that it's hard to believe it could be true (although there is no reason to suspect it is not).

It's the story of Tosca Brozzi, who, as a young girl, was "traded for a horse" to a feudal prince in deepest Sicily.

De Blasi and her beloved husband, in quest of material for an article,  had tried and failed to penetrate the closed culture of the Sicilian mountains, and were about to give up, when a cautiously friendly policeman suggests she visit Tosca in the Villa Donnafugata (the house of the fleeing woman).

Not knowing what to expect, the couple finds what turns out to be the former hunting lodge of the last Anjou prince in Sicily.

They watch dumbfounded as laughing, singing women, all dressed in black, work in the gardens, bake bread in the bakehouse, and go about their chores, until a striking woman dressed in jodhpurs and boots strides up to them and announces, "I'm Tosca Brozzi. We'll be sitting down at one. I'll let you know later if there's room for you to stay."

Marlena and her husband do stay, not just for a night but for the entire summer.  And slowly, bit by bit, they learn the unforgettable story of Tosca and her villa of women. It's a timeless story of ancient traditions, love, lust, and community that could only have occurred in this specific time and place.

I don't want to ruin it for you, so I will leave you in suspense to uncover and unravel the tale with Marlena. Imagine a fabulous tapestry, covered with a cloth. First, your guide lifts one corner and you get a glimpse. Then you are shown another tantalizing piece in the middle, and then another bit across from the first. It takes a while, but suddenly you can visualize the whole picture and begin to grasp the hidden meanings and to fathom its mysteries.

It's a delicious way to experience a most remarkable tale that I am willing to bet will stay with you and inspire you forever.

That Summer in Sicily: A Love Story marks a real departure from De Blasi's usual subject matter and style. Those who found her previous memoirs somewhat overblown and even a bit precious, will discover a new voice here-- one that is rich and evocative, but more controlled and novelistic.

Of course, this is a must-read for anyone considering a trip to Sicily, and a orange-scented winter indulgence for those of us who only dream.  I hope you will read That Summer in Sicily: A Love Story  and let me know what you think.