Viva la dolce vita

This was a fun and very enjoyable book to read.  By the end of the book I wanted to be a part of this little circle of friends.  I envy very few people that I meet in life.  But after reading this book Michael Tucker and Jill Eikenberry quickly became two people in that select group. 

 The first part of this book  keeps a good pace, but in the middle it does slow down and then picks up again.  In the first part you are busy seeing and relating to the duality in their lives.  L.A. Law is coming to an end about the timing of their Italian adventure, so you get a sense of change in the air.  You get the sense that it is time to let go of some things and time to begin others.  This is part of the appeal of the book. Michael and Jill are figuring it out as they go along and we are the audience that is watching their decisions form into a new reality. Their Hollywood careers are winding down, Jill loves doing shows in New York yet living in New York is something they've already done and the City no longer offers the sweet life they are looking for.  Enter Italy.  One of the first things that show the difference in cultures is the2 hour lunches that are commonplace in the Italian setting - a clear demonstration of the good life.  

This is a book for those who love to travel, love to cook and enjoy living with a sense humor.   For those armchair travelers who would love to visit the Italian Countryside sipping wine and consuming savory dishes this may be a great way to get there.  But be worn you may not want to come back.

On my last rip to Italy I noticed Prosecco in some of the shop windows.  However, I had never tasted it.  As it turns out Mike and Jil  has a friend named George who loves Prosecco and brings it to every event.  So, I had to buy some.  I bought a bottle at Total Wines and chilled it.  Within days of buying the wine I noticed a full page ad in the Wall Street Journal about  Prosecco,  one of Italy's best kept secrets.  I couldn't believe it.  We opened it that night.  It's a sparkling wine similar to Champagne but there isn't a pop.  It's wonderful especially on a warm day.