CONTEST IS OVER. The FINAL daily prize in the January Giveaway goes out today. And then I draw for the Grand Prize Winners. (See below)
Destinations: Milan, New York City and Brittany in France
Book: P.O. Box Love: A Novel of Letters (originally 2009, but NEW in English– February 2012) by Paola Calvetti
I reviewed this delicious new romance in e-book format, and as I read P.O. Box Love, I used the bookmark function on my Sony reader to mark favorite passages (there were so many!) and to make a list of people for whom I want to buy the book (there were so many!) If you get the impression that I am recommending this gem to lovers of travel and lovers of literature, you have guessed correctly
The Belle Ile Love Nest
If you have ever been tempted to look up an old girlfriend or boyfriend, you will sympathize with Frederico. If you have doubts about revealing yourself to someone from your past, you’ll understand Emma. Did you ever have the urge to open a bookstore? You’ll love Dreams & Desires, Emma’s bookstore in Milan that specializes in romance. Paola Calvetti, the Italian author, agreed to answer some questions for readers of A Traveler’s Library, and in my first question, I get at one of the reasons this book stands apart. P.O. Box Love blows apart the assumption that romance ends at 35 or so.
A Traveler’s Library: How did the protagonists’ age change your task as a romance writer?
Menhir Jean, Belle Ile, Brittany
PC: The way I found Belle Île was really strange and… tied to the destiny of the book. I was in Concarneau; it was a cloudy afternoon and I was visiting its historical monuments, having a cup of tea and wandering in the alleyways. I happened to enter an ancient bookstore run by an old bookseller selling second-hand books. I asked him “do you have any books about Breton legends or rather a love legend?” “Of course”, he answered, the great story of Jean and Jeanne!”
There are literary quotations in abundance throughout P.O. Box Love. Emma ironically quotes Virginia Woolf,” how very little natural gift words have for being useful.” A sign on the wall of the store says “The only advice you can give someone about reading is not to accept any advice…” But we asked advice anyhow– for books that inspire travel. Paola echoed the beliefs of A Traveler’s Library.
Indeed the book is a love poem to the United States, particularly since Frederico is an Italian temporarily living in New York City during September 2001 and the book deals with the shock and horror of 9-11-01. Frederico (and the author) love the Morgan Library in New York and we are treated to the history of Morgan and the architectural challenges of adapting an historic building.
A love story told in letters sounds as though it would be a simple affair, but P.O. Box Love is enriched with literature, architecture, the beauty of three countries, the interplay of interesting characters, including a mother and her teenage son, and the invasion of the Internet into previously hidebound practices of publishing. All these factors contribute to a winner of a book. I welcomed Frederico and Emma into my life and was sorry to say goodbye.
Follow Paola on Facebook.
Disclaimer: Links to the book on Amazon are affiliate links, meaning that anything you buy when you use the link will help support A Traveler’s Library, and we thank you very much. The photographs here are all the property of Paola Calvetti and should not be reused without express permission.
Today’s prize, the LAST January birthday present, a copy of P.O. Box Love, goes to one person who comments, subscribes, tweets (using @pen4hire) or mentions Vera Marie Badertscher on Google+ (You can comment on this post or on an earlier post. Just do it before Wednesday, February 1, 3:00 a.m. MST. This is your last chance, also, to enter for the Grand Prize drawing.
Vote for my article on WorldTravelist.com, sharing the best travel content on the web.
About the Author:
A freelance writer who loves to travel. When she is not traveling she is reading about travel. When she is not reading or traveling, she is sharing with the readers of A Traveler's Library, Reel Life With Jane and other websites. Also co-author of a biography, Quincy Tahoma, The Life and Legacy of a Navajo Artist. Contact Vera Marie by e-mail.
Vera Marie Badertscher – who has written 680 posts on A Traveler's Library.
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Tags: Belle Ile, BlogSherpa, book review, Brittany, France, Milan, Morgan Library, New York City, romance, travel literature
I love to read mystery thrillers, and cop thrillers. I just pass by the romance section because it just doesn’t appeal to me. But it appeals to lots of people because their is a mraket for it and people continue to write and read them.
Oh! I love the sound of this book!
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Paz would like you to read..125th Street at Night
Oh this sounds like a marvelous read- it is everything I would want in a book- how often do I think “that picture could tell a story” or “that house could tell a story”- and here novels speaking to people- and the art of letter writing- and throw in love- oh my!! A perfect match for me
I will get my hands on this.
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Connie would like you to read..Memory Monday: Murky Soup- Part I
P.O. Box Love does have all the things we love, doesn’t it Connie?
oh!! i would love to read this – thank you for the recommendation – and the wonderful interview!
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wandering educators would like you to read..Author Interview: James Gough on his YA novel, Cloak
Ahhh….nice! I will have to check out Paola Calvetti’s work. Thank you for sharing. -r
Thanks Vera for your WONDERFUL article!
Love,
Paola Calvetti
And thank you for taking time to reply to my questions during this very busy book launch time.
International romances are the best! I’m working on my own romantic travelogue right now.
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Andi would like you to read..Chicago: Day 2 (Part 1)
This sounds like a delightful book, Vera. Love is timeless and ageless and good for the soul.
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InsideJourneys would like you to read..Soulful Sundays: Marcia Griffiths