Bella Figura by Kamin Mohammadi // Book Review 2018

“She walks down the street with a spring in her step and a lift to her head. She radiates allure as if followed by a personal spotlight. She is real and walking the streets of every city, town and village in Italy right now. She is the embodiment of Bella Figura and she cuts an elegant dash through our mundane modern world.”

Bella Figura : How to Live, Love and Eat the Italian Way

by Kamin Mohammadi

Kamin Mohammadi, in her mid thirties and living a stressful life in London, with the ‘Big Job’ as writing editor for a magazine, suddenly finds herself not only redundant and physically burnt out, but completely bereft after a traumatic emotional break up. Her health is suffering and there is no guiding light on the horizon. But out of the blue, an amazing offer arrives, the chance of free accommodation in a palazzo in Florence - what’s not to like? Can she now write that book she’s been promising to do for years... ?

Bella Figura is the story of Kamin’s time in Florence and is written in the form of a monthly diary, over the course of the year 2008. It opens on a cold, wet day in early January, and she is dreading the prospect of living in a strange country where she doesn’t speak the language. But she soon settles into the wonderful apartment, with its the glorious view and as she savours the smells and delights of the city, her body and mind unfold and the tension of the years melt away. Kamin delights us tales of the local shopkeepers, cafe owners, the market stall holders who fill her basket with local produce and five her advice, and she even encounters a crazy plumber when the heating breaks down and he cooks her garlic spaghetti. The book is full of inspiring and oh-so-delicious sounding Italian recipes and we can’t help joining her on this culinary and aesthetic journey, and as she wanders the cobbled streets, soaking up the riches and delights, Kamin begins to blossom and thrive, finding the Italian way, La Bella Figura, of enjoying life. Not only does she share the food, the language and the culture but, without giving too much away, she also shares with us the intimacies and excitements of her new found love life…

Having been to Florence myself, it doesn’t take much to fall in love with this gem of a city and it was a delight walk the streets again with Kamin, and to be reminded of its beauty. If you love Italy, as I do, you will love Kamin’s journey. Enjoy!

Have you heard of this book before? Let me know what you think in the comments below!

More soon,

Helen

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