The car, as a general rule, was not exactly a love of mine, having had no experience, outside of fleeting visions of seeing dismayed and confused faces of my kin, leaving the farm. One of my first memories served to alienate its use and presence, entirely. At Only a few months, sitting comfortably in the lap of my “padroncina” Isabella, a lively 10 year old at the time, my paws splayed, on the dashboard, head up inquisitively, my attention, occasionally and casually straying to dogs on leads with their owners on the passing pavements, to whom I would, in general, excitedly bark in recognition, raising myself up on my hind paws, in the attempt to gain attention, as we pootered gently past. Then, one fine spring day, my vehicle experience was indelibly changed. On a nearby trip down to Rye harbour, habitually a treat and all-round enjoyable experience for me. I recognised every roundabout and steeple, with renewed excitement every morning, or afternoon. I strained on my lead painfully, in anticipation, each rancid puddle and steaming pile of poo was mine to explore and examine with the deepest of intensity, on arrival there.
Today we talk about Max, the mini, and one Tuscan summer, a book by Catherine Trowbridge Lisi, published with our publishing house Europe Books.
Europe Books had the pleasure of interviewing the author, Catherine Trowbridge Lisi, to get to know her better, what prompted her to write her book Max, the mini, and one Tuscan summer, as well the characteristics her audience should have to appreciate this story.
Below you can find our interview. Take a seat and enjoy your reading!!!
- Is there a particular moment in your life that led you to the writing of your book? What was that?
The particular moment, I think came, as having written unfinished pieces over the years, I was always interrupted by some circumstance or other. To explain I brought my daughters up as a single working mother and our return to the Uk, as well as being a sad culmination of my divorce from Vito, was also to be close to my mother who was beginning to suffer in her old age and need care and attention. The book had been a project I promised myself I would do – and so over a few months and many sleepless nights, I finally got it written.
- What characteristics your audience should have to appreciate your book?
I think the book will be appreciated by dog lovers in general, but in particular people who have established that special relationship, where the dog takes on characteristics of its owner, with a sensitivity and intelligence that possibly only dogs are capable of. I have also had cats, but the relationship was completely different. Cats are much more independent and develop in their own individual way. I also hope that readers who are curious or who have done a long road trip themselves will be open to enjoy the experiences detailed in the book,
- What is so special about the relationship that develops between a dog and its owner?
I think some (not all) dogs have a unique and highly sensitised intuition which leads them, to a particularly profound understanding of their owner – Max is clearly one of them!
- How would you describe your writing style?
My writing style I hope is upbeat, humorous and even in sad situations, capable of seeing the funny side. I think self-deprecation is very important, and empathy with those surrounding you a gift that is fundamental.
- Are you working on a new writing project?
I have completed another two manuscripts since writing Max, the first, “leaving the florentine dream” which although written in third person, describes a period of my life in Florence and subsequent experiences during the 1990s, the second, ‘Nightingales in the Acacia tree ‘ written in first person, and is an autobiographical account detailing my life in Italy, marriage, giving birth to my two children etc . I am currently working on other two manuscripts, the first written through the eyes of my cat, describing her life with all of its changes and evolving relationships including the move to England, called ‘Tabitha’s Tale’ and the other set in Florence mainly in the late 1950s -60s about a young Cambridge graduate, who falls in love during a summer working as an English teacher with an Italian family and who decides to follow her dream and ignore the family pressures to pursue the far more difficult choice of establishing herself in Italy.
Europe Books thanks the author, Catherine Trowbridge Lisi, once again for taking the time and answering our questions. We are really pleased to have walked alongside her on the editorial path that led to the publication of her book Max, the mini, and one Tuscan summer. We wish her the best of luck for her future works.
To you, my readers, I wish this book let your reading time an enjoyable one, that you can really feel through the pages of this book the profound understanding that makes a unique relationship the one between the dog and its owner; and at the same time that you will let yourself be captivated by the enchanting landscapes of Tuscany that form the backdrop to this story.
So, my dear reader, all I have to say is to enjoy your reading!
Your editor!