One of the greatest charms of Robb's book is his evident delight in southern Italy, particularly its food, which is recorded with such intensity of memory that one can almost taste it... As an introduction to post-war Italy, to the country as well as its politics, it can have few equals
Caroline Moorehead
Times Literary Supplement
Robb writes brilliantly about the cycle of violence in southern Italy. This unclassifiable book melds politics, the mafia, travel, autobiography and serious cooking
Andrew Taylor
Independent
I love this book. It left me in a sweet and sour mood of exultation, grief, despair and hope which lasted for many days
Peter Goldsworthy
Australian Review of Books
One of the finest books on the Italian south. [Peter Robb's] analysis is as riveting in its commentary on modern Sicilian life as The Leopard was to an earlier generation
The Economist
Peter Robb manages to celebrate the literature, art, manners and food of an entire region. His book is a masterpiece of elegant, sceptical enquiry and a pleasure to read
Ian Thomson
Evening Standard