Welcome to 3 books and to Angela Petch’s choices.
Angela lives half the year in a remote valley in the Tuscan Apennines and six months by the sea in West Sussex. She has travelled all her life: born in Germany, she spent six years as a child living in Rome, worked in Amsterdam after finishing her degree in Italian, moved to Italy for her job, then to Tanzania for three years. Her head is full of stories and she always carries a pen and note-book wherever she goes to capture more ideas. To date, she has published (via Endeavour Press) two historical novels set in Tuscany and in 2017 her short stories appeared in the People’s Friend and in PRIMA magazine, winning the May 800 word story competition.
1. What’s the first book you remember reading?
“The Secret Garden” by Frances Hodgsen Burnett, a children’s classic, written in 1911. I was ill in bed when I was ten for a week or so and was captivated by the descriptions and story.
2. What book will always stay with you and why?
“All the light we cannot see” by Anthony Doerr. What a masterpiece. It took the author ten years to write this piece of art. Each page a jewel. Storyline brilliant; characters that are very real; beautifully written. Something to aim for in writing. He won the Pulitzer prize for this.
3. One book you are looking forward to reading?
Today I have ordered a hardback copy of “The House at the Edge of Night” by Catherine Banner. I have never come across this author, but the blurb was enticing – set on an island off Sicily. I lived and worked in Sicily in my twenties and recently returned after a thirty-five-year gap, so I’m looking forward to this a lot.
You can find Angela on her Website | Booktrail | Review
Now and then in Tuscany
a sequel to Tuscan Roots, carries on the story of Anna and Francesco Starnucci with their family in the Apennines. Interwoven are the adventures of Giuseppe (Francesco’s grandfather) and his winter journeys from the mountains down to the Tuscan plains, herding sheep and cattle to better grazing.
This transumanza lasted five months and encompassed many hardships, including the ever-present threat of malaria, bandits and a long period of separation from family.
Each generation is on a journey of self-awareness. Giuseppe finds companionship and romance through his trials, while Anna’s family have each to find their own way through the maze of present-day dilemmas. And just as Anna uncovered secrets about her own past in Tuscan Roots, it is Francesco who now makes a surprising discovery about his own identity.
Margot Kinberg says
You had me at The Secret Garden. I loved that book as a child, and it’s very good to see it here. Thanks, both, for an interesting post.
Angela Petch says
Thanks for this opportunity. Since originally sending details of my books, I am no longer with my publisher and the covers of my books are different. Same contents – except there is the addition of photos within. Here is the new link to my sequel featured above: https://tinyurl.xom/y7alduqc.
Angela Petch says
Wrong link: doh! httsp://tinyurl.com/y7alduqc
Jessie Cahalin says
Lovely post! I adore reading about what has inspired authors. Angela’s novels are glorious reads.
The Secret Garden was also one of my favourite as a child. My garden isn’t large enough for my own secret garden so I wrote about one instead.
I am going to read “All the light we cannot see” by Anthony Doerr. I know I downloaded this on my kindle.
SONIA FLAUM says
Dear Ms. Petch,
I have tried to reach you and hope this will do the trick. I finished The Tuscan Secret and adored it. I would like to read your books IN ORDER what would come after the Tuscan Secret? My late husband was Polish and was in Auswicz Concentration camp as were many of his friends. I am from London originally and my heart has always been in Italy believe it or not. Please let me know which order I should read your books as I see you have many with the Tuscan theme. I do hope you will receive this and answer me at your convenience.
Sincerely,
Sonia Flaum
soniaovertherainbow17@gmail.com
Thank you so much. Can’t wait to see what is next.
Angela Petch says
Hello Sonia,
I do have an author page on Facebook if you ever want to contact me, plus this e mail address: petchangela@gmail.com.
The books are all stand alone, but if you want to read them in the correct order: The Tuscan Secret first. Then, A Tuscan Memory (note – this is NOT a war story and it is a bit different and might not appeal? It tells the story of a young boy from the mountains for runs away to join the shepherds (for a reason you will have to find out from the book 😉 ) Next, The Tuscan Girl. Those first three books are about the same family at different stages. The next book is not part of that series and is called The Tuscan House (another war story, as is also The Tuscan Girl). I have another book being edited at the moment, but I don’t know the title as yet. Finally, if you want to read something of mine that is completely different – Mavis and Dot is a story about two ladies of a certain age, who live by the British seaside and get up to all kinds of scrapes. All money from the sales goes to research into cancer.
I am so sorry to hear about your late husband. I have some Polish blood. I can quite understand why your heart is in Italy. It is a beautiful country.
Many thanks for reaching out and I hope you enjoy my other books.
Stay safe and very best wishes,
Angela Petch