The Land Where Lemons Grow: The Story of Italy and Its Citrus Fruit - Hardcover

Attlee, Helena

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1581572905 ISBN 13: 9781581572902

Publisher: Countryman Press, 2015

Synopsis

A unique culinary adventure through Italian history

The Land Where Lemons Grow is the sweeping story of Italy's cultural history told through the history of its citrus crops. From the early migration of citrus from the foothills of the Himalayas to Italy's shores to the persistent role of unique crops such as bergamot (and its place in the perfume and cosmetics industries) and the vital role played by Calabria's unique Diamante citrons in the Jewish celebration of Sukkoth, author Helena Attlee brings the fascinating history and its gustatory delights to life.

Whether the Battle of Oranges in Ivrea, the gardens of Tuscany, or the story of the Mafia and Sicily's citrus groves, Attlee transports readers on a journey unlike any other.

About this title

About the Author

Helena Attlee is the author of many gardening books and has contributed articles to numerous magazines. She leads garden tours around the world.

Review

Thrillingly sensual, and zesty in every sense, Helena Attlee is the best of companions as she leads us through sundrenched citrus groves and in and out of history. A book full of surprises, with many curiosities, stories and recipes on the way -- Deborah Moggach, author of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel Inspired and inspiring, in prose as sharp as the fruit it celebrates -- David Wheeler, editor of Hortus This is the first among my books of the year. Every page of Attlee's subtle fusion of history and horticulture made me feel that it's time to pack the bags again for Italy -- Jonathan Keates * Literary Review * 4 stars. Attlee, who knows and loves Italy and the Italians, takes the reader through the country's scented gardens with her sharp descriptions, pertinent stories and quotes and intriguing recipes. I was there with her -- Anna del Conte * Sunday Telegraph * Fascinating . . . A distinguished garden writer, Attlee fell under the spell of citrus over ten years ago and the book, like the eleventh labour of Hercules to steal the golden fruit of the Hesperides, is the result. She writes with great lucidity, charm and gentle humour, and wears her considerable learning lightly . . . Helena Attlee's elegant, absorbing prose and sure-footed ability to combine the academic with the anecdotal, make The Land Where Lemons Grow a welcome addition to the library of citrologists and Italophiles alike * The Times Literary Supplement * A paradise of citrus is how I always think of Italy too: a place where ice-cold limoncello is sipped from tiny glasses on piazzas, and everything from ricotta cake to osso bucco is enlivened with zest. What a joy, therefore, to read Helena Attlee's The Land Where Lemons Grow, which tells the story of Italy through its citrus fruit -- Bee Wilson * Telegraph * Truly fascinating . . . For many years, Attlee has been collecting evidence for a story of citrus trees in Italy. The result, The Land Where Lemons Grow, is remarkable, excellently produced and essential for all lovers of Italy, their summer libraries and out-of-season itineraries . . . Attlee's book is unmissable for anyone intrigued by the relation between humans' travel, greed and ingenuity and the spread of the plants that we eat, smell and drink -- Robin Lane Fox * Financial Times * 'It would be a treat to find The Land Where Lemons Grow under the tree' -- Carolyn Hart * Telegraph, Books of the Year * 'It turned out to be the book I pressed on friends more than any other this year. If they were bemused, I hope they remained to be charmed. I read it randomly a few pages at a time until there were no pages I hadn't read twice. It was my respite from purposive reading.' -- Tom Stoppard * TLS, Books of the Year *

Edition details

• Publisher: Countryman Press
• Publication date: 2015
• ISBN 10: 1581572905
• ISBN 13: 9781581572902
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 264