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| The Various Flavours of Coffee |
| submitted by Peggy Gregory 12/11/2008 |
This fascinating book was one of those rare finds - it beckoned to be read, & yet I never wanted it to end. What a treasure you are to those of us who love to read!!
Sincerely, Peggy Gregory |
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| submitted by bev Browning 08/11/2008 |
| It's been a long time since a book has filled me up with emotion. I adored every page and felt transported to wartime Naples - what terrors, what love! I will definitely read more of your stories as I cook to relax and read to delve into others lives. This book had it all for me and of course I'm a sucker for a love story to! |
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| Wonderful Story |
| submitted by Frank Sarro 12/10/2008 |
I enjoyed every page and appreciated insight into the Italian partisan story. Now I want to know more.
You've got to love a culture that knows food is just as important as love or living. Thank you for bringing us this story.
I do hope that if a movie is made it does your work justice and I look forward to more of your writing.
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| You are a fresh breath of air |
| submitted by meryam saliiby 27/09/2008 |
I read ur book, and it took me to a journey beyond belief. I flew from the every day life to a dream land where even in the time of war there is a positive side to thinks .Great job and hard one tooooooo i can c that good luck.
I love cooking and baking but just paying a littile attintion to ur recipes made me feel like i am missing alot out and here i thought i knew what i was doing ...hahaha
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| Wedding Officer |
| submitted by Linda Stalley 04/09/2008 |
Wonderful book - mouthwatering recipes as well as being compassionate, sexy and educational, and all combined in an excellent story.
Could another book be about the many Italians who came to England as prisoners of war but then stayed, after returning to Italy for brides, and ran prosperous businesses? |
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| The wedding Officer |
| submitted by mary branham 20/06/2008 |
I just saw an ad for The Wedding Officer in Book Pages I picked up at the library. I can't wait to read it. It sounds as if you could almost see and taste the food. Sounds great.
I will have to read all your books. They sound wonderful.
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| What news is there on the films? |
| submitted by David Lovett 15/06/2008 |
What fantastic books you have created. I did not want the stories to end and i am looking forward so much to your third novel promised for later this year.
I read that the film rights have been acquired but I am disappointed that there is no news of casting or of either going into production. Are there any updates on this subject? |
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| Awesome |
| submitted by Robin Steward 04/06/2008 |
Anthony, many many thanks for composing such a beautiful, uplifting, easy-to-read story. The Wedding Officer is a one-in-a-million, and two days after finishing it, I am still with a big goofy smile on my face.
I've been no farther east than Ohio and no farther south than Florida, but in my mind I can now say that I've been to Naples and Rome and all the little communities you wrote of. What a gift you have, to craft plain simple words into scenes your readers can quite actually see and feel in their minds and hearts.
Bravo, and thanks again.
robin |
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| This book should be made into a film!! |
| submitted by Samantha Cockerton 09/05/2008 |
Absolutely loved The Wedding Officer - please please please will someone make this book into a film?? It's just crying out for all that emotion/detail/Italian life to be captured and shared on the big screen. Finger's crossed!!!
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| Complimenti!! |
| submitted by Anna B (100% Italian in UK) 09/04/2008 |
| Glad you wrote this book!!it is probably even better than "the food of love". You have been very accurate in depicting us Italians, particularly lovely BUT stubborn girls like me!!..and dear me, through your book, you made me fly back to my home country, to the blue sea, the sun, you made me savor a soft, juicy mozzarella. Bravo Anthony, hai scritto proprio un bellissimo libro!! keep up the good work...if you need any Italian tips, just let me know! Ciao! |
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| travel once again to Italy |
| submitted by evelyn straub 06/04/2008 |
| We made two trips to Italy 12 & 15 yrs. ago. Would love to return but my husband had to have his leg amputated above the knee 10 yrs. ago and Europe is not exactly handicap friendly. But how we would love to be in Italy again. Reading your two wonderful books brought us close to it. |
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| the wedding officer |
| submitted by ethel hunter 11/11/2007 |
when i picked this book up in the library i was informed by the librarian that it was a terrific book how right she was, I can hardly put it down and wish it could just go on and on so that I didn't have to turnto the last page.
many times I have visited Sorento Area so I can relate to the story
I look forward to reading The Food of Love and do hope it is not long before you have another book out.
Reading the messages that have been sent to you shows that you have a large following of fans so PLEASE dont keep us waiting to long.
ethelaBt52A |
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| message - |
| submitted by lynn cater 07/11/2007 |
This book was chosen by our Book Club, "The Bookies" in St. Petersburg, Florida as the November book to read. It was suggested by the husband of a fomer member that we lost this summer to cancer as a book we would all enjoy reading. He had enjoyed the book & the recipes and highly recommended the book to us. His wife was also English.
OUr review of the book will be on Wednesday, Nov 14th.
Thank you.
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| Inspirational! |
| submitted by sue wilson 10/10/2007 |
After reading "The Food of Love" and absolutely loving it I discovered "The Wedding Officer" It has inspired me to spend the last couple of hours researching the 1944 eruption of Vesuvius. Fascinating story! Thank you for expanding my knowledge. I look forward to your next book, your descriptions of food are magnificent! I grew up in a town in Australia full of Italians, ie Griffith. They transformed the area into one of Australia's best and most cosmopolitan country towns, with a thriving wine and fruit industry. Perhaps you could write a book about them!
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| Loved it. |
| submitted by Carol Wollaston 08/10/2007 |
| I am an avid reader and belong to two book clubs here in Tauranga, New Zealand. Because I review books for the local newspaper, I got to read it first! It was an absolute treat and many people have purchased it because I raved so enthusiastically. We are all looking forward to the next one. |
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| delicious |
| submitted by michee cheng 01/10/2007 |
| i couldn't put the book down. reading this book made me want to hop on a plane, go to italy and try all the food that was mentioned and more. what a wonderful book! |
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| Love love loved this book! |
| submitted by Gina Andress 08/09/2007 |
| Just like everyone else here, once I started reading this book, I could not put it down. I'm of Italian descent and boy did this book awaken the passionate Italian in me. It brought back such wonderful memories of time spent with loved ones in Italy. What great writing. I love the way romance, food, heritage and history were merged into words that were delicious! I look forward to your next projects and I hope the Wedding Officer comes out as a movie soon. |
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| keep writing! |
| submitted by paul bailey 24/08/2007 |
| THE FOOD OF LOVE RANKS AS ONE OF MY ALL TIME FAVOURITE NOVELS, AND I READ A LOT! MY WIFE BOUGHT ME THE WEDDING OFFICER AND IVE BEEN HOLDING ON TO IT, BUILDING UP THE ANTICIPATION! GLAD I MANAGED TO KEEP MY HANDS OFF IT UP TILL NOW AS WE FLY OUT TO TUSCANY NEXT WEEK AND IM LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING INTO IT ON OUR LITTLE FARMHOUSES TERRACE WHILE IVE GOT SOMETHING GOOD GOING ON IN THE KITCHEN! PLEASE KEEP GOING IN A FIELD YOUVE MADE YOUR OWN - ITALY, FOOD AND LOVE. MANY THANKS, PAUL B. |
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| Fantastic read |
| submitted by Giuseppe De Gregorio 21/08/2007 |
I was born in Somerset and both my parents are Italian, my Dad's family is from Sorrento and my Mum's family is from Caiazzo nr Caserta, after reading both your books I felt I was back in Italy tasting the wonderful food, you have really captured the truth about Italian cooking and passion, I eat home made Italian food every day and love it, I look forward to any future books you may be writing.
Thankyou Anthony from Joe |
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| I loved to visit Naples and Amalfi after reading your book |
| submitted by Diana Turner 11/08/2007 |
Thank you Anthony for your books. I am in love with Italy and your books fit in with my mood this period and I enjoyed reading them a lot. "The Wedding Officer" has revealed for me the beauty of that part of Italy I have not visited yet. And of course I long for trying at least some of the dishes described in one of local places.
Thank you again and I look forward to your new books!
Diana |
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| Absolutely Stunning |
| submitted by Kerry McClernon 25/07/2007 |
I adored your first book and I adored and devoured your second book even more. I bought this to take to Tuscany on holiday in August, but just couldn't wait. I picked it up and read the first page and was hooked. Nobody has been fed in this house in 2 days, no washing done and certainly no cleaning, everyone was told to ssshhh whilst I finished it. I am preparing a feast tonight to make it up to them.
Your description of life during WW2 in Italy really brought home to me the deprivations and tragedy everyone suffered. I remember as a child, my academic parents taking my brother and I to the war graves in Britany and Normandy and feeling anger at what a waste.
Thank you so much for a wonderful book, reading it amounted to not just a good read, but an evocative emotional experience.
Kerry McClernon,
Islandmagee, Northern Ireland
P.S. Another favourite book of mine was totally unrecognisable after the film makers finished with it.
Frances Mayes, Under the Tuscan Sun, to say it was dire and nothing to do with the book, let alone follow it, would be an understatement. Beware! :@) |
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| Bursting flavours |
| submitted by Jenny Lee 29/05/2007 |
Cherries and apricots just ripe to the bite, with the sunshine stilled coated on them - this is the flavour still left in my mouth after I finished reading the book.
The only thing that I ask of you, if I can, as a reader, is to keep writing.
If it is going to be adopted for a movie, I think it is going to be a tough job finding the right Priscilla and Pupetra :D |
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| Truly staisfying |
| submitted by Jessica Marshallsay 27/05/2007 |
I thoroughly enjoyed the Food of Love, so when I picked up the Wedding Officer at my local library (attracted by the gorgeous cover) I was delighted to find it was by the same author.
I borrowed it yesterday, and finished it this morning, despite going to a rugby match and a 21st birthday in between!
The romance is beautiful - there is something very reassuring about a man who can write romance so well! - and the insight into life in wartime Italy is fascinating. The characters are believable; I think I fell a little in love with James myself!
And the descriptions of the food are, as in the Food of Love, utterly bewitching. You can almost taste the sweet lemons and the grassy olive oil. I'm completely inspired to get out my Italian cookbooks and look for even more recipes. |
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| great read!! |
| submitted by Rachel Montague-Ebbs 19/05/2007 |
I just can't put this book down
I have 1 chapter left and this has taken me no time at all to read
its a fabulous story of 2 Italian passions - food and love
keep them coming! |
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| great read |
| submitted by claire raw 17/05/2007 |
Hi,
being a lover of all things italian i picked up your book and read it while in sardinia on holiday. i loved the book and lent it to my friend joe who is 82 and served in napples durring the war . he said it was the best book he has ever read and brought back lots of memorys
claire |
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| holiday in Sorrento peninsular |
| submitted by elizabeth townsend 07/05/2007 |
Dear Anthony,
Quite by chance i picked up the book in Sainsburys and thought it would be good holiday reading.My holiday was a walking week based at Vico Equense. What a read- the descriptions of food were marvellous, I was actually in Pompeii and visited the lupinare complete with the murals , Vesuvius dominated the scene. A magnificant read. Must get your other book.
When will you be publishing your next book? |
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| The Wedding Officer |
| submitted by Ros Hannon 19/04/2007 |
Having lived in Naples during the 1980's was intrigued by this book. I'm half way through it and wish work didn't get in the way but it gives me a good excuse to snuggle up at night-time though and return to Naples.
Great read - was going to keep it for my holidays but am soooooo glad I didn't. Love the food, passion and romance, you have so understood the Neapolitans.
Will go off and read The Food of Love after - seems that's got brill reviews too.
Thanks for returning me to a very special part of the world. |
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| Comment |
| submitted by Peter Dedman 13/04/2007 |
| To the other man further down, no, you are not the only man to read "The Wedding Officer" and enjoy it - I have a queue of colleges here in The Hague waiting patiently , passing the book along after each reads it. |
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| better than ever |
| submitted by lesley barker 10/04/2007 |
| even better than last book characters much more likeable made you care about what happened to them. couldn`t put it down it also made me hungry every time i read it!! |
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| The Right Ingredients for a Great Book |
| submitted by Claire Butler 05/04/2007 |
I was recently searching the shelves of my local bookstore looking for a book with all my favourite ingredients - A mixture of World War 2, Italy and of course a generous helping of romance. The Wedding Officer was exactly what I was looking for.
Although I have never been to Naples I was married in Tuscany 3 years ago and have had a love affair with Italy ever since. The vivid description of its people, landscape and amazing food in the book brought back all the memories I have of the place and I felt almost home sick, desperate to go back!
I also fell in love with the story between James and Livia and really felt the connection between them. I only wish I could speak Italian the way that James can!
As a big fan of war stories I was really intrigued by the description of wartime Naples and the people's experiences. I also enjoyed the closeness to history which was obviously researched so carefully.
I only hope that the film planned for next year will do the book justice and that they carefully choose the Italian Livia and English James of the big screen.
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| loved the book |
| submitted by Sharon Sparks 07/03/2007 |
Hi Anthony,
I just finished reading your book "The Wedding Officer." I absolutely loved it. What a beautiful story! I'm an American, an English teacher in Spain, and I love to cook, so it was a perfect story for me to read. I adored the character of Livia. Many congratulations. I will buy anything you write!
Best regards,
Sharon Sparks |
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| The Food Of Love |
| submitted by Susan Inskip 28/02/2007 |
Dear Anthony,
Italy, food and love are all perfect ingredients which, when blended and mixed together according to your own recipe, have produced a delicious concoction. I have just finished reading The Wedding Officer and can't wait for your next novel.
I am a library assistant and, together with many of my colleagues, have recommended The Food Of Love to a great many customers. I will do the same with The Wedding Officer (as soon as the staff heve all finished reading it!). Thank you for two wonderful books! |
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| Further thoughts on the Wedding Officer... |
| submitted by Elizabeth Hunt 12/01/2007 |
A movie is always scary of a well loved book and inevitably there are changes. Keeping the integrity is essential but readers must remember that film is a different medium alogether. Perhaps actress Monica Bertolucci as Livia? There must be other Italian actors as well but not Penelope Cruz although I am a fan of hers she seems to be the actress they choose for any role requiring a southern Euopean woman.
As someone who loves cooking I loved the food but I also loved the historical context (I learnt a lot) and I am eager to read more about Sophia Loren's childhood in Napoli and Anzio. I was in Naples three years ago when my brother, a very proper RAF officer was working for NATO and loved it although most people whom I knew who had been there regarded it as a place to avoid.
Was sorry to finish the book. I realy relished the last few pages. |
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| the film |
| submitted by laura tombs 06/09/2006 |
loved your book, if it does get made into a film i think penelepe cruz should play livia as she is i thought of when livia was first described in the book
look forward to the next book |
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| What a wonderful story!! |
| submitted by Tracy Markham 21/08/2006 |
Dear Anthony,
Food of Love was a hard act to follow but you certainly did a good job - i could not put this down! I laugheed and cried all the way through.You are an excellent story teller.
PLEASE PLEASE do not let those film people ruin your story - i think the film shoud stay true to the language and be told in Italian.I would hate to see James & Livia reduced to drivel by some egocentric hollywood icon. |
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| Am I the only male? |
| submitted by Anthony John 19/08/2006 |
Hi Anthony,
The Food of Love
What a fabulous book to get the gastric juices flowing,and the tear ducts leaking!!. Am I the only soppy male to read this book several times?? (I notice all the other correspondents are ladies)!!
When is The Wedding Officer coming out in paperback? Soon I hope.
Keep up the good work. |
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| When is YOUR cook book coming out??? We are waiting! |
| submitted by Deva deRocher-Barron 08/08/2006 |
| Both books where utterly delightful and totally delicious, yum! My question is WHEN is your cook book coming out??? Deva |
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| A great read! |
| submitted by Anne Marie Gregory 02/08/2006 |
| I've just finished reading The Wedding Officer, after a recommendation from my Mum that I should take it on holiday to Italy with me. It was a fantastic read and I thoroughly enjoyed it - even if I did cry at some bits! Thank you for many hours of pleasant reading. |
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| The books |
| submitted by Rachel Ferrara 31/07/2006 |
Hi
I just wanted to pass on my praise for the The Food of Love and The Wedding Officer.
I spotted The Food of Love in my local library and it was just what I was looking for; food, passion and sex! I absolutely adore Italy and the man of my dreams, now my husband, is from Liguria, so I am lucky enough to have tasted the real Italian food which comes from Mama's garden, or Nonno's olive trees - fantastic!!
The Food of Love contained such passion for food and Bruno's ideas and dreams of cooking for Laura melted my heart when I thought he may never have them come true. I loved trying to picture the meals and imagine how the food would taste.
Then, there was The Wedding Officer, which I had to read once I had read The Food of Love. It was a million miles, in many ways, from The Food of Love, but they are linked by the love of food and I loved the taste of life in Italy many years ago.
Both these books contain such passion and lust, they are exciting to read and they seem to both deliver a message which is very close to my heart; if you are in love, then you feel on top of the world, you want to be a better person and you would fight for that love.
Congratulations, your books are easy to read and get lost in, they stir up emotion as you read them and they describe food deliciously!
Thank you
Rachel |
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| Loved it! |
| submitted by Claire Cobb 20/07/2006 |
| My new husband and I honeymooned last October in Sorrento, tho' unfortunately we didn't make it to Naples ;-) but a lot of the food Anthony described rang true. We love Italian food, my husband's aunt lives in Lazio (Frosinone) and when my husband's mother died some years ago she taught him how to cook with an italian slant. We also love Italy, tho' we've only been to Campania and Lazio so far. The Italians are bonkers, but loveable too. So much of Anthony's writing evoked such happy memories for me. We plan to return to the Amalfi Coast for our fifth year wedding anniversary, but this time, we'll take that ferry to Naples!! |
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| Wonderful book |
| submitted by Janey Cumming 01/07/2006 |
| I finished reading The Wedding Officer today and just wanted to say what an absolutely delicious read it was. A beautiful book which I thoroughly enjoyed. Thank you! |
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| A Great Read |
| submitted by Laurina Dolzan 23/06/2006 |
| I enjoyed the book immensely, I laughed ... I cried ... It made me feel as though I was actually in Italy and could taste the amazing textures and smell the fragrances. Being part of an Italian family, I could relate to the personalities depicted in the story. I now have a sudden urge to get on a plane!!! |
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| Love your book |
| submitted by Patama Intrarakha 15/06/2006 |
| I just finished reading The Wedding Officer, and I must say that I immensely enjoyed the book from start to finish. Haven't read your first one though, and I'm not sure if I could find a copy here in Bangkok (where I live). The Italian dishes (and the characters) described in the book really made me drool. Thanks for such delicious work!!! |
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| Excellent Book ! |
| submitted by Susanne Victor 30/05/2006 |
Hi
I just wantd to say how much I enjoyed your second novel.
I just could not put it away. It was a very sad day when I finished reading the book.
Just want to go to Naples now, and eat italian food till I pop.
Looking forward to the next one !
Would make an excellent movie !
Thanks again
Best regards
Susanne |
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| The Wedding Officer |
| submitted by Emma Vincent 04/05/2006 |
The problem with writing an amazing first novel is how you follow it!
I think The Wedding Officer was a wise and fabulous second novel. This one may not be full of delicious recipes that make you want to jump on a plane to Italia, fall in love and race scooters through narrow street, but I feel this book was not only a beautiful love story but also educating. The historic content gave the book a real truth and strength to Capella’s writing. Yet it still had a similar feel with its intoxicating descriptions, both of food and love.
I look forward to book three!
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| barbecued asparagus |
| submitted by Natasha Taylor 02/05/2006 |
Dear Anthony,
Thank you so much for another wonderful novel. I didn't think I'd enjoy any book as much as I did The Food of Love, but The Wedding Officer was just completely delicious.
This simple spring dish is adapted from a recipe by Valentina Harris, in 'Recipes from an Italian Terrace'. You brush asparagus spears with oil and blacken them on a barbecue (it may help to part-cook them first). Meanwhile, make some parsley pesto by whizzing 3 garlic cloves, 100ml of walnut oil, a large bunch of parsley and 3 tbsp parmesan in a food processor. Pour the suace over the asparagus just before serving.
Natasha
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