Katherine Wilson (1)

If memoir about Italian mother-in-laws isn't a specific genre, based on emigre Katherine Wilson's "Only in Naples", it should be. Wilson might think she's written a loving ode to her courtship and marriage to Salvo. Or conducted a humorous examination of cultural differences between her privileged upbringing as an heir to the Wilson sporting goods fortune and the equally rarified existence of Salvo and his family. But, by any measure, the true heroine is Salvo's mamma. Without Rafaella's show more phenomenal cooking, folk wisdom, gentle humor, elegant and poised demeanor, and military-sharp organizational skills, an entire family would implode. She can whip up an amazing Sartu du Riso without batting an eye. Run her home with precision and good taste. Provide (sometimes) helpful child rearing advice from Naples all the way to Salvo and Katherine in Rome. She knows the best places to buy fresh seafood and is willing to spend 45 minutes to bargain the best price. All the while, beautifully coiffed and dressed.

Katherine's love, admiration, and, yes, frustration for her mother-in-law are infectious. Perhaps you'll come to the book for the recipes (helpfully provided at the end). Perhaps you'll be drawn in about Katherine's college internship at the American consulate in Naples and her introduction to Italian life. But you will stay to enjoy the warm glow of Nonna Rafaella's personality. Having recently lost my own Italian mother-in-law, I was filled with happy memories - so much rang true. A fun, light romp in Napoli and Rafaella's kitchen! show less

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of the book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

I had a hard time with "Only In Naples". The author is engaging, and her story was fascinating - at first. But midway through, I found myself simply bored, and often skimmed each page, wondering when it would pick up again. And then, all of a sudden, it ended. The ending is incredibly abrupt and left me feeling a bit shocked. "That's it? I asked myself. "That's how you're show more going to end, with ... nothing?"

I was also sad that there was so much language (and a couple somewhat passionate moments between her and Salva). All these nice scenes about faith and even a few spiritual nuggets - and then, all of a sudden, f-bombs everywhere I turned. It was very jarring to me.

I personally try to avoid language (and more so, passionate moments) and it would have been nice to know that was there prior to picking it up. I would revisit the book for the recipes, but not for the actual story. A bummer. show less

I love this book! I was given a free copy from Library Thing, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading every page. Katherine embarks on a supposed three-month adventure to Italy. She meets her future husband, mother-in-law and the rest of her in-laws, and she learns how vastly different American culture is from Italian - and how the culture in Naples is entirely different from the rest of Italy. I found my mouth water at the recipes described (and they are printed in the back of the book!); I show more laughed out loud at her very funny mistakes and assumptions, and I also found myself envious of the adventure Katherine has lived. A fun, easy, light summer read, but also full of wisdom and la dolce vita. show less

This is a nice, quick read by a woman who went to Naples for a post-college internship and ended up falling in love (with the region and a native) and is currently raising her family in Italy.

Katherine Wilson was raised by a wealthy family, and part of her family's traditions include traveling overseas after college. Katherine chose Naples, a country she had little, if any, knowledge of. Once she got settled into her internship at the American Embassy there, it was recommended she meet up show more with a prominent family's son and go on a blind date. He shows up late and takes her for their date to his mother's home so she can cook for them and so Katherine can meet the family. Rafaella, the matriarch of this family, is beautiful, kind, caring and above all: a Neopolitan mamma. Both her grown son and daughter still live at home and enjoy their mother's cooking morning, noon and night. Rafaella welcomes American Katherine into her home and begins teaching her how to cook some fantastic and traditional meals.

Through the course of Katherine spending so much time she and Rafaella's son Salvatore fall in love, enjoy a long courtship, and finally marry. After Katherine's internship is finished she is not done with Naples nor Salvatore and she decides to take on jobs teaching English, acting and doing voice overs for movies and TV shows. She is able to stay in Italy and eventually Salvatore graduates college and gets a job in Rome, where they end up moving. They marry, have two kids and live happily ever after, all due to Rafaella's welcoming embrace. Or so the book makes it seem. This is truly a love letter from the author to her mother-in-law, which is lovely and refreshing, written in a breezy and entertaining manner. I really enjoyed reading this book and am glad I won a copy via LibraryThing. show less