Michael Tucker (1) (1945–)

I like Tucker’s writing. I really enjoyed [book:Living in a Foreign Language|1169677] where he chronicled the process he and wife Jill Eikenberry went through buying a house in Italy. He has a lovely pace to his writing and a sort of self-deprecating humor that is just right, somewhat reminiscent of Peter Mayle. So I was looking forward to how he would deal with the issue of aging parents and how families juggle responsibilities and careers to accommodate the needs of various family show more members.

This is an issue that I (and many of my friends) struggle with. How to help Mom or Dad when you live and work half a continent away? When do we step in and take over financial decisions? When do we take away the car? Hire caregivers? Move our parent(s) into assisted living or a nursing home or a memory care unit (i.e. Alzheimer’s ward)? How do we handle how we feel having to do all these things?

Tucker does touch on these issues, but he also spends a good deal of the book on his life “away” from the issues, and focused on food. (And his way of writing about food is nothing short of delicious!) Perhaps it was because the aging parent in this case is his wife’s mother and not his, but there was a certain distance from the issues in the book that left me … hungry and vaguely dissatisfied. Perhaps it was just that the subject matter doesn’t lend itself to his style of writing. I was happy for him that the situation worked out as it did, but it didn’t completely resonate with me. show less

"Living in a Foreign Language" is a memoir by Michael Tucker. He and his wife, Jill Eikenberry, bought a small "rustico" in Umbria. It is their story...not really of restoring the place...but more of their experiences as they are
drawn more and more to living in Italy and the beautiful story of their personal relationship. She is a cancer survivor. Their journey with her illness was very candid and touching. The descriptions of the food and wine made me salivate! I enjoyed it very much and show more it made me want to buy
property in Italy! show less

3.5 stars
Wonderful memoir of food, wine, and love in Italy. Tucker writes in a style that is reminiscent of Peter Mayle ... but not quite as funny, and with much more focus on FOOD.

What was with this ending? Did M. Tucker have to rush this off to print to get some more money? These people seem really insular and selfish. "Our little orphan" is so condescending. Caroline was lucky to get out when she did. I liked the food descriptions but didn't like Mike and Jill. I wouldn't have a meal with them.