my take: Oooh, this is a lovely little book. Little in your hand, but big in your experience.

This historical fiction is a delightful wander through Italian woods and gardens, a lakeside cottage and a villa inhabited by an interesting cast of characters. A bit of intrigue, a bit of magic, a bit of invention. A bit of love and lust.

I thought the book was bold in a quiet way. Something completely different from anything I’ve read and for me a tremendous new author to follow. I very much enjoyed this small novel based on the creation of the first typewriter.

my source: Festival of Faith and Writing

(Okay, I have to admit I did gush a little to Carey Wallace at the FFW … and told her I’d blogged about her book and then realized I’d only drafted a post … not actually posted. There are about a million things to like about her … and number one is she grew up in Michigan. I really hope she’s working on another novel.)

my verdict: yes! read this.