When I first picked up, Cat on a Hot Tiled Roof, I was amused by the title more than anything else, and turned it over and read the premiss, and promptly bought it. I like travel writing a lot, but most of this genre these days, is almost always about, chucking it all in and buying a ruin and all the ups and downs of doing it up, and crazy/funny situations and enormous frustrations. But, it's all worth it in the end.
This book is certainly not that! While it does share some aspects, it is something original and magical.
This book is so refreshing in that, while, it does chart the experiences, of living and fitting into a small, Spanish, community,( and very funnily so) it also balances it with, the real world, working, maintaining connections with one's previous life, all sorts of major life decisions, as well as, talking frogs, mysterious disappearing sheep, handsome postmen, crazy Americans, and Londoners, along side some genuine and hilarious characters, whom I won't say anything about, just to get you go buy your own copy! The people she meets and becomes friends with seem real, not exaggerated, and the people she works in London with,(and for) well, as I said-read the book.
Her writing is first rate, witty, and engaging.She makes you really like her, and her sense of humour, is laugh out, while, very tongue in cheek at other times, a nice balance. There are poignant stories too, and it tugs at your heart.
Anna's descriptions of Soller, and of the island of mallorca, are beautiful written, so, much, so you can almost smell the oleander and jasmin ,and feel the grandure of the shadowy Tramuntana Mountains. She also, tells you about the traditional food and festivals in such a way, you want to join in and try just about everything. The Pa amb oli, and the tomatiga de ramellet, had me drooling.
The minute I finished, Cat on a Hot Tiled Roof, I went out to buy her first book, A Lizard in my Luggage, to see how it all began.Unfortunately my one and only bookstore, didn't have in...but they did have her third book, Goats from a Small island. So, I bought it. And it was even better!
I am now in possession of the first book (thank you Amazon), and I can honestly say, even if you read them out of order, they are fantastic.
So, good in fact, my husband and I are going to Mallorca. I have been reading parts of her books out loud, so much to him, laughing, giggling, sighing, dropping hints, talking about the food,the countryside, the sea, he succumbed, and is now as enthusiastic about her books and the Island of Mallorca, as I have become.
Simply,read them , you'll love them.