A Midlife Love Affair with Italy, One Mangled Verb at a Time

Ever wondered what happens when you combine a middle-aged New Yorker, an Italian for Beginners' class, and an enduring dream of La Dolce Vita?

At fifty-five, Michael Francis finally decides to learn Italian.

Armed with nothing more than optimism and a dictionary, he joins a Lifelong Learning Institute in Brooklyn, where conjugating verbs becomes a comedy of errors, and every pronunciation is a potential catastrophe.

But classroom chaos is just the beginning as Michael takes his newfound language skills to Italy, where he navigates ancient cobblestone streets, eccentric personalities, and no end of cultural mishaps.

From terrifying mountain bus journeys to eating street food in maze-like alleys, his exploits prove that sometimes the best encounters come from getting hopelessly lost in translation.

In this delightful and witty memoir, you will:

Cringe at Michael's spectacular schoolboy errors. Meet an unforgettable cast of characters, from his patient (or not-so-patient) Italian teachers to the colorful locals who become unwitting language partners. Experience the joy, frustration, and triumph of learning a new language later in life. Discover Italy through fresh eyes, complete with all the magical moments of misfortune that make travel so memorable.

Positively Pazzo is a heart-warming reminder that it is never too late to learn a new language, even if you stumble over every verb tense and pronoun.

Perfect for fans of Under the Tuscan Sun and A Year in Provence, this charming tale proves that the best souvenir is the story you bring home.

Whether you are learning Italian, have a passion for Italy, or enjoy a good laugh at life's unexpected turns, Michael's journey will inspire you to chase your dreams - no matter how unrealistic they may seem.

Pick up a copy of Positively Pazzo today and join Michael on an adventure that is equal parts humor and heart, demonstrating that sometimes the best way to find yourself is to get completely and utterly immersed in another world.