Amarcord: Marcella Remembers Paperback – Illustrated, 6 Oct. 2009

I've long been a fan of Marcella Hazan's books. Her recipes are easy to follow and her 'no nonsense' approach is refreshing compared to many of the more recent cookery writers. Following her recent death, I found this book and decided to read about her life. Marcella's husband, Victor, was her translator as she had never felt comfortable using English, it being her second language. This couple obviously had an amazing rapport, which shines through in this book. The relationship between the couple is drawn beautifully well.I found the early chapters about Marcella's life in Italy during the thirties,forties and fifties the most interesting, though the circumstances leading up to her becoming a cookery writer were also very interesting and amusing. The middle part of the book that concentrates on her life as a writer and teacher of Italian cooking were a little long-winded and I got a bit bored with the endless meetings with publishers and designers. She had some interesting fans and sections about her encounters with Danny Kaye and Sir Norman Foster are very funny.Marcella had a remarkable life and I would recommend this book to anyone who has used her books and loves them as I do, in order to get an insight into the woman and her career.

Book came in perfect condition and sooner than expected

Uma delicia de leitura!

Like her cookbooks this book is a most charming biography. The cookbook of Marcella's life. It gives lots of background information. And, like in her recipes, her intelligence, her humour and principles won't let you down. For all Marcella fans a MUST have!

The candid memoirs of the grande dame of Italian cuisine! I didn't give it 5 stars (although I'd give her cookbooks that) because she did get rather bitter about some things and it sometimes got uncomfortable to read. However that's the unvarnished truth she lays out here, in all it's unflinching reality. When she talks about food, you know this is a person who knows how to cook (and eat)!

Amarcord is the title of this book and a very sentimental,as memories must be,film by Fellini.Someone told that Fellini in Italy didn't make such a success because he wrote/filmed the italian reality,noboby paid attention to him.being a foreigner in NYC,speaking zero english,without anyone around but her belived husband who used to work every day but sundays...Today things could be easier.her remarks are warm,cute,intelligent.I don't understand when people try to make comparison.something like looking the youngest kid and telling him''you have to do it like your brother'.MsHazan teaches,she shows how to do,different from others who sell,she teaches.I compare,ok.she describes the pin her little grandmother had to straight the pasta.others sell:it's only $50!I loved her cooking books and I am enchanted at page 141,the real middle of Amarcord.go get your copy.Grazie,Marcella!