Monday, April 5, 2010

An Osteria in Chianti-

“Ultimo is Chianti.” The truth of these words—and the epic, century-long existence of one inimitable Ultimo Gori—is the essence of An Osteria In Chianti, Dario Castagno’s fourth book. A native “Chiantigiano” himself, Castagno delves into the history and character of Tuscany through Ultimo’s extraordinary arc, which begins with his 1908 birth, the tenth child of a sharecropping family eking out a frugal existence in the rock-strewn fields of Chianti Senese. When Dario initially meets Ultimo in 1983—after the then-septuagenarian tosses his Vespa into a tree as if it were a sack of wild mushrooms—it is by chance. But the 25-year friendship that followed was clearly meant to be, in the most profound of ways.

Shortly after first encountering Ultimo, Dario also crosses paths with a mysterious and elegant gentleman in a bar. Overhearing Dario’s tale of the rough-hewn Vespa-hurler, the enigmatic stranger gives him an important envelope to deliver back to Ultimo. He then launches into a spellbinding recantation of Ultimo’s life, his own place in it—and the evolution of Chianti itself. Tales of pre-modern Tuscany, tragically lost family members, unrequited love, friends humble and noble alike, World War II, swapped identity, imprisonment, and redemption cascade together. They are inter-cut with episodes from Dario’s deepening companionship with Ultimo. Ending with glimpses into a realm of magic, and a most fitting continuation of Ultimo’s legacy, An Osteria In Chianti takes the reader on an irresistible journey that—spiritually and historically—is Chianti.

6 comments:

Michelle | Bleeding Espresso said...

Didn't realize you were blogging, Dario; will add your link to my blog's link page now. Congrats on the new book!

Dario Castagno said...

Ciao, I'm not a keen blogger but when I have something new I feel obliged to update.

Maria_G said...

Hi Dario
I was at Borders (book store) here in Australia today, and asked about your latest book.
Did not seem to come up on the PC when they did a search.
Can you let me know when we might get copies over this side of the world. Ciao Maria

Dario Castagno said...

Geez, I missed your post Maria...to be honest my books were a commercial flop in Australia so I doubt that any of my new books will be published there any longer

Unknown said...

Ciao,
Circa 2 settimane fa ho scoperto i suoi libri, ametto che mi piacciono molto...
Con "Osteria in Chianti" ho potuto vedere Toscana che non conoscevo prima. Non pensavo che la vita in questa regione era cosi dura...oggi e' molto cambiata - famosa e piena di gente.
Leggendo rifettevo se Ultimo esisteva da vero? o e' solo un protagonista inventato che unisce storie delle diverse persone.

Saluti dalla Polonia
Renata

Unknown said...

Ciao,
Circa 2 settimane fa ho scoperto i suoi libri, ametto che mi piacciono molto...
Con "Osteria in Chianti" ho potuto vedere Toscana che non conoscevo prima. Non pensavo che la vita in questa regione era cosi dura...oggi e' molto cambiata - famosa e piena di gente.
Leggendo rifettevo se Ultimo esisteva da vero? o e' solo un protagonista inventato che unisce storie delle diverse persone.

Saluti dalla Polonia
Renata

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