By Andrew Sean Greer
Genre: Humorous Literary Fiction / Coming-of-Age (Bildungsroman) / Farce
Audio Length: ~8–9 hours
Narrated by: Edoardo Ballerini (One of the industry’s top narrators, especially renowned for his flawless Italian accents and dry comedic pacing)
📖 No-Spoiler Synopsis
Broke, directionless, and fresh out of an undistinguished undergraduate career, our unnamed young narrator takes an ambiguously defined job in the Italian countryside. Trained as an archivist, he believes he has been hired to systematically catalog the art and antiquities inside a beautiful, crumbling Tuscan mansion.
Instead, he discovers his true title is “adjutant” to Lisabetta—known to all as Coco—a fiercely independent, ninety-two-year-old Baronessa of immense local flair. Rather than handling quiet historical documents, his actual daily logistics involve ridding the villa of a troublesome marten, locating a prehistoric septic system, and managing an eccentric carousel of houseguests ranging from gin-swilling princesses to bohemian painters. When Coco loses someone close to her, the narrator becomes an unwitting accomplice in her grand final caper: a madcap mission to track down the long-lost love of her life before time runs out.
🌟 Reason to Read: The “Technical” Appeal
- A Masterclass in Vocal Performance: Edoardo Ballerini reading an Italian-set farce is the audiobook equivalent of a premium lens setup. His precise handling of regional accents, eccentric characters, and deadpan comedic timing elevates the written text into a vibrant auditory performance.
- Humor Built on Observation: Greer (who won the Pulitzer Prize for Less) excels at a specific style of sophisticated, warm-hearted comedy. The humor doesn’t rely on cheap gags; it is built entirely on sharp descriptions of human foibles, local wildlife, and the sheer absurdity of trying to enforce order onto chaos.
- The Atmospheric Pivot: It acts as a perfect structural opposite to the grit you’ve been reading. It is a literal love letter to Italy, filled with golden sunlight, olive groves, and deep reflections on youth and aging.
⭐ Professional Reviews
- Kirkus Reviews:“Part caper, part coming-of-age story, Greer’s latest comic examination of life entertains and edifies—not an easy balancing act… Told in Greer’s trademark style of observational humor, keen descriptions, and affectionate exposition of his characters’ foibles. A delightful distraction from the mundane.”
- Library Journal (Starred Review):“Delightful… A charming Italian sojourn in which nothing is precisely what it seems. Disguised as a frothy, farcical romp, Greer’s novel is a heartfelt and poignant tribute to the mysterious process of growing up.”