By Andrew Sean Greer
Narrated by: Edoardo Ballerini
July 1, 2026
Genre: Humorous Literary Fiction, Farce, Modern Bildungsroman
Audio Length: 8 hours, 42 minutes
đź“– The Blueprint (No-Spoiler Synopsis)
Fresh out of an uninspired undergraduate career and utterly broke, an unnamed young archivist takes a seemingly quiet job in the Italian countryside. His directive appears simple: systematically catalog the historical artifacts inside a crumbling, beautiful Tuscan estate.
Upon arrival, however, the orderly world of archiving is instantly replaced by beautiful chaos. He discovers his true role is “adjutant” to Lisabetta—universally known as “Coco”—a fierce, ninety-two-year-old Baronessa who rules her hillside with immense local flair. Instead of handling pristine documents, his daily logistics shift to managing an eccentric circus of houseguests, tracking down a prehistoric septic system, and ridding the villa of a troublesome marten. When a sudden loss upends Coco’s world, the narrator becomes the ultimate accomplice in her grand final caper: a madcap, sun-drenched mission across Italy to find the long-lost love of her life before time runs out.
🌟 Why to Read: The “Observer’s” Highlights
- Humor Built on Sharp Observation: Andrew Sean Greer (Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Less) handles comedy with immense sophistication. The humor here does not rely on cheap, low-effort gags; it is built entirely on the clinical, affectionate dissection of human eccentricities and the sheer absurdity of trying to impose order onto life’s natural chaos.
- The Atmospheric Pivot: This narrative acts as a brilliant physical counterweight to heavy historical or brutal landscapes. It is a literal love letter to the Tuscan countryside, painted with golden sunlight, olive groves, and deep, quiet reflections on youth, aging, and the passage of time.
- Zero Sentimentality: Despite dealing with the heavy realities of a ninety-two-year-old facing the twilight of her life, Greer completely avoids the trap of an unearned “pity party.” The tone remains sharp, civilized, and relentlessly witty throughout.
🎙️ Audio Technical Note
This title demands to be experienced as an audiobook. Edoardo Ballerini delivers a masterclass in vocal performance that acts like a premium camera lens on the prose. His flawless handling of regional Italian accents, rhythmic comedic pauses, and deadpan delivery elevates a fantastic written script into an immersive, multi-layered auditory performance. He makes the miles fly by and will have you laughing out loud on more than one occasion.