The Enchantress of Florence, by Salman Rushdie
I promise that not all of my reviews will be sad, but since I am just beginning this project I feel compelled to start with the reviews that might explain what the purpose of this entire site is.
Right before my dad passed away, my mom and I booked a trip to Italy. I had wanted to go to Italy my entire life. I had a countdown on my phone and remember thinking “I have to read all the books I can so everything has context when I see it!”
My dad passed away June 26, 2023. I remember bits and pieces of that week, but most of it is a blur. What I do remember is that I found a note on his phone that said “Italy Books for Britt” and listed 15 books. A couple days after he passed away I remember just wanting to be alone. I walked to Starbucks and wandered into the bookstore my dad and I loved so much. It isn’t a book superstore, it’s a little independent shop whose employees are passionate and helpful.
I opened up the note from my dad and started walking around looking for some of the books. I guess I thought it would make me feel better. I started bawling. I was hiding my face in the shelves, embarrassed, when an employee came over and asked me if she could help me. I said “I am looking for these books” through my tears and explained what the significance was in that moment. She immediately started looking for them, and even asked another man, Tim, who worked there to help. After finding a few of them Tim said “I have a beautiful SIGNED copy of The Enchantress of Florence at home that I would love to give you. Give me your email and I will find it and it’s yours.” I was so touched and in that moment it was the kindest thing he could have done.
He sent me an email telling me he had found it. He told me the story of when he got it and said “Call me crazy, but I sometimes have this quirky sense that certain objects have proper homes. After hearing you talk about your dad, I’d like this book to have a home with you. I know it’s just a book. I’m not that crazy…”
But it wasn’t just a book. He probably has no idea how much this gesture meant to me.
It’s a GORGEOUS book, but it’s also very good. It captures all of the (nonromantic) romance that Florence exudes, and it will always be precious to me.