Villa Coco

Set in Italy, Villa Coco by Andrew Sean Greer is the story of a young American who recently completed a course in archives and records management and takes on the job of recording a collection of objects and papers kept in a villa. At least that is what he thinks his project is. Instead he finds himself assisting a ninety-two year old lady in a variety of tasks in her house and garden. She also tells him to learn Italian.

During the novel the reader meets an array of family members and friends of the Baronessa and gradually learns stories about her life and the reasons for her sometimes bizarre decisions made from time to time.  The young man becomes the assistant to the Baonessa in a villa in need of repair and encounters a parade of often eccentric characters. He is eventually allowed to start working on the task he is employed to undertake but this work is continually interrupted with the need to work in the garden, help with the olive harvest and assist a neighbour make wine.

The story builds slowly and is revealed through descriptions of the house and the neighbouring environment as well as the observations of the Baronessa and her relationships, past and present. The young man learns that his employer has a mission she is determined to accomplish and he will learn of his proposed involvement all in good time. Meanwhile the young man begins to learn more about himself and to evaluate the path that his life may take.

Villa Coco is a novel to just relax and enjoy reading, allowing the story to reveal itself at its own pace. It is a story of love and compassion often told with a quiet humour as the Baronessa is determined to complete her planned task.