Angry spaghetti, music, secrets, courage and, of course, chillies…
I’m so grateful to all of you who’ve shown such love for, The Proxy Bride, thank you, grazie di cuore. ❤️
It was an honour to write about these resilient, spirited women.
Buona giornata a tutti! 😊🌶️🍝
Category Archives: books + writing
Epiphany Eve… ✨
Tonight is Epiphany Eve and in Italy many children will be waiting to see what they receive from La Befana, ‘the witch’ – sweets if they’ve been good, coal if they’ve been naughty. As I wrote in, Mezza Italiana, I was chosen as La Befana for my school play, being ‘an Italian kid’, and as you can see from the first photo, I wasn’t too thrilled about it! 😄 Although, I’d warmed up to the idea by the second photo when I got to climb through a window. (As you can also see, being summer, I’m already a bit burnt from swimming at the local pool!)
“In primary school, the class put on an end of year play. ‘This year we’re doing ‘Christmas Around the World’ to show how different countries celebrate Christmas,’ the teacher announced, eyes shining. As the teacher gave out the parts I chewed my nails praying that what I suspected was about to happen didn’t. ‘And in Italy…’ the teacher declared almost bursting with smiles, ‘…they don’t have Santa Claus, they have a woman.’ Comments and guffaws erupted from the class about it being strange. ‘She’s called Befana who is a bit like a witch bringing lumps of coal to the naughty children and sweets to the good. The part of Befana has been given to… Zoë.’ I didn’t know too many swearwords at that age but I remember the couple I did know popping into my mind, bloody shit.” …from Mezza Italiana.
The thing is, looking back, I’m thrilled that I got picked to play, La Befana and am so glad I did. I wish I could say to the little girl in the first photo, don’t worry, it’s all going to be okay, you don’t need to hide your migrant heritage, one day you’ll even write about it (though of course, I would’ve been horrified at the thought back then!) I guess epiphanies come in all shapes and forms and at different times. Buona Epifania! Auguri della Befana! 🖤 Zoë xx
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a chance discovery…
Thank you for all your kindnesses after my last post. I’ve now passed the halfway mark of my six-week recovery since I got home from hospital after the surgery and while some days have had challenges, I’m going pretty well so far.
The one other time I’ve had a six-recovery was when I was seven and broke my arm. It was the Christmas holidays and we’d not long arrived to stay at the beach for a couple of weeks. It’s funny but just the other day, I was looking through the bookcase for something to read and by chance saw this Enid Blyton book. (I seem to hold onto everything!) but no doubt in this case because Nanna Francesca had written in it.
After I’d broken my arm, she’d sent it to me with this sweet message in Italian wishing me good health and to see me soon, ‘bambina’, from nonna and nonno. Seeing now how I’d diligently marked off each story in the contents as I read them, I have to laugh. (I also notice the pages are now yellowed with age!)
From the holiday, we posted this photo of me back to Nanna Francesca and Nonno Anni along with a little letter to say thank you. Nanna had also sent me the hat I’m wearing in the photo – on it are the words, ‘Stanthorpe Apple and Grape Harvest Festival’. 😘
I don’t know what made me notice this book that I haven’t looked at for years and yet there’s something reassuring in seeing Nanna Francesca’s words again. A lovely little bit of serendipity. Auguri a tutti di buona salute. 💛 Zoë xx
PS I recall being upset I’d broken my right arm, not my left, and couldn’t hold a pen to write my stories. I also remember being devastated at not being able to go to the beach so Mum taped a plastic garbage bag around my plaster cast so I could swim in the sea. 😄
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Four generations, 100 years and one significant change…
Four generations of women in my family, 100 years and one significant change…
In southern Italy’s turn-of-the-century poverty, and as an eldest girl needed to help at home, my Bisnonna Cesca was denied school and being able to read and write. While Great-Granny Maddalena was so proud to get two or so years of school in this era when educating poorer people was discouraged, especially girls. (Granny said if she’d had a daughter, she’d have named her, Flavia, after her schoolteacher, which perhaps says a lot.)
By the 1930s, both my grandmother’s, Francesca and Lorna, got to high school in Australia but again were persuaded to leave early to work – a few years after, Nanna Francesca was also married at 17, a mother by 19. And while Mum graduated from Teachers’ College in the 1960s, she could only work until she got married and then was required to resign (unlike my father, also a high school teacher). She also didn’t get to finish her university studies as he did.
Perhaps that’s why, when I completed high school and considered taking a break from study, it was Mum who really urged me to take up the place I’d been offered at university. Being young, (I was sixteen, having been put up a grade – not something I’d recommend in hindsight!), at the time I didn’t fully appreciate the opportunity I had. Or then how significant it was to be the first female from either side of my family to graduate from university, to be in an era that I could do so.
In retrospect, it can’t be only by chance that in a century and four generations, women in my family have gone from being unable to read and write to writing books. And so, on today’s 10th anniversary of the UN’s International Day of the Girl, I’d say that it’s so important to keep supporting and encouraging girls to learn – a basic human right. It can truly change lives. Today, 130+ million girls are missing out on going to school. Whether in places like South Sudan, Afghanistan or in migrant and indigenous communities in ‘richer, peaceful’ countries. Financial hardship, early marriage, trauma, cultural barriers and favouring of boys being educated still among the main reasons. Looking back at the generations of women before me, knowing the drive, aptitude and potential they each showed, like so many women of their eras, I consider how much more they might’ve been able to do had they had the chance, and what they may have decided to do in their lives if they’d had the choice. Zoë x
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The Proxy Bride book launch…
Thank you all of you who came along to join me last night in toasting the women who were proxy brides! And also those who wanted to be there and sent me the loveliest messages. I’ve been told more than a hundred turned up to celebrate and am still feeling amazed and overwhelmed to be honest! I wish I could’ve chatted to each of you for longer – it was such a busy night! And I’m stunned to learn the books all sold out, I’m sorry if you missed out on a copy on the night. More people were there than the bookshop expected!
Thanks to those who sent me some photos. I’m told it was difficult to capture everyone who came along but some of you may find yourselves pictured here. I can’t bear seeing myself in photos so I empathise if anyone else feels the same! I also included the beautiful flowers from my husband, Roger and also my publisher, Rachael Donovan as the bunches were both so stunning and unexpected.
I hope the food was delicious (I didn’t get a moment to grab a morsel but I’m happy to hear it disappeared so it must’ve been good!) and the bar was almost drunk dry so I’m hoping too that means everyone had a wonderful time. I heard one fellow singing Volare along with Livio playing the piano accordion at one stage and like the lyrics to that song, the night seemed to really fly! Thanks again for all your warmth and support for the books. Zoe 💕 xx
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Book Week reception at Government House
Last night I found myself at Government House attending a cocktail reception along with other authors and dignitaries invited by the Governor of Queensland, Dr Jeanette Young AC PSM in celebration of Book Week 2022. Her Excellency gave a warm speech about books and the importance of literacy – something close to my heart knowing recent generations of women and men in my own family were denied schooling due to being poor and other circumstances, especially the girls. Every day when I sit at my desk to write, I’m conscious of how fortunate I am to do what I love and to have had the opportunity of school and university, that at times when I was young, I took for granted regrettably, as I’m so grateful for it now.
It was a lovely event and I can happily say that Her Excellency approached me for a personal chat, especially about, Joe’s Fruit Shop and Milk Bar, and I thanked her for her difficult work during the pandemic, for which she was very modest. As well, it was really great to meet and chat to other authors from all different genres and backgrounds.
Unfortunately there were no photos allowed inside Government House but Roger took this one of me out front before we all went in. I was trying to recall the spot where Nonno Anni stood outside Government House in 1977 when he received a British Empire Medal for help and support to the migrant community. I didn’t quite get the exact spot but I have to laugh at the two photos, as obviously we were both battling bright sun and it was breezy – not the greatest shot for either of us (Nanna Francesca even got the camera strap in his! – smiling). The funny thing is, by chance it just happens to be 45 years since Nonno Anni received that honour at Government House, so it’s a nice serendipity to be there on the anniversary of it.
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Hidden history honoured…
A memorial stone and plaque are now in place at the site of the secret internment camp at Western Creek. It’s been quite a twisting trail to get to this point – from writing about my grandfather being an internee there in Joe’s Fruit Shop and Milk Bar, after years of research and almost a detective hunt in putting together the information and many brick walls from authorities, some refusing to believe the camp that detained hundreds of innocent men during WW2 even existed (despite photographs and other clues).
Then there was the unexpected letter I received from Cecil Gibson, a Millmerran local who’d read my book, and who, together with other members of the Millmerran Museum and Historical Society, sought to also honour this, until then, mostly unknown local history. As I said, it’s been a twisting trail, especially in pinpointing the exact site, uncovering remnants of decades old testimony and even discovering the odd, old WW2 land mine left behind in the area (since cleared)!
I’m so pleased this has all come about, most of all for the young men interned, the army guards who treated them with respect and the women and children left to fend for themselves, many on farms, who did it tough in the absence of their men and workers.
Original post… Hidden history at Western Creek
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Book news and the first day of spring…
New season, new month and very happy to say… a new book on the way! I’ve recently signed a contract with HQ Fiction – HarperCollins for book three. It’s very early news but so many of you over the years have asked with such warmth and kindness when the next book is coming, I wanted to share this with you straight away.
One unexpected catch, it will be more than a year or longer until it is in print due to delays like covid. Still, I’m so grateful to be getting published in such times and am now working on book four. It’s too soon to reveal much more just yet, including the title, but I will do so as soon as I’m able to.
Most of all, I wanted to thank you for your encouragement and thoughtful words over the years between books. It really does keep me going throughout the lengthy writing process. I can’t wait to share this new book with you! Zoe xx 💛🌿
(I took this photo last summer but a bee in flight and the happiness of yellow flowers seemed perfect to celebrate the first day of spring.)
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Mezza Italiana on ABC Nightlife…
From this week until early January, ABC Nightlife in Australia is broadcasting the Mezza Italiana audiobook read by Marcella Russo (pictured). This is one for the night owls as it may not be on until around midnight, although I’m told apparently it will have quite a large audience of half-a-million nationally! Many thanks to Bolinda audio, ABC Books and Nightlife. So lovely to think Mezza is still out there reaching people. xx
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Reading aloud…
My Dad shared a sweet story with me today… in the Italian class he teaches, a student told him they’ve lent my book to a friend and each night the husband is reading it aloud to his wife. What a lovely thought! I felt really touched to hear this. (And in a curious twist, today happens to be “Read Aloud Day”.) I loved it as a child when one of my parents read aloud to me each night and I always begged for ‘another story’ rather than go to sleep.
The Enchanted Wood was a favourite read to me and then I read over and over myself. I still have this 1956 edition Mum’s father gave to her when she was eight. Mum then gave it to me at about the same age, but when I was older and moved out of home, I left the book with her, knowing how she treasured it. Then, just two months before she died, Mum gave me this book again, wrapped as a present on the night I graduated from my Masters degree, and I can’t tell you how precious it is to me, even if very marked and foxed and falling apart!
(If only my name inside in my grade 3, ‘running writing’ – yet to graduate from pencil to pen – was as elegant as my grandfather’s cursive script. Mine’s really only got worse, not better!)
Happy reading aloud!
Zoë xx
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Abruzzo Economia interview…
Italian magazine, Abruzzo Economia, recently interviewed me for their Lifestyle section and it was lovely to speak to Raffaella Quieti Cartledge about Abruzzo and writing Mezza Italiana, including some questions I’ve never been asked before about the area. The article in Italian may be read here…
Abruzzo Economia – Una scrittrice australiana Mezza Abruzzese
or you may read an English version below…
An Australian writer who is half-Abruzzese…
by Raffaella Quieti Cartledge
Australian and author of the autobiographical book, Mezza Italiana, Zoë Boccabella describes her discovery of Abruzzo, her familial origins in Fossa (AQ), and her subsequent trips to the region and the rest of Italy. The memories of her grandfather’s stories come to life in the family home while Abruzzo reveals a part of itself that will transform her forever.
What inspired you to write the book?
The first time I arrived in Abruzzo where my family came from, I had a feeling of coming home, even though I had never been there before. I stayed in the house in Fossa that had belonged to my ancestors for centuries and my grandfather, Annibale, who was born in Abruzzo, told me stories of when he grew up there, the history of the area where he lived and how he left part of his heart behind when his father sent for him to join him in Australia in 1939. The experience had such a profound effect on me. Walking around the villages, hillsides, forests and deserted castles, I felt at once that Abruzzo was a very special place. Each time I returned and explored the area more, I wrote down family folklore, village stories and began to think more about my experiences growing up as an Italian-Australian, how I felt ‘half and half’, not like I fully belonged to either culture.
Who is your main audience and please tell us about them.
I began writing what was to become Mezza Italiana at the kitchen table in the house in Fossa, not thinking it might become a published book one day. Over time, I added more research and stories as I discovered them. Then the 2009 earthquake occurred in Abruzzo where my family’s village was and it was important to include this too. Especially when I saw how the Abruzzese handled the tragedy with such grace, strength and forbearance.
I wrote what I saw and felt, rather than thinking about who might read it one day. And because I grew up as a descendant of Italian migrants in 1970s and early 80s Australia when it wasn’t as accepted to have a Mediterranean background like it is now and migrants weren’t always treated well by everyone, I did come to hope that by sharing my story perhaps just one person who read it, who was a migrant descendant and feeling confused or ‘half and half’, might not spend decades surrendering part of themselves as I did.
Are you going to have the book translated in Italian and how many copies have you sold so far?
It has been such an unexpected and lovely surprise that Mezza Italiana has become a bestselling book in Australia and the best part of that has been hearing from so many different readers who shared similar experiences to mine. It has recently also become available in Italy, the rest of Europe, the UK and US as well.
What is it of Abruzzo that strikes you as different from other regional characters?
Secluded by the magnificent Apennines, in many ways Abruzzo remains untamed, natural, beautiful, but still accessible, with wonderful, down-to-earth people, talented artisans in centuries-old crafts and culinary traditions, and medieval architecture unchanged. When writing both my books, I travelled throughout Italy from the north to the south and in between and whenever Italians in other regions asked where my family came from and I mentioned Abruzzo, their responses were very positive with much respect for Abruzzese, who are well known to be forte e gentile – strong and kind.
What do you think is Abruzzo’s main resource (in every way, geography, people) and what do you think Abruzzese should do to stimulate its economy – attract niche tourism?
Because I live in Australia I can only answer from the perspective of a visitor to Abruzzo, even if that includes staying with family there. For me, the charm of Abruzzo is its many untouched landscapes and traditional ways. I understand it is important to be economically strong in the best interest of the Abruzzese people while protecting its valuable assets of the natural beauty and historical art and architecture of the region, so there is a fine line. To me, Abruzzo’s great strength is having more green space than almost any other region of Italy, as well as its fauna. This is a great tourist enticement.
A popular, growing part of tourism is photography tours where serious photographers are led by tour guides to photograph wildlife, flora and scenery. I believe Abruzzo’s renowned national parks, lakes, mountains and forests, brown bears, chamois, eagles and wolves among other wildlife are a superb attraction.
Abruzzo has a very rich art history and again this would suit tailored tours as well as culinary tours that could include local feste, not so well-known and waiting to be discovered.
In the past, due to its untouched areas and medieval buildings, areas of Abruzzo have also been used as locations for films, including Hollywood’s ‘spaghetti westerns’ and films such as, In the Name of the Rose, Ladyhawke, The American and The Fox and the Child and the region could continue to be a place that hosts international and local film locations.
Should the region establish better contacts with the descendants of Abruzzese ’emigrati’ abroad through their associations and bring them over to visit the land their grandparents came from?
This is an interesting question. Visiting the region did strengthen my ties to the area and prompted me to encourage more people to discover it too. For descendants of migrants, it can be such an enriching, valuable experience to see where their parents or grandparents came from. Some in Abruzzo may not be aware that many migrants in Australia continue to carry on traditional Abruzzese and Italian ways to this day – bottling their own passata, making pasta alla chitarra, sausage making, and celebrating traditional festive days – all to respect and keep alive their heritage.
How did the discovery of your grandfather’s region change you?
The first time I went to Italy I was unaware Abruzzo was about to have its way with me. As I journeyed up into the Apennine Mountains to L’Aquila and then Fossa, it was as though the Italian blood in me suddenly surged with recognition and I couldn’t resist the magnetic pull the place had on me. Abruzzo completely exceeded my expectations in its special beauty and gave me a sense of ‘coming home’ and belonging. Family history and ancestral links have an instinctive pull and over the next two decades I felt compelled to return to the house that had belonged to my family for centuries and for longer periods of time.
Curiously, as much as Australia is my home, going to Italy felt like going home too and each time I returned with my heart more open. It made me feel proud of my Italian heritage when I was back in Australia and of course to write about that and to share it with others. When I first stepped onto Italian soil, I was hopping off a train and a bird dropping landed on my shoulder. This is meant to be ‘a positive sign’ according to Italian folklore and I guess for me it truly was!
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Stanthorpe Border Post article…
For those in the Stanthorpe area or with a connection to it, the Border Post interviewed me recently about parts of the books set there. It was a pleasure to spend time in the area when researching the books, especially going back to where my family’s orchards stood, and always such a privilege to interview older, local people and learn their stories. xx
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conca d’Abruzzo in Australia…
Received this lovely gift from a reader, Augusto (who doesn’t mind me sharing that he lives in Australia, was born in Fossa, Abruzzo and was pleased to discover the books). At 80, for the first time he’s learnt copper smithing and made me this little, copper conca and ladle, like those larger ones traditionally used in Abruzzo to collect water (women like my bisnonna Maddalena carried them on their heads).
Thank you to Augusto, such a beautiful kindness. I will treasure it always! And many thanks to all who’ve connected through messages and letters. It’s such a pleasure to hear from you. What most drives me to write is to preserve experiences of ‘everyday’ people and their often overlooked yet I believe significant parts of history. Thank you for your interest (and I’m working hard on the next book!!) xx
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the gentle work of nest building…
Have some long, solitary hours ahead for a little while as I do the edit on the next book… so it was lovely to sit at my desk this morning and look out into the tree to see a honeyeater building a nest right by my window. I may even get some baby birds for company come spring!
A while back I read in a book (Nest: The Art of Birds by Janine Burke) that as well as using their beaks to build their nests, birds also press their breasts against the inner wall to make it round, imprinting their shape on their home and forming it with their beating hearts. As I sit here I can see the bird doing just that! (Apologies the picture isn’t better but didn’t want to move too much and scare her off.)
Filed under books + writing, inspiration + history
Mezza Italiana to be released in the US next year….
I’m thrilled to say that in 2018 Mezza Italiana will be available in the US in paperback and ebook.
Many thanks to ABC books, HarperCollins AUS and HarperCollins360 US.
More closer to the date! xx
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From a laneway in Fossa…
I took this from the tiny balcony of the house in Fossa. As Roger walked along the laneway below on his way to the Boccabella shop and passed someone on their phone, he had no idea I was taking a photograph from above.
It is some years ago now, at a time when we were staying in the family house at the village in Abruzzo for a month and I was starting to write Mezza Italiana. It feels so strange to know that the damaged house now stands empty and the village a ghost town since the earthquake.
But I also feel so fortunate and grateful for the times I got to the experience the village at its happy and lively best, the connection it gave me to family and for the stories it has given, and hopefully will continue to give.
Filed under books + writing, italy
Books update…
Mezza Italiana now available in the UK
Including at bookstores such as Foyles, Waterstones, WHSmith and others as well as online stores.
It is available in paperback, ebook and audiobook.
Many thanks to ABC Books and HarperCollins 360 UK!!
________________________________________
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the Book House…
Happened across this gorgeous Little Free Library in Maple Street, Maleny where you can leave a book and swap it for another. Such a lovely idea. I’m definitely going to take a couple of books to leave there next time…
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the art of birds…
“Birds don’t only use their beaks to build: they press their breasts against the inner wall to make it round, imprinting their shape on their home, an interior formed by the steady rhythm of their beating hearts.”
Janine Burke
from Nest: The Art of Birds
Filed under art + photographs, books + writing
Castrovillari, Calabria…
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a beautiful place to sit and read, or lie and daydream…
Painted by Estella Canziani (1887-1964) who wrote {as well as drew and painted the illustrations for} one of my favourite books on the Abruzzo about her 1913 travels – Through the Apennines & Lands of Abruzzi.
She painted this picture {oil on paper} from inside her house in London at 3 Palace Green in 1922. The white bird in the painting one of the many birds she rescued and cared for.
Filed under art + photographs, books + writing, inspiration + history
little free libraries…
Love this concept of the ‘Little Free Library’ – “take a book, leave a book” structures built with recycled materials and popping up beside footpaths, coffee shops, houses and parks around the world….
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Lightly, lightly….
“It’s dark because you are trying too hard. Lightly child, lightly. Learn to do everything lightly. Yes, feel lightly even though you’re feeling deeply. Just lightly let things happen and lightly cope with them. I was so preposterously serious in those days…Lightly, lightly—it’s the best advice ever given me. So throw away your baggage and go forward. There are quicksands all about you, sucking at your feet, trying to suck you down into fear and self-pity and despair. That’s why you must walk so lightly. Lightly, my darling.”
Aldous Huxley
From ‘Island’, 1962
Related articles: Watching Over
Filed under art + photographs, books + writing, inspiration + history
Writing and witches…
Perhaps because my great-grandmother Maddalena was known as the village witch, there is something that appeals immensely about Italy’s most prestigious national literary prize, the Premio Strega being named ‘the witch prize’. In 1944 , Maria and Goffredo Bellonci began hosting at their house in Rome, Sunday gatherings of writers and artists that became known as the Amici della Domenica, or Sunday Friends. This resulted in 1947 the Belloncis, together with Guido Alberti, owner of the Strega liqueur business, inaugurating a prize for fiction, the winner being chosen by the Sunday friends.
Winners include Italian writers such as Umberto Eco in 1981 for Il nome della rosa – In the Name of the Rose and Giuseppe di Lampedusa posthumously in 1959 for Il gattopardo – The Leopard.
Liquore Strega has been distilled since 1860 in the town of Benevento, located roughly between Rome and Naples, the place where witches from all over the world gathered (and still do at a certain time of year). There is an old legend, still very much alive, this drink was a love potion witches created to forever unite couples who drank it. Strega liqueur continues to be tied to the sorcery of its origins. Some modern covens use the liqueur in their rites, burning it in bowls for various purposes.
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