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A House in Sicily book cover
Post-War Sicilian Memoir

A House in Sicily

by Daphne Phelps

Format

Audiobook Narrated by Carolyn Bonnyman 8 hrs and 6 mins

Listen to a Sample

Free with Audible trial · Amazon buyer protection

When a young Englishwoman unexpectedly inherits a grand but crumbling villa in Taormina during the 1940s, she faces a choice: sell up and return home, or embrace an uncertain adventure in post-war Sicily. Against all advice, she decides to stay, transforming her inheritance into a guesthouse that becomes a haven for an extraordinary parade of writers, artists, and eccentrics.

This charming memoir captures the challenges and rewards of building a new life in a foreign land, from navigating local customs and fixing endless leaks to hosting luminaries like Tennessee Williams and Roald Dahl. With warmth, wit, and keen observation, it paints an unforgettable portrait of Sicily's landscape, people, and culture during a time of tremendous change—a testament to courage, adaptability, and the magic that can unfold when one takes an unlikely leap of faith.