IN THE VALLEY OF THE FIREFLIES

Since the author is a well-known BBC broadcaster, he's the natural choice to narrate his own account of renovating a farmhouse in Italy. Although he can't compete with Peter Mayle, author of A YEAR IN PROVENCE, as a writer, Peter Hobday gives an appealing description of rustic life in Umbria, especially meal after delectable meal (with a sampling of recipes). He's so besotted with Umbria that his voice takes on a glow as he reads. With a recording like this available, forget about the printed book. J.C. ©AudioFile, Portland, Maine [Published: SEPT 97]