Reviews

Auntie Poldi and the Vineyards of Etna by John Brownjohn, Mario Giordano

silvermusic10's review against another edition

4.0

Another smashing hit. Poldi continues to be a hilarious and engaging main character. Her interactions with her nephew are as charming as they are humorous. And I gotta say, the narrator's attempt at impersonating Cher absolutely sent me.

swelshimer's review against another edition

adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

boekenalsontbijt's review against another edition

adventurous funny mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No

4.0

maddie_1999's review against another edition

adventurous lighthearted slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

henrismum's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

Audiobook (All of my entries on The Story Graph are audiobooks.)
#2 in series (I read book one in the series in September 2022. )
Will I read other installments? Probably Not Maybe Definitely I enjoyed this story, but tuned out in some places so the ending didn't quite sink in. I'm up to hear more about Poldi because the last line of this book creates a wonderful start for the next installment.
Comparison to others in series: Not as good About the same Better A little less engaging than book one, but the last line makes me want to read more.
The narrator was Matt Addis. I love his Italian accent.
Source: LA Library

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Murder and Animal death

Minor: Alcoholism, Alcohol, and Grief

isabelmacomber's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny lighthearted mysterious relaxing tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

thain's review against another edition

4.0

Another enjoyable entry in this humorous series featuring the inimitable Auntie Poldi in Sicily.

avalydia's review against another edition

3.0

Auntie Poldi is as amusing and entertaining as ever. Although for some reason I put this book down for about a month while I was halfway through with it, and by the time I came back I had forgotten most of the main suspects. I'm not sure if that was the book's fault or just me being flighty.

austra_pro's review against another edition

3.0

Jau pēc pirmās iepazīšanās ar tanti Poldi bija skaidrs, ka viņas piedzīvojumi neaprobežosies ar daudz prosecco krēslā ar skatu uz jūru. Arī šoreiz netrūkst spraigu notikumu - mīlnieku ķildas, noindēts suns, līķis vīnadārzā un kur tad bez mafijas? Autors gan pats tāds stilistiski nepastāvīgs - ir vietas, kur viņam izdodas brīnišķīgi uzburt Sicīlijas ainas un garšas, un tad viņš to nolaiž atejā, rakstot lappusēm garas reklāmas produktiem vai uzņēmumiem. Kā tā mūsu latvāņu Zonin fane. Visumā šis romāns lieliski atbilst cosy-det žanram - var patīkami atpūsties, sapņot par garšīgu, laimīgu Itāliju un atslogot smadzenes.

“But young Italian males are like Etna: too much pent-up magma leads to massive eruptions. That is the only reason why geologically youthful Mongibello is regarded as a good-natured volcano: it regularly lets off steam, does little damage and is very fertile. Like a young Sicilian, in other words.”

sofipinho's review against another edition

adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5