Misadventures in Language, Love and Lasagna: A Late-Blooming Italian Adventure
Ever wondered what happens when you combine an Aussie-born New Yorker, a beginner's Italian class, and an unshakeable dream of la dolce vita?
At fifty-five, Michael Francis decides it's finally time to learn Italian. Armed with nothing but optimism and a dictionary, he joins a Lifelong Learning Institute in Brooklyn, where conjugating verbs becomes a comedy of errors and every pronunciation is a potential catastrophe.
But classroom chaos is just the beginning.
When Michael takes his shaky language skills to Italy, hilarity ensues as he navigates ancient cobblestone streets, local characters, and cultural mishaps. From terrifying mountain bus journeys to eating street food in maze-like alleys, his adventures prove that sometimes the best stories come from getting gloriously lost in translation.
In this charming and witty memoir, you will:Cringe at Michael's spectacular 'schoolboy errors.'
Meet an unforgettable cast of characters, from his patient (or not-so-patient) Italian teachers, to the colorful locals who become unwitting language partners.
Experience the joy, frustration, and triumph of learning a new language later in life.
Discover Italy through fresh eyes, complete with all the mishaps and magical moments that make travel so memorable.

Positively Pazzo (positively crazy) is a heart-warming reminder that it's never too late to learn a new language, even if you stumble over every verb tense along the way.
Perfect for fans of Under the Tuscan Sun and A Year in Provence, this memoir proves that the best souvenir from any journey is the story you bring home.
Whether you're learning Italian, have a passion for Italy, or you simply enjoy a good laugh at life's unexpected turns, Michael's journey will inspire you to chase your own dreams - no matter how unrealistic they may seem.
Pick up a copy of Positively Pazzo today and join Michael on a journey that's equal parts humor and heart, proving that sometimes the best way to find yourself is to get completely, utterly, and positively lost in another language.