Villa Coco by Andrew Sean Greer

Geoffrey is a clueless young American who accepts a post as an archivist in Italy. As he is patently unqualified and doesn’t speak Italian, his employer is not a prominent Italian museum but rather a ninety-two year old baronessa (a/k/a Coco) who lives in a “modest country house” in rural Tuscany.  His duties include not only cataloguing books, objects, and art but “pruning, shopping, and hunting martens.” Given his lack of qualifications,  what does the Baronessa really want from Geoffrey (a/k/a Giovedì)?

The zany household includes the demanding Baronessa, a Sri Lankan cook and her husband, and a wily marten. An old friend of the Baronessa, the charming and mysterious Oscar, the Baronessa’s handsome young cousin, and neighbor Estelle are frequent visitors.

Giovedì is perpetually out of his depth, language barrier notwithstanding, but the reader quickly guesses the Baronessa’s plans.

A light and charming read.

WHO WROTE IT

Andrew Sean Greer is the bestselling author of seven previous works of fiction, including the Pulitzer Prize winner Less.