To many in the workaday life, retirement can seem like a dream. Retirement in Italy? A fairytale. It is one that Barbara Boyle ’74 lives every day. She shares her journey from an American tourist to resident of Northern Italy’s storied hills in Pinch Me: Waking Up in a 300-Year-Old Italian Farmhouse.
In the book, Boyle introduces the reader to ravioli making in a Michelin-recognized restaurant, and the sense of open friendliness and pride in the people in her new home.
Boyle and her husband, Kim, first found themselves in the Italian town—perhaps village is a better word—of Monforte during their honeymoon. Nestled in the Piedmont region, the couple arrived after visiting France. They were instantly struck by the kindness of the people—and the food.
When they returned to their regular life in San Francisco, Boyle realized she was smitten, not just with her husband but with Northern Italy, its community, and the way of life she’d glimpsed on her honeymoon.
After many discussions about remote work and more, they found a farmhouse needing repair in the community that had stolen their hearts. They said goodbye to friends and home.
Life isn’t easy, Boyle writes. Cultural differences and bureaucracy often crop up. But there is also friendship and food—so much food—in the Italian journey she takes readers on.