Looking for a book to give you a hint of what's on offer in Arezzo, beautiful home of the next Free With Words writing retreat? Look no further than Appointment in Arezzo, Alan Taylor's wonderful memoir detailing his friendship with the legendary Scottish author, Muriel Spark, who was best known for her novel, The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie.
In 1976, when he was in his early 20s, Taylor, an avid fan, wrote to Spark, asking if he could interview her at her house in Italy, in Arezzo. Spark declined and it would be another 15 years before Taylor finally met her.
He went to Arezzo to interview her in 1990 and a lasting friendship ensued that went as far as regular house-sitting for her as she left Italy in the hottest weeks of summer.
Along with The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, Spark wrote 22 novels in her lifetime and was one of the most critically acclaimed authors of her generation. Many of these were written in her house in village of Oliveto, near Arezzo, which she lived in for over 30 years.
This short but beautiful memoir gets to the heart of Spark's difficult background and magical writing, and is as steeped in love for the provence of Arezzo as her life was.
COME AND JOIN US FOR THE 2019 FREE WITH WORDS RETREAT IN AREZZO, TUSCANY FROM SEPTEMBER 7-14. REGISTER HERE!