Product Description

Romona Drottoveo is an Italian chambermaid, whose skin exudes an intoxicating scent. This unusual asset makes her irresistible to men and despised by women but her infidelity on her wedding night brings bad luck to the village and she is exiled - until her scent unexpectedly vanishes.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #69552 in Books
• Published on: 2002-11-04
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 272 pages

WASHINGTON POST
'Think of her as Moll Flanders or Tom Jones, or perhaps the anti-Candide...there are surprising twists and turns in this picaresque work'

PEOPLE
'Hilarious…Like LA CUCINA, Prior's follow-up bursts with mouthwatering descriptions of sumptuous meals...Bottom Line: Smells like a winner'

GOOD HOUSEKEEPING
'A glorious confection of sensuality, mysticism and witty characters…Very entertaining'

Customer Reviews

frivilous, funny, freakish and for me : )
This was the second Lily Prior book I had read and at first, as with her first book "La Cucina" I was surprised at how unique her writing style is. Her books are a little vulgar at times, and a tiny bit jaw-dropping; not because I'm at all prudish, but simply because she uses language unlike any author of her genre so it can take a couple of chapters to get used to. She cleverly mixes sex with humour and it works so well, making your jaw drop slightly and giggle enthusiastically.

I'm looking forward to her third novel, Ardour, and hope it's more of her tongue-in-cheek, non sugar coated same.

Light and easy literature
I think one can take literature too seriously, Lilly Prior certainly does not advertise that she writes weighty meaningful prose, nor does she practise it.

This lighthearted (rather than hilarious) and perfectly obviously 'unbelieveable' story is written in easy bite sized chunks, fantastic to joyfully flit through when one doesn't crave something overly taxing. Certainly a fitting companion would be a bottle of fruity Rose and a sunny afternoon, as opposed to a ten year old claret in the dead of winter!

The characters are, of course, MEANT to be fantastical, and so many in such a short book means that you don't waste too much time on any of them particuarly. The main character is monstrously vain and difficult to like, however that is how she is MEANT to be viewed in my humble opinion.

I've read one too many fluffy predictable books with happy endings lately and also heavy historical novels, this slotted in as a refreshing change and those who liked Ms Priors previous novel will enjoy this i'm sure if approached with a lighthearted mind.

Joanne Harris Wannabe
This is by far the most stupid thing I've read in a long time. The prose, while I imagine it was supposed to be simple and quirky, is lifeless and irratitating. The main character is detestable and the only reason I finished the book was to see if she got her come-uppence. I'm all in favour of super-bitch characters but she is too raw to feel any interest in. The concept of the erotic aroma is a good one but over played. Having said that I practically forced people I know to read it out of a strange compulsion so maybe the book does acheive what it's aiming for.