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From Scratch
A Memoir of Love, Sicily, and Finding Home
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Format: Paperback / softback
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See moreThis Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick is a captivating story of love lost and found set in the lush Sicilian countryside, where one woman discovers the healing powers of food, family, and unexpected grace in her darkest hours.
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Description
Now a limited Netflix series starring Zoe Saldana!
This Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick and New York Times bestseller is “a captivating story of love lost and found” (Kirkus Reviews) set in the lush Sicilian countryside, where one woman discovers the healing powers of food, family, and unexpected grace in her darkest hours.
It was love at first sight when actress Tembi met professional chef, Saro, on a street in Florence. There was just one problem: Saro’s traditional Sicilian family did not approve of his marrying a black American woman. However, the couple, heartbroken but undeterred, forged on. They built a happy life in Los Angeles, with fulfilling careers, deep friendships, and the love of their lives: a baby girl they adopted at birth. Eventually, they reconciled with Saro’s family just as he faced a formidable cancer that would consume all their dreams.
From Scratch chronicles three summers Tembi spends in Sicily with her daughter, Zoela, as she begins to piece together a life without her husband in his tiny hometown hamlet of farmers. Where once Tembi was estranged from Saro’s family, now she finds solace and nourishment—literally and spiritually—at her mother-in-law’s table. In the Sicilian countryside, she discovers the healing gifts of simple fresh food, the embrace of a close-knit community, and timeless traditions and wisdom that light a path forward. All along the way, she reflects on her and Saro’s romance—an incredible love story that leaps off the pages.
In Sicily, it is said that every story begins with a marriage or a death—in Tembi Locke’s case, it is both. “Locke’s raw and heartfelt memoir will uplift readers suffering from the loss of their own loved ones” (Publishers Weekly), but her story is also about love, finding a home, and chasing flavour as an act of remembrance. From Scratch is for anyone who has dared to reach for big love, fought for what mattered most, and those who needed a powerful reminder that life is...delicious.
Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
From Scratch by Tembi Locke is a poignant memoir exploring themes of love, loss, and healing. The book tells Tembi's heartfelt journey through grief after the passing of her husband, Saro, and highlights the healing power of community and family, especially in the warmth of his Sicilian hometown. With beautiful storytelling interwoven with the comforting presence of Italian cuisine, the memoir is both a celebration of love and a testament to resilience.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781501187667
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 06 February 2020
Country: United States
Imprint: Simon & Schuster
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 25.0mm
Width: 133.0mm
Height: 203.0mm
Weight: 252g
Pages: 352
About the Author
Tembi Locke is a New York Times bestselling author, producer, screenwriter, and actor whose work centers on love, loss, and resilience. Her memoir, From Scratch: A Memoir of Love, Sicily, and Finding Home, was a Reese’s Book Club pick and an instant bestseller, and an Audie Awards and Goodreads Best Books finalist. Tembi cocreated and executive produced the award-nominated and global hit Netflix adaptation of From Scratch. As a nationally recognized speaker and podcast host, her work has received widespread media attention from outlets like The New York Times, NPR, and Essence Magazine. Tembi’s work shines a light on life’s turning points and the unexpected possibilities that follow moments of change.
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