Bella Figura: How to Live, Love, and Eat the Italian Way -Kamin Mohammadi

(Reviewed by JD Jung)

“ Now that I was living without all the relics of my former identity, there was a glimmer of something new. The heady possibly of freedom.”

Kamin was thirty-two and seemed to have it all: a dream job as editor of a fashion magazine, her own London apartment and a boyfriend. That was her former identity.

Five years later, it all fell apart. That is when she realized that her life had been too hectic in all the wrong ways, and that caused her to miss out on actually living. She decided to slow down and write her memoir about fleeing Iran with her family in 1979 during the revolution. A friend invited her to stay in her apartment in Florence to write this book. Unbeknownst to Kamin, this first year in Florence would change her outlook on life forever.

I’m afraid that the title, Bella Figura: How to Live, Love, and Eat the Italian Way will turn readers off. It’s not that it’s misleading; it’s just that this book is so much more. Yes, Kamin shows that living slower with intention, connection and community sharpens the senses instead of dulling them. Yes, she believes that separating her work life from her personal life was detrimental. And yes, Bella Figura is about “generosity and abundance, not meanness or deprivation” and making every aspect of life as beautiful as it can be wherever you live. I also appreciate Kamin’s candor and vulnerability. However, what I especially enjoyed about the book was that it is a wonderful celebration of Florence, the Tuscan countryside and Italian life and culture. She has also included recipes that hold a special significance  to her, featuring the season’s fresh produce.

Maybe you’ve never been to Italy and just want to learn to live more fully. Maybe you yearn to revisit this wonderful country. For me it was both, but additionally Bella Figura provided a welcome escape. Hopefully it will do the same for you.