A Curious Absence of Chickens

Puglia is a region I wanted to get to know intimately, to understand culture, life, history and geography, reflecting through the prism of the food thats put on the tables of locals and tourists, too. Im reminded of my 20-year old self, scribbling in notebooks as I first travelled through Italys south, only this time Im back to stay. After her children grew up and left home, Sophie Grigson found herself living alone. About to turn 60, she took the decision to sell or give away most of her belongings, to pack up her car and to drive to Puglia on her own to start a new life. In a part of Italy where she didnt know anyone, having last visited the region 40 years ago, this narrative book of food writing, stories and recipes brings to life the region, its food and the local characters that she meets along the way. This is a book about courage, hope, new horizons and, above all, delicious food.