Lost in Pisa is the hilarious, poignant, and acerbically observed story of one man’s year-long plunge into the chaos, charm, and culinary delights of a city that refuses to be rushed. Just turned sixty, our irrepressibly curious, slightly bumbling English protagonist arrives in Pisa determined to finally speak Italian properly — a feat he has spectacularly failed at for two decades — but quickly discovers that language is only the beginning.
From rain-slicked streets to festival chaos, from sun-baked piazzas to fog-shrouded alleys, he navigates a world of gestures, missteps, and culinary temptations, learning lessons about patience, humility, humour, and the rhythm of life. Every spilled espresso, overcooked lasagne, and misunderstood idiom becomes a doorway into the subtle logic of Italian culture — and a mirror reflecting his own foibles.
Equal parts travelogue, memoir, and essayistic meditation, Lost in Pisa is a sharp, witty, and deeply human exploration of how to live well, eat well, laugh often, and, occasionally, apologise gracefully. For anyone who has ever fumbled in a foreign language, wandered a foreign city, or wondered what it truly means to slow down and pay attention, this is a book that will make you laugh, wince, and long for a plate of perfectly al dente pasta.
