"What a read!! I loved it. You really brought places to life so that I felt I was there myself." Phyllis J
"I loved, loved your book. The kindness and compassion of the Italians you crossed paths with brought tears to my eyes and challenged me to bring more kindness to my everyday life. Thank you for sharing your story. I'm really hoping there will be more books in the future." Jo H
"What an amazing treat of a read. So brilliant. Such a fascinating life and set of experiences and so beautifully written. I look forward to your next book!" Kirsty M
" After two pandemic years stuck in an apartment, I really, really enjoyed the vicarious farm experience, without having to lift a finger! The earthiness was so unbelievably refreshing!" Alicia B
"What a joy to read. I was captivated by your writing and your story. The historical detail was excellent! It's one of those books when you finish, you feel like you've lost a friend." Helen P
"The detail of all the events, the people, the surroundings - brilliantly put together. Such an incredible life-changing journey." Josh R
"I loved it! Coming Home had me in fits of laughter, it had me in tears, as you took us on your romantic, eye-opening journey of Italy. I felt like I was on Elba with you, picking those olives. Thank you for allowing me to share your journey. I await book number 2!! Mary S
"I finished your book and now I think someone needs to turn it into a movie. I really felt like I was watching you live in Italy as I was reading. Now I couldn't think of anything better than escaping to an island in Italy. Looking forward to reading your next book." Jemima S
"I just finished reading 'Coming Home' and loved it. Thank you for taking us with you on your journey with your brilliant writing. It felt like I was right there with you. I loved reading about your experiences. The human spirit and the kindness of others are just wonderful." Louise E
"Once we were in Naples it was impossible to put down. My lasting impression is of the love and compassion of all the wonderful people you met." Lois B
"I just finished reading your book and I loved every bit of it! You certainly are an inspiration and one amazing woman." Vicky A
"Your book is very candid about your emotions and motivations and a compelling read for that very reason. The reader wants to find out how you finish your quest. I enjoyed your evocations of the heat of an Italian summer, the environment and the local people. It makes me want to revisit Europe." Tom B
"You've successfully pulled me into daydreaming regularly of my previous Italian summer and hoping desperately for another one in the not too distant future." Helen Y
"A very real and personal narration. A must for anyone craving an Italian experience." Josephine J
"What a read!! I loved it. You really brought places to life so that I felt I was there myself." Phyllis J "I loved, loved your book. The kindness and compassion of the Italians you crossed paths with brought tears to my eyes and challenged me to bring more kindness to my everyday life. Thank you for sharing your story. I'm really hoping there will be more books in the future." Jo H "What an amazing treat of a read. So brilliant. Such a fascinating life and set of experiences and so beautifully written. I look forward to your next book!" Kirsty M " After two pandemic years stuck in an apartment, I really, really enjoyed the vicarious farm experience, without having to lift a finger! The earthiness was so unbelievably refreshing!" Alicia B "What a joy to read. I was captivated by your writing and your story. The historical detail was excellent! It's one of those books when you finish, you feel like you've lost a friend." Helen P "The detail of all the events, the people, the surroundings - brilliantly put together. Such an incredible life-changing journey." Josh R "I loved it! Coming Home had me in fits of laughter, it had me in tears, as you took us on your romantic, eye-opening journey of Italy. I felt like I was on Elba with you, picking those olives. Thank you for allowing me to share your journey. I await book number 2!! Mary S "I finished your book and now I think someone needs to turn it into a movie. I really felt like I was watching you live in Italy as I was reading. Now I couldn't think of anything better than escaping to an island in Italy. Looking forward to reading your next book." Jemima S "I just finished reading 'Coming Home' and loved it. Thank you for taking us with you on your journey with your brilliant writing. It felt like I was right there with you. I loved reading about your experiences. The human spirit and the kindness of others are just wonderful." Louise E "Once we were in Naples it was impossible to put down. My lasting impression is of the love and compassion of all the wonderful people you met." Lois B "I just finished reading your book and I loved every bit of it! You certainly are an inspiration and one amazing woman." Vicky A "Your book is very candid about your emotions and motivations and a compelling read for that very reason. The reader wants to find out how you finish your quest. I enjoyed your evocations of the heat of an Italian summer, the environment and the local people. It makes me want to revisit Europe." Tom B "You've successfully pulled me into daydreaming regularly of my previous Italian summer and hoping desperately for another one in the not too distant future." Helen Y "A very real and personal narration. A must for anyone craving an Italian experience." Josephine J
Launch at Avid Reader Bookshop, Brisbane, Australia
THREE YEARS AFTER HER HEART WAS BROKEN, JACQUELINE DID WHAT SO MANY COURAGEOUS WOMEN HAD DONE IN THE TRAVEL MEMOIRS SHE HAD READ – SHE QUIT HER JOB, PUT HER CAREER ON HOLD AND TOOK OFF TO ITALY.
Working in the fastest growing football code in Australia, Jacqueline had thrown herself into work in the years that followed her divorce. But, eager to find a way back to the person she once was, now without the life she’d imagined for her and her husband, Jacqueline planned her own escape to pursue la dolce vita.
Roaming the lush countryside of Tuscany while learning Italian in the medieval hilltop town of Siena, then throwing her energy into the annual harvests of a seaside farm on the island of Elba, Jacqueline embraces the romanticism of Italian life, as she begins to deconstruct her past and seek fresh inspiration for her future.
However, heading south, Jacqueline’s life is again thrown into chaos when she finds herself being scraped off the cobblestones of Naples and wheeled into the back of an ambulance.
In hospital, she is forced to confront the things she wanted to leave behind. But, through food so good it would make your Nonna cry, and meeting the kind of generous people you only hear about, Jacqueline discovers the kindness of strangers, the importance of family and the significance of coming home.
AVAILABLE FROM retailerS and e-tailerS BELOW
E-BOOK AVAILABLE
Available from: Apple Books; Booktopia; Angus and Robertson; Kindle; Kobo; Lehmans Media; Bertrand Levreiros (Portugal); Others
Search for ISBN 978 064 529 82 15
RETAILERS | AUSTRALIA
Booktopia, Koorong, Dymocks Online, Angus & Robertson
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Search for ISBN 978 064 529 8208
Catch my conversation with Emanuele Attanasio from the Italian National Tourist Board Australia / New Zealand, for Italia Web Radio 🇮🇹 as a podcast via Spotify!
Jacqueline Bawtree
Author | Coming Home
Photo: Kris Ashpole Photography
Jacqueline Bawtree was born in Jimbour on the Southern Darling Downs of Queensland and grew up in Brisbane, Australia.
She spent time living and working in Sydney and Melbourne before taking time to travel.
Jacqueline now lives in Brisbane (Meanjin) and works as a writer and photographer, exploring the stories of her hometown and surrounds through her work.