Don’t let the cutesy cover of this book fool you, it is a master class in finding a balance between comedy, insecurities, and loss in under 200 pages.
I went into this novel expecting a basic romance, but that is not what Stapleton had in mind. This book is experimental, and confusing if you don’t pay enough attention. We follow the protagonist trying to discover Italy and find the perfect dress but the stories don’t always line up. There are multiple versions or selves of the speaker, some are made up, some are new, and some you just simply can’t make out who it is. Looking back on the novel I’m still not sure exactly what was real and what was not. At times that was confusing but I think it more importantly coincides with the theme of insecurity, of imagining your perfect self or the perfect love story. Traveling to Italy does not erase your pain, you pack it in your carry-on whether you like it or not.
Stapleton is a comedic powerhouse at every turn yet she never sacrifices any depth to the story. The book touches on how hard it is to deal with body image at any age. As a child the speaker describes an ogre who eats all her food which leaves her feeling too skinny. But as an adult we see the eternal love-hate relationship she now has with Spanx. She also talks about the difficulties of coming out, of being gay as a young girl and as an adult, and loving and losing her first love.
Even the character Sophia (who was my absolute favourite)— an Italian woman who does and says what she wants— has her own issues and unfulfilled desires. Her relationship with the protagonist was lovely, serendipitous, and full of hope. The juxtaposition of their characters bridged the Atlantic Ocean. It doesn't matter if you are from Newfoundland or Italy: we are all heartbroken and lonely, and 10 pounds off our dream weight.
I recommend this book to anyone who wants to laugh and cry. Be okay with getting lost in the narrative, because just like any obscure Italian landmark, it’ll sneak up on you when you're not looking.