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Romance novel set in Rome, and author Karen Swan talks vintage clothes shopping

9th July 2017

The Rome Affair by Karen Swan, romance novel set in Rome.

Every sense was spoilt in Rome: the scent of jasmine wandered the air while the hum of scooters zipping round the perimeter roads was as calming as the buzz of bees

A lovely split narrative that will immerse you in the wonder that is Rome.

Romance novel set in Rome

Cesca has made Rome her home. She lives in a tiny flat, up a flight of outside steps, adorned with plotted plants tended by her landlady. It’s a simple existence now, but there is a hint that she has a “past life” back in the UK. She is a well known character in the locality, with her tall willowy gait, a fiery mane of red hair, and a penchant for vintage clothes, which raises a few eyebrows amongst the well styled Italians.

A fluke discovery of a designer handbag, consigned to the rubbish bin, leads to a meeting with Principessa Elena dei Damiani Pignatelli della Mirandola (known as the Viscontessa), who lives in a huge Palazzo just around the corner from where Cesca lives. In the handbag is a pivotal letter addressed to the Viscontessa. Upon returning the bag to its owner, she finds Elena is looking for a biographer of her very varied and colourful life – several husbands, mixing with the elite of America’s East Coast…. A dream job, it would seem, especially as she is already notching up considerable reader numbers for her blog, titled “The Rome Affair” where she shares ‘her’ Rome. But there are several naysayers who prophesy a bitter outcome when they hear that Cesca is working for Elena.

It soon becomes clear that Elena – or Laney back in the day – has a version of the truth that does not tie in with Cesca’s research. All the smoke and mirrors and artifice are like a red rag to a bull – Cesca was a barrister in her previous life, thus she is pretty astute at spotting when things don’t add up. And they certainly do not add up when it comes to Elena and her portrayal of her life.

Bang! Suddenly a sink hole appears in the beautifully tended garden of the palazzo. (Sinkholes are unfortunately pretty common in Rome, more than 80 were reported in 2016 alone). Rome has been built layer upon layer of history and much of the city sits on, what is in effect, a honeycomb of structures. Below the Piazza Navona, for example, there a Greek style stadium. And it is Signor Cantarelli, an urban speleologist (yes, I had to look it up, it is someone who studies caves and karsts) who comes in to examine the sizeable hole that has opened up in the middle of the Viscontessa’s garden. A handsome fellow, who certainly catches Cesca’s eye, but who seems strangely diffident in her presence.

A huge diamond ring is found in one of the tunnels and this opens up a new chapter in the story that the Viscontessa has been weaving, it is indeed like the past is seemingly swallowing up the present…..And a good few twist later round off this hugely readable tale.

Every time I opened up the novel to read more, I felt like I was opening a door into life in Rome. I could see the “amber light and the sparrows“, feel the heat and engage with the buzz of the capital. The author travelled to Rome for a research recce, intent on finding the palazzo she had in her mind’s eye. She wanted to try and find one that fronted onto a principal square with a smaller square to the side, but to no avail. The palazzo is a fabrication which had to be invented. However, the bakery “next door” is in fact based on Biscottificio Innocenti in Trastevere and Cesca’s house is inspired by a little house the author found just nearby. The ice cream parlour where four of the characters chew over their lives is based on Giolitti in Via del Vicario.

Tina for the TripFiction Team

Cesca has an eye for vintage clothes, and Karen has kindly shared her Top 5 Vintage shops in Rome:

 

Cinzia’s

Cinzia’s – Via del Governo Vecchio, 45. A true Aladdin’s cave down a little cobbled lane near Piazza Navona, I always make a point of darting in. Great faded denims, 1970s dresses and vintage sportswear; I still rue the girl in the changing cubicle next to me getting her hands on the retro Adidas jacket seconds before me. (She bought it, goddammit).

Pifebo – They have 3 stores across the city but I always go to Via Serpenti, 135-41, in the Monti district. It’s a riot of colour and textures. I bought a stunning hand-worked embroidered peasant’s blouse from there which absolutely everyone thinks is a much-more-expensive designer original.

Borghetto Flaminio – Piazza della Marina, 32 – a mini Portobello, this is a small but bustling outdoor vintage market, just opposite Piazza del Popolo. Not especially high-end labels but great for a rummage for more anonymous one-offs, which is my favourite part anyway. There’s a small cover charge – just a few euros, if I remember correctly  – but definitely worth it. Sundays only, 10am – 7pm.

Second Chance

Second Chance  – Via Sardegna, 57 – if bags are your thing, this is THE place to get them. All the biggest labels are stocked and the quality is mint.

King Size Vintage Via del Boschetto, 94 – another small store bursting at the seams with curios and quirky delights. Funky sunglasses, platform shoes, old leathers, vintage furs and sequin dresses.  I simply can’t help myself, I just have to go in.

Thank you so much to Karen for sharing such great insider tips. You can follow her on Twitter and  Facebook 

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  1. User: Judith Works

    Posted on: 09/07/2017 at 5:02 pm

    And of course there are the 2nd hand markets like the one at Via Sannio – always got good shoes and cashmere sweaters there.

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