Casa Nostra

Englishwoman Caroline Seller met Marcello Manzo at a Halloween party in London in the mid-seventies. Although she spoke little Italian and he spoke practically no English, the chemistry between them was undeniable, and it wasn’t long before Caroline was invited to visit Marcello’s family in Mazara del Vallo, Sicily. A large, eccentric, and loving clan living in a magnificent, crumbling villa, Santa Maria, the Manzos welcomed Caroline warmly, and soon she and Marcello were married. Together they traveled the world and started a family, but through it all, Santa Maria was never far from their thoughts. So when the Manzo brothers united to save the family’s deteriorating estate, Marcello and Caroline eagerly signed on to the project-not entirely prepared for what they were getting into! As seen through the eyes of Caroline Seller Manzo-an outsider who is often surprised and always delighted by her Italian family and adopted hometown-Casa Nostra is the captivating story of a villa’s difficult, glorious rebirth and a celebration of the unique beauty and history of western Sicily and its people.

Author Biography

Caroline Seller Manzo was born in London but was brought up in Fiji and has lived in many different countries, first with her parents, then with her husband, Marcello. She read classics at Oxford University and now works as a trainer in communication studies. She and Marcello have two daughters, and divide their time between London, Sicily, and Milan.