In the tradition of UNDER THE TUSCAN SUN, the story of how one woman fell truly, madly deeply in love with Italy through the most seductive language on earth. 'Pronto! (Ready!), Italians say when they answer the telephone. And ready they are - to talk, laugh, curse, debate, woo, sing, lament. their native tongue conveys a sense of something coming alive ...' For anyone who has ever travelled to Italy or simply dreams of going there one day, the fantasy of living la dolce vita is powerfully seductive. Dianne Hales is no exception, but she also fell truly, madly and deeply in love with the language, fascinated by its story and its stories, tantalised by its adventures and ever eager to spend more time in its company.Italians say that someone who acquires a new language 'possesses' it. 'In my case, Italian possesses me. With Italian racing like blood through my veins, I do indeed see with different eyes, hear with different ears, and drink in the world with all my senses...' the result is La Bella Lingua, a joyous, funny and warmly affectionate celebration of Italy, its history, literature, food, music, movies and its people, who helped her not only to learn the world's most loved and lovable language but how to really live like a true Italian. 'La Bella Lingua is the kind of book you want to savour slowly,like a small piece of fine chocolate melting on your tongue...' Michelle Ward, the sweet life blog at www.lolalina.com 'An economic crisis has a way of curbing one's ability to rent a tuscan villa for the summer, but, thankfully, there are other, more affordable means to indulge a passion for all things Italian. Among them: getting a copy of La Bella Lingua.' SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE