I received this book for free from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Tartufo by Kira Jane Buxton Published by Grand Central Publishing on January 28 2025
Genres: Adult, Literary fiction
Pages: 352
Format: Finished hardcover
Source: Publisher
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The nitty-gritty: Funny and heartwarming, Kira Jane Buxton takes on truffles and Tuscany in this worthy follow-up to her beloved Hollow Kingdom series.
After loving the brilliant Hollow Kingdom, I was a bit leery to read Tartufo, a straight-up piece of literary fiction that didn’t have the speculative elements I usually look for in my books. On the other hand, how could I not read it? I’m happy to say that all of the charm and emotion found in Hollow Kingdom is present here as well. Kira Jane Buxton has a gift for bringing quirky characters to life, and the intertwined relationships of Tartufo’s characters are the best thing about this book. The story was very slow in the beginning, though, as the author introduces her large cast, but eventually the action picks up, and dare I say, a story about a giant truffle turned out to be quite thrilling at times.
The small Tuscan village of Lazzarini Boscarino has fallen on hard times. Tourism is almost non existent and most visitors head for the nearby town of Borghese instead. New mayor Delizia Miccuci is trying to figure out how to turn things around and infuse life back into her sleepy village. Things are looking dire, until the town’s truffle hunter Giovanni Scarpazza, out hunting with his beloved truffle dog Aria one day, discovers something incredible: a huge truffle in perfect shape, weighing almost seven pounds. After some soul searching, Giovanni decides to share the wealth and tell Delizia, knowing that the income from the truffle could save the village.
With the help of famous chef (and Delizia’s brother-in-law) Umberto Micucci, an auction is set up to sell the truffle to the highest bidder. Suddenly Lazzarini Boscarino is in the spotlight, with famous people flocking to town for the auction. But fame has a price, and the miraculous truffle will either save the villagers—or tear them apart.
Buxton uses omniscient point of view to tell her story, so the reader gets to dip into the heads of not only the many colorful characters, but animals and insects as well, a technique that adds plenty of charm to her story. For example, we get to see from the perspective of a scout ant and a honey bee, and my favorites, Giovanni’s truffle dogs Aria and Fagiolo, who experience all the amazing smells in the forest as only dogs can, but are focused on the most important one, the musty, funky smell of the truffle.
Buxton’s lush language brings her story to life, and never have I read so many mouth watering descriptions of food and wine. The author sometimes veers into over-the-top, purple prose with her descriptions, and the beginning chapters are quite slow as she’s setting the stage for what’s to come. She takes her time introducing the main characters, and each chapter focuses on a couple at a time, so the story feels like a series of vignettes at first. But eventually the tension builds as various dramas play out between characters and the fate of the largest truffle in the world gets closer and closer.
Despite the larger-than-life truffle, though, it’s the characters who make this story so memorable. There’s the vivacious Guiseppina who runs the local bar and has been told by a psychic that something big is coming to Lazzarini Boscarino; the elderly Nonna Amara whose house was damaged during a landslide, and now everyone in the village is trying to figure out a way to pay for repairs; Delizia, the new mayor who left the village as a young married woman, never expecting to return, but now finds herself taking over for the recently deceased mayor—her father. In addition to the wonderful dogs Aria and Fagiolo, there’s a twenty-two year old donkey named Maurizio who is everyone’s favorite donkey, and a many-times-pregnant cat called Al Pacino, both vividly drawn. The author infuses color and life into each character, and by the end of the story the reader feels as if they know each one personally.
And Tartufo is funny. Buxton has an amazing knack for comedic timing, and even when the humor is a little too much, it fits the story anyway. I don’t know any other author who could take something as uninspiring as a truffle and build a hilarious and emotional story around it, but Kira Jane Buxton has done just that.
The last few chapters border on the absurd, as the truffle auction turns into a comedy of errors, but each scene is carefully thought out, and even events from the beginning of the book come full circle into an unexpected and heartfelt ending. If you loved Under the Tuscan Sun, you’ll probably love Tartufo as well.
Big thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy.
This sounds like a charming and fun boo! Original too. A truffle didn’t sound so exciting, per se, but It is great that the author managed to create something so interesting around it! And I love when we get some interesting and original POVs!!
Thanks for sharing!
I’m not sure any other author could make me interested in truffles, ha ha.
I like the sound of this. The charm and humour is definitely appealing, and all the unique viewpoints sound quite novel too. Glad you enjoyed it
It had so much charm!
I haven’t tried Hollow Kingdom so think I’ll start there with the authors works but I’ve got to admit that the warmth and enthusiasm within your review has really made this one’s premise grow on me. Having struggled with an animal POV in another book I was somewhat worried when I saw it mentioned elsewhere but it does sound charming and I’m curious to see how it works here. Honestly the bit I’m most worried about is the OTT ending lol. I’m glad you enjoyed this so much and thanks for the lovely review.
The animal POVs are very short and not the focus of the story. But I adore Hollow Kingdom, it’s still one of my favorite books ever, so I always push it whenever I can:-)
Ooooh set in Tuscany. The descriptions must be really beautiful. I already love all the animals, especially the donkey. Donkeys are just so cute!
You would love this donkey:-)
This sounds original and fun, glad you enjoyed it!
It was a lot of fun:-)
Wonderful review! I loved the Hollow Kingdom books, but the plot description didn’t grab me when I first encountered promos for Tartuffo. I’m glad you enjoyed it, and maybe eventually I’ll circle back to it, but the subject matter still doesn’t scream “must read” to me.
Thank you! I definitely hesitated because of the plot, but I’m glad I read it:-)
Glad you enjoyed it.
Thanks!
Books with amazing characters are the BEST. They really make or break a story. I’m glad this one was enjoyable for you!
I agree! She has a knack for writing great characters:-)
Okay, I didn’t even make the connection of this author and the Hollow Kingdom series. Since you mentioned dog perspectives, you know I’m gonna grab this one now right?
The dogs are wonderful!
It makes perfect sense and seems entirely appropriate that she’d include the animals and insects as characters given Hollow Kingdom. I look forward to giving this one a try one day, though I do want to read Feral Creatures first.
Definitely read Feral Creatures!
Comedy of errors is a good way to describe this. A bit too silly for me at times, especially since I kept having it in mind I was reading “realistic” fiction!
Yes, parts were very silly!
Beautiful cover, but this doesn’t sound like one I’d read. I’m glad you were able to enjoy it, as it totally sounds not at all like one of your usuals! Great review!
https://lisalovesliterature.bookblog.io/2025/02/10/l-l-l-little-reviews-72-february-2025-part-one/
I was so tempted by this one but then I think I decided not just because I’m trying to be sensible. And I love the sound of it. One for the wishlist.
Lynn