Tartufo

De: Kira Jane Buxton

Narrado por: Caroline Hewitt

From the author of Hollow Kingdom, a fantastically funny story featuring a cast of colorful characters in a dying Italian village and a giant truffle that changes their fate forever in this “deliciously absurd tale....I savored every page of this book.” (Shelby Van Pelt, author of Remarkably Bright Creatures)

After nearly losing the election to a geriatric donkey, newly installed Mayor Delizia Miccuci can’t help but feel like the sun has finally set on the rural Italian village of Lazzarini Boscarino. Tourists only stop by to ask for directions, Nonna Amara’s cherished ristorante is long shuttered, and the town hall is disgustingly overrun with glis glis poo—even Postman Duccio has been disgraced. All that’s left is Bar Celebrità, a rustic establishment where weary locals gather to quibble over decades-long disputes, submit their poor stomachs to bartender Giuseppina’s volcanic espresso, and wonder what will become of the place where together they’ve spent their entire lives.

Little do the villagers know that local truffle hunter Giovanni Scarpazza has just happened upon something that could change everything. A truffle—un tartufo, that is—sits beneath the soil with the power to either be the greatest gift or the foulest curse the village has ever seen.

Written with the same enchanting style and raucous humor that defines Hollow Kingdom and Feral Creatures, Tartufo is a reflection on the interconnectedness of life in all its manifestations—and how holding on to harmony in the face of hardship can grow something beautiful and rare beneath the surface.

©2025 Kira Jane Buxton (P)2025 Grand Central Publishing

Characters and humor

Liked the humorous characters and storyline. Great life lessons incorporated into the plot. Giving voice to the non human characters was an unexpected element that I thoroughly enjoyed.

A Colorful and Exciting Trip to a Small Village in Italy

By the time I finished listening to this book, I felt like I had visited a small village in Italy and had been welcomed in as family. Fantastic variety of characters and a beautiful portrait of Italy. I loved the twists and turns and was surprised by the ending, which makes for a great story.

Way too much description of things I don’t care about

The writing style does not work for me. Endless descriptions of smells, storyline jumping from character to character before I’ve formed an emotional connection, too many characters introduced too quickly. I know people who would love this book, but I am not one of those people. Couldn’t make it past the third chapter. I normally don’t leave reviews, but since I can’t get a refund I am hoping to keep someone else with similar sensibilities from wasting their money or a credit.

Incredible and delightful!

Loved every minute of this tasty tale! I would recommend this book to anyone who like funny, thoughtful novels.

So much fun!

Great story, terrific writing, wonderful narration. I think I have to go to Tuscany. Can’t wait to hear her other novels.

A sloooowwww starter.

the first five chapters had me asking why I bought this book. it took until Chapter 13 to really get off the ground but the story became a 5 star from that point on.

Fun description of an Italian village

Lively story about a truffle found in an Italian village. Complex story and a bit hard to keep track of its characters.

Lovable characters and cute story

Fun story filled with unique characters, human and animal. Kept thinking it was all over several times before the end.

A page turner, full of heart and suspense

Beautiful language from a talented writer who has created believable characters. Her images are vivid and filled with sensuality and powerful connections with the web of life, and they healing qualities of the natural world.

Charming and well-written

As a born and bred Italian, I feel ambivalent about this book: on one hand it is undeniably charming, its prose most times truly inspired, on the other hand it embraces all the stereotypes of the artificial "Italian fantasy" so beloved by Americans and so annoying to Italians.
The performer reads it very well, barring some glaring mispronounciations. Would it really be so difficult to hire a native Italian dialect coach?

I had to look up the mysterious Glis Glis. In Italy we call them GHIRI!