I am sure that most of you would be surprised if you caught me reading a book called Chickens, Mules, and Two Old Fools. Even the book’s author, Victoria Twead thought the writing might be south of my taste. I don’t blame you for thinking as such; all one has to do is to read most of my fiction to come to that conclusion.

Don’t judge a book by its cover.

Not only did I read the book, I will most likely read it again. And again.

On the surface, the book looks like a light hearted look at a five year experiment in which Victoria and her husband agreed to try a slice of of Andalucian life. The experiment involved the couple moving from England to Spain when at the end of the five year agreement, they would decide whether or not to remain.

Below the surface, the book is a wonderful love story. This is not your typical chick flick type love story. The couple have met, struggled, raised a family and are now living out their lives as inseparable as yin and yang. The love story here is about a couple that became enamored with beautiful lifestyle and have been accepted with open hearts by the indigenous souls of El Hoyo.

Oh yeah, I can’t forget to mention that the book could also pass for a regional cookbook containing mouth watering fare form in and around the region of Andulcia. Recipies that are salt of the earth.

I can honestly say that Grumpy’s Garlic Mushrooms Tapa has made its way into my gullet more than once over the last three weeks.

The one experience with reading Chickens, Mules, and Two Old Fools that kept me motivated was the casual conversation that Vicky carries out between the covers. I felt like I was sitting on her terrace, drinking wine at sunset while she impishly told of the misadventures of Joe (her husband) and herself. All the while, Joe is sipping wine, smiling, and occasionally grimacing.

Poor Joe.

As I was reading the book, I sent a Twitter update in praise of the penning. The tweet mentioned how I felt that Carl Hiaasen would be proud of Vicky’s caricatures because both authors accomplish the same thing for me; humorous paintings of players that are not so over the top that  I see them as totally unbelievable.

I will forever see all über efficient Germanic real estate brokers named Kirt as tall  gangly men in smart, navy or black, two piece suits and sporting :

…curly blond hair that flopped when he talked as though punctuating his sentences

Now comes the the cincher: I found a couple of awww moments in the book, so I’m sure that some of you ladies will need a tissue or two, especially if you read the same line that sent shivers down my spine when I read it.

I highly recommend Chickens, Mules, and Two Old Fools, a book about, yes, chickens mules and two old fools that fall in love with a place and people so beautifully written about that I yearn to at least visit.

Thanks Vicky!

Coming Monday July 12th: My Interview with Victoria Twead. Should be a blast!

Author Victoria Twead can be found at:

Website

Squidoo

Twitter

© 2010, Alex Crabtree. All rights reserved.

Years ago I started writing Flash Fiction for just the sheer enjoyment of writing, and now it has turned into a full blown addiction. I can't quit the horse, man! Another dirty little secret about me is my ability to write all kinds of web content. SEO content, articles, blog posts, manifests; you name it, I'll write it. Looking for some help? My gun hangs at r.alex.crabtree@gmail.com

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Tags: book review, chickens mules and two old fools, victoria twead

This entry was posted on July 6, 2010 at 10:34 am and is filed under Books, Featured, Writing Reviews. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.