Reviews of A Place Called Grace

The well-written and fast paced story of a courageous soul, a thirty-something single woman from Manhattan. At a time when many woman her age are settling down, either with their career, family or both, she did what many only dream of: Jetting off to a foreign land—in this case Rome, Italy—on a wing and a prayer and with no return ticket home; seeking romance along with professional fulfillment while becoming immersed in the Roman way of life.

And perhaps “immersed” is too delicate a term. After all, the book recounts not only her untiring efforts to find work in the Italian movie industry in Rome, but also provides a vivid depiction of her dizzying series of romantic connections with one charming European after another. The sort of tales with the potential to make her the envy of so many red-blooded woman this side of Milan.
But if none of these relationships lasted then some may argue that on another level this book is all about a woman whose traumatic early life experiences set the stage for a lifetime of commitment avoidance. Perhaps her decision to drop everything for Italy was just a symptom of her past. Well, if life dealt her lemons early on, then, at least for a brief period in her thirties, she took those lemons to Italy and made some lemonade, or should we say Biscotti with a nice Chianti. Saluti

In this memoir, Alison Rand uproots her safe NYC life and moves to Italy, not speaking the language, or having a job. She looks for work acting, in commercials, dubbing movies, dates many, many non-committal but not totally useless men (help find her plumbers, doctors, job leads), moves many times to many apartments, where many things malfunction and she is often sick. Most people would have given up, but she keeps going on. Eventually, she moves back home and I won’t say what happens. It’s a candid, often humorous and moving account..

Alison Rand has written a brave, introspective book about themes intrinsic to many of us: family trauma, separation, the longing for connection , love and belonging, no matter where you are. While recounting the painful details of her childhood, she is open and giving to the reader and not self conscious about sharing her disappointment and pain. You’ll also get some great chuckles. The accounts of her Roman adventures and relationships with a number of men while she lived in Italy is not only poignant but had me laughing. I read Alison’s book when I myself needed comfort after a traumatic incident in my own life. Alison’s book felt like being with a good friend, understanding, warm and oh so human.

Enjoyed A Place Called Grace by Alison Rand. A moving portrait of life’s twists and turns. Alison writes with candor and sensitivity. Each of us can relate. Recommend you read it.

“A Place Called Grace” is simultaneously illusive and yet within each person’s grasp. This duality captures the contrasting struggles of life in today’s world. Alison’s ability to observe herself and others is as finely honed as the sharpest knife in the draw. She is complex and courageous yet direct, honest, loving and available while trying to find her way in a world that lacks the integrity that is integral to her essence. Alison is not asking so much from life. She seeks and asks for something as simple as grace.

I was on a stressful flight to go down to Florida and I got so immersed in Alison Rand’s book that I was able to forget about my anxiety and stress for the whole flight! I really wanted to see what happened next to Alison. I found her story so touching and very relatable on so many levels. Plus it made me yearn to go to Italy! If you want a touching, easy to read memoir- then this book is for you. I loved it!!

This book is a great read with a lot of insight to life in Italy and contains an important lesson about life.

Her story reminded me of some of my own experiences in travel and striving to find a place in this world. This is a great read, I appreciated her vulnerability and honesty.