On those rare occasions when I pick up a book by an author I'm not familiar with, just because the title catches my eye, I usually regret it. Whatever nuance I read into that title often has little to do with the substance of the book. Yet, when I saw PASQUALE'S NOSE on our reviewers' list, it gave me pause --- Pasquale just happens to be my favorite aunt's married name. A frail connection at best, but you have to admit it's an intriguing title. Knowing that the Pasquale ancestors were from Italy (where the memoir takes place) and given the coincidence in names, how could I possibly resist?

Described as a journey of the author's experiences and self-revelations while living in Italy, it really offers so much more for the reader: Part travelogue, part memoir, and unquestionably a study in human behavior. Michael Rips launches the narration by characterizing himself as a man who had reached a pivotal point in life. Married, with a young daughter, and entering that philosophical phase in which all humans ponder where they've been and where they're going, he had developed a complete state of inertia and it weighed heavily on his mind. His wife, who seems to have formed a clear perception of life's priorities and of Michael as well suggested they move to Italy so she could pursue her painting career while he pondered; and, despite his initial objections, they wound up moving to the Italian town of Sutri.

Sutri is an ancient Etruscan community situated north of Rome in a region of Italy that is as picturesque as it gets --- "medieval towns perched on hilltops, volcanic lakes, abandoned beaches, and mountains forested with chestnut and oak trees." The imagery of a Tuscany-like village might suggest that this memoir resembles other books in recent memory, depicting romantic vistas, peaceful havens, and charming tourist attractions. What you'll find instead is one of the quirkiest gatherings of people you could ever imagine, viewed through the wondering eyes of an outsider who embraced the people and the culture wholeheartedly.

Rips relates many of the stories from the perspective of his café chair on the piazza, a location that was well-suited to observing the variety of colorful characters that inhabit Sutri. Incredibly, he became an accepted member of the piazza's daily occupants and the community as a whole, even though the locals were normally hostile toward foreigners. His depictions of the old men of the piazza, for instance, are both touching and humorous and in many ways reflect the universality of human behavior.

"The social structure of the piazza is as fixed as its architecture. On the outside of the square, sitting on the stone benches just in front of the buildings, are the old men, the guardians of the square. Though not one of them is well-off, they make a point of wearing sports jackets and pressed shirts when they visit the square. They speak quietly to each other but most of their days are spent in silence, watching others."

These are the storytellers, the authorities on the history of the community --- its events, its scandals, and its residents. And there's a whole parade of marvelous people that Rips encountered while living in Sutri; it's their engaging stories that form the substance of PASQUALE'S NOSE. One of the few somber chapters relates the tragic life of the bean farmer, Vittore, who became one of the old men of the piazza. Another revolves around the puzzling behavior of "The Philosopher," a man of unknown identity who engages Rips in frustrating dialogues. And there's the outrageous Sabina, a restaurant owner who could teach New York's "soup guy" a thing or three.

In addition to the wealth of anecdotal stories, Rips also includes a random selection of relevant recipes. The culinary fare of Italy seems to be an obsession with most anyone who travels there, and Rips made note of many dishes that are specialties of the Tuscia region. Apart from the delicious descriptions of pasta and pastries, he discovered foods that had become part of the folklore of the region, such as fagioli regina beans, "Bruschetta of Herod," and believe it or not, porcupine. His early introduction to a dish prepared with the finest beans in Italy is just the first of many episodes in which the author takes you down the proverbial path of presumed seriousness before eventually leaving you in absolute hysterics.

If there's any flaw at all in the presentation, it would have to be the brevity. Leaping from story to story, the passages sometimes read like a collection of random journal entries rather than a continuously flowing prose. And even though Rips has a real talent for integrating two seemingly divergent stories with some ingenious surprise, readers still may wish he had expounded a bit more. That said, this is still a remarkable debut. Humor, compassion, and an obvious zest for life permeate every page of PASQUALE'S NOSE, making it one of the most delightful memoirs you'll ever discover. As for the origin of the title, there is a Pasquale and his nose is memorable. But you'll have to read about it for yourself --- I'm not spoiling the fun!

   --- Reviewed by Ann Bruns (BkPageWC@aol.com)

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