SDS Reads "La Cucina: A Novel of Rapture" by Lily Prior

The April 2017 meeting of Sisters of the Desert Sun was, by far, one of the best meetings we have ever had.  Members arrived brimming with excitement to read excerpts from the book and to share their favorite parts of this story.  Set in Italy, Prior tells a brilliant, page-turning tale of unexpected passion complicated by societal expectation, mystery, desire and food.  

In honor of Prior's novel, SDS gathered this day to cook sumptuous Italian dishes as did her main character throughout the book.  The clanking of pots and pans became the musical backdrop to our collective retelling of La Cucina as SDS set out to embody the spirit of the main character, Rosa, and her mastery in the kitchen.  Rosa would have been proud as our table was dressed with stuffed shells, spaghetti bolognese, bruschetta, fettucini alfredo, fresh bread, garlic infused olive oil and several bottles of wine.  

We cried and we laughed as we identified with Rosa at different stages of her life.  Sated after an amazing meal and book, Sisters of the Desert sun added La Cucina: A Novel of Rapture to our "Must Read" list.  It is a story that you will never forget.  

-Karen Rowe Gilliland