"A wonderful debut by Ann Galland. A novel that makes one dream of Italy." - Standaard boekhandel
"This debut novel by Galland is beautifully written. You imagine yourself in Italian cities and can smell the delicious coffee." - Libelle Leesclub
"Warning! When you start reading Aroma, make sure you don't have any appointments for the next 24 hours, because you are guaranteed to want to finish the book in one breath." - Cosidetto.be
"This book has it all: strong characters, a clever background of the Italian art cities, interesting twists in a masterfully crafted plot, and a compelling story that leaves you baffled. Galland does not shy away from heavier themes either." - Gentleest.be
An immense fortune. An impossible choice. Unconditional love. A young girl struggles with her employer’s power over her life, even after his death.
Venice, 1978. Alba Amato is a young orphan who finds work as a waitress at Gli Scalini, an authentic coffee bar in the Castello district. At first everything goes well, but gradually Alba’s life is dominated by the introverted coffee roaster Roberto Raffa. Amidst the aromas of ground beans, a sinister power play takes place that only ends with Roberto’s death.
For Alba, that means the end of two years of tyranny. Until she learns that she is the sole beneficiary in Roberto’s will. What does this mean? Should she accept the fortune of the man who terrorized her, or stay true to herself? In the aftermath of her choice follows a story that spans more than half a century, a story that exposes a stream of family secrets and intrigue and makes us ponder the long-gone possibility: what if I had lived my life differently?
For readers of Elena Ferrante and Santa Montefiore