Great idea for a book and really well executed. A thoroughly good read. Highly recommended.                              .

With gentleness, absurdity and humor, My Italian Bulldozer is the story of Paul Stuart, a Scottish food and wine writer, who travels to Tuscany to finish writing his book and to recover from his wife running off with her personal trainer. When his car rental at the airport turns into an agonizing experience, Paul borrows a bulldozer and begins his adventure through the countryside.
A fabulously charming, quirky and lighthearted read.

Alexander McCall Smith  presents a new character in My Italian Bulldozer in which Paul Stuart ensconces himself in a small Italian village to research his next culinary book on Italian cuisine and to recuperate from a failed romantic relationship.   Good story of manners.

Another crowd-pleaser from fan favourite Alexander McCall Smith. Charming characters, a romantic setting, and strong storytelling make this a compelling read.

I think I can safely describe Alexander McCall Smith's books as reliable "palate cleansers". This is the second book of his I read recently, and it did the trick. This one is a standalone and not part of one of McCall Smith's many series. Paul is a Scottish writer of food and wine. He heads off to Tuscany to finish off his latest book, while trying to get over a recent break up. My Italian Bulldozer is not action packed, but McCall Smith reliably delivers interesting characters, humour and a humane view of life. I find McCall Smith walks skilfully on the right side of a fine line between charming and saccharine. This book had the added bonus of being set in Italy, leaving me with a craving for good wine and authentic Italian food, and a touch of wanderlust. It was a good way to spend a quiet Saturday afternoon. And I will try to remember to turn to McCall Smith in the future when in need of something more gentle to read. But I must admit that I couldn't read his books back to back. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an opportunity to read an advance copy.