about the book
married to italy
Love, Lies and
Legal Nightmares
Married to Italy: Love, Lies and Legal Nightmares is a powerful and honest story about one woman’s tough journey living in Italy. Instead of the dreamy Italy seen in travel ads and movies, Lucinda Faulkner shares the real struggles of life there. She tells her story with honesty, humour, and some dark moments, showing what it’s really like—not as a happy visitor, but as someone dealing with Italy’s complicated and sometimes frustrating rules and way of life.
She struggled with paperwork, unfair treatment, and laws that did not support her. Being a woman made things even harder, leaving her feeling alone and mistreated. But Lucinda did not give up. Her journey became one of strength, learning, and never giving in, no matter how difficult things got.
With sharp humour and honest words, Married to Italy takes readers on an emotional ride—feeling angry, shocked, and frustrated, and laughing—while Lucinda shares the funny and crazy parts of daily life in Italy. She shows how the country can be both beautiful and confusing at the same time. Through her stories, she talks about the struggles that many foreigners, especially women, go through when trying to build a life in a place that feels both amazing and difficult.
A Story of Survival, Humor, and Harsh Realities
At its heart, Married to Italy is a story about staying strong. It’s about a woman who refuses to give up, even when everything seems unfair. The book shows how hard it can be to deal with Italy’s confusing rules, especially for women. Even though Italy looks modern, some old ways of thinking still make life difficult. This story is about fighting through challenges and not letting a tough system win.
From fighting unfair legal problems to dealing with landlords who don’t follow the rules, Lucinda’s story shows the tough side of living in Italy. But even with all the chaos, the book is full of funny moments. As Lucinda says, without laughter, she might have gone crazy!
The book captures the following key themes:
A Legal System from the Dark Ages
Italy’s legal system is known for being slow and difficult to understand, and Lucinda saw this for herself. She struggled to get simple papers approved, faced contracts that changed without warning, and found court rules that didn’t seem to make sense. Every step of the way, she felt confused and frustrated.
The Treatment of Women in Italian Society
One of the most surprising things Lucinda noticed was how women are treated in Italy. At work and in relationships, she saw that many people still followed old ideas about gender roles. There were not many support systems to help women, which made things even harder for her. She talks about how much strength it takes to stand up for yourself in a society that still holds onto old ways of thinking.
Finding Humor in the Chaos
Even though there are many tough times, Married to Italy is very funny. Lucinda always finds something silly in every situation. This approach makes the book more than just a story about struggles—it’s also fun to read. Readers will laugh out loud at the crazy and surprising moments in the book.
Who Should Read This Book?
Married to Italy: Love, Lies and Legal Nightmares is for anyone who has ever dreamed of living abroad, especially in Italy. It’s a must-read for:
- Expats and aspiring expats who want a realistic view of life in Italy.
- Women who have faced challenges in male-dominated societies.
- Travellers who enjoy books that go beyond the tourist experience.
- Readers who love true stories filled with humour, heart, and resilience.
- Anyone who enjoys books that expose the realities behind an idealised life.
Final Thoughts
Life in Italy sounds like a dream, but for many people, it can be difficult, confusing, and even heartbreaking. Married to Italy: Love, Lies and Legal Nightmares shows the truth behind the perfect picture of Italy. This book tells what it’s really like to live there, including the good and the bad. With humour, honesty, and a strong spirit, Lucinda Faulkner shares her real experiences of life in Italy.
