ForeWord Clarion Reviews
AUTOBIOGRAPHY & MEMOIR
Two Nuts in Italy
Sue Ellen Haning
iUniverse
978-1-936236-69-5
Four Stars (out of Five)
Two Nuts in Italy is not your typical tale of a backpacker’s trip through Italy. No, this novel is
the travel memoir of a fifty-six-year-old woman flying in the face of incredulous, discouraging
friends by accepting her twenty-one-year-old daughter’s invitation to spend a summer with her
backpacking through Italy as they rely solely on the kindness of strangers for a roof over their
heads.
The first chapters throw us straight into author Sue Ellen Haning’s head as she tries to
decide if she should go. She finds herself torn between the advice of friends who proclaim she is
not only too old, but a complete nut to consider the trip to Italy, and persuading herself that this
adventure is something that she craves, desires and needs.
The author humorously addresses the age difference between herself and the average
backpacker. Even the definition of “essentials” comes into question. To daughter Jenny,
essentials mean a hair dryer and high heels, while the author is packing vitamins and inhalers.
The opening chapters also deal with a change in plans as her son Jake joins the trip.
Haning recounts the whirlwind of their first days in Italy—of trying to absorb Italian
culture while overcoming jet lag and settling into her new situation and location complete with
heat, discomfort and bugs. As the journey continues, Haning undergoes a transformation. There
is a growing connection between the author and her location as she becomes immersed in Italian
culture and her communication and movement become more fluid. Her descriptions are richer,
her writing more sensual as she shares descriptions and details of food, markets, the landscape
and people.
The author portrays every up and down, from the animated Italian characters who show
them the sights or host them for a time, to the diversity of backpackers that they meet and
disappointments and fears of having no place (or a somewhat squalid place) to stay. They find
themselves at various times broke, hungry or discriminated against because George Bush is
president back home.
The author’s observations of the culture are candid and comical. Of the Italians, she
notes, “It’s fascinating how Italian cars drive themselves. I count, and Nic touches the steering
wheel six times. These are times someone else is talking, and he doesn’t need his hands.”
Americans are not immune from her observations. At a college graduation party, Haning
is “blown away” by conversations on history and politics she has with students from around the
world and notes: “These 20-year-olds have a much different outlook on life than American
college students.” In another instance, sitting with a woman and cracking open sections of pine
cones to harvest the nuts inside, the author observes: “It’s amazing how much time Italians spend
with their friends and neighbors daily. They are rich in a way that we are poor. We live sterile
lives, ceaselessly racing ahead of ourselves toward progress and achieving bigger and better
goals ... Our compassion comes through our pockets. We as individuals are happy to share our
money, but we don’t share ourselves, like I see Italians doing.”
These observations occur more frequently as the author continues on her journey through
Italy and into her own identity. Haning returns to America after the three months abroad
realizing that her spirit is “violated” by the surroundings that were once familiar and comforting:
“I understand that different is not always better, but differences open eyes. I am seeing things
differently. In Italy, I came in contact with the far side of me. My spirit experienced a rebirth,
and I learned to let it soar. I unearthed my passion and decided to let it live.”
Two Nuts in Italy is about a woman who challenges her apprehensions and stereotypes
about the limits of so-called older women. It is a story of travel and transformation. Besides
discovering a new world, the author rediscovers herself. Recommended reading, especially for
the “mature” woman.
Maya Fleischmann, ForeWord Clarion Reviews
Reviews
"Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn would have nothing to boast about in the presence of Sue Ellen Haning and Jenny Cudd." Ray Westbrook, Lubbock Avalanche Journal, Nov.20, 2009
"The book is entertaining and so inspiring."Brooke Squires, Fresh Ink, Colorado Springs, Colorado, Sept. 8, 2010
"To tackle Italy at age fifty-six with nothing more than a school backpack, hoping to sleep on a chance-met kind stranger's sofa? The chapters read like scenes in a movie and would make a blockbuster "chick flick." Author Sue Ellen Haning hits just the right notes of humor, adventure and reflection. I highly recommend this wonderful read for any mother and daughter, and for anyone who has ever secretly longed to swing a wrecking ball at his invisible walls of custom and comfort. I came away with the giggles, the "warm fuzzies," and a serious case of envy, all at the same time." Dr. M. Dobbs, Texas Tech University
"Two Nuts in Italy by Sue Ellen Haning is a wonderful look at the adventures of a mother and daughter backpacking in Italy for 3 months without the advantage of knowing day to day where they would sleep each night. It is both inspiring and entertaining. It is a book for every woman. The author reminded me of the necessity of living my own life to the fullest after my children are grown. As a retired bookseller I classify this book a potential bestseller" A. Boggs, Texas
This is a inspiring tale about a mother-daughter backpacking trip to Italy; but more importantly, it is a heartwarming story about family relastionships and how you can overcome any obstacle if you love and believe in each other and how such obstacles bring you together in ways you never thought possible. The author exquisitly describes new friendships she made while on this unusual trek through Italy. And to top it off, it was written by a teacher in my hometown of Lubbock, TX! Mimi K., Texas
Two Nuts in Italy is well written, witty, and insightful - a fine book you should not miss if you are interested in adventure travel, mother-daughter relationships, personal challenge and growth, or just a plain fun read. J. Ward, California
Ms. Haning has a gift for making her observations and adventures come alive. If you have never been to Italy, it makes you want to go. If you have been to Italy, especially to the locales she visited, she refreshes your memory beautifully and makes you want to revisit. If you never get to visit this enchanting part of our world, this book is the next best thing to being there. S. Klope, Alabama
"The book is entertaining and so inspiring."Brooke Squires, Fresh Ink, Colorado Springs, Colorado, Sept. 8, 2010
"To tackle Italy at age fifty-six with nothing more than a school backpack, hoping to sleep on a chance-met kind stranger's sofa? The chapters read like scenes in a movie and would make a blockbuster "chick flick." Author Sue Ellen Haning hits just the right notes of humor, adventure and reflection. I highly recommend this wonderful read for any mother and daughter, and for anyone who has ever secretly longed to swing a wrecking ball at his invisible walls of custom and comfort. I came away with the giggles, the "warm fuzzies," and a serious case of envy, all at the same time." Dr. M. Dobbs, Texas Tech University
"Two Nuts in Italy by Sue Ellen Haning is a wonderful look at the adventures of a mother and daughter backpacking in Italy for 3 months without the advantage of knowing day to day where they would sleep each night. It is both inspiring and entertaining. It is a book for every woman. The author reminded me of the necessity of living my own life to the fullest after my children are grown. As a retired bookseller I classify this book a potential bestseller" A. Boggs, Texas
This is a inspiring tale about a mother-daughter backpacking trip to Italy; but more importantly, it is a heartwarming story about family relastionships and how you can overcome any obstacle if you love and believe in each other and how such obstacles bring you together in ways you never thought possible. The author exquisitly describes new friendships she made while on this unusual trek through Italy. And to top it off, it was written by a teacher in my hometown of Lubbock, TX! Mimi K., Texas
Two Nuts in Italy is well written, witty, and insightful - a fine book you should not miss if you are interested in adventure travel, mother-daughter relationships, personal challenge and growth, or just a plain fun read. J. Ward, California
Ms. Haning has a gift for making her observations and adventures come alive. If you have never been to Italy, it makes you want to go. If you have been to Italy, especially to the locales she visited, she refreshes your memory beautifully and makes you want to revisit. If you never get to visit this enchanting part of our world, this book is the next best thing to being there. S. Klope, Alabama
Multimedia
To watch Sue Ellen's interview on Good Morning Texas, click here.
