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Art of Loving Italy

Art of Loving Italy

Art & Beauty are all around us.

Sophia’s Gifts

January 8, 2017 by Melissa Muldoon Leave a Comment

“Dreaming Sophia” is the story of a young American painter named Sophia who is named after La Loren, the legendary movie actress. At the start of the novel, she is a woman blindsided by fate who must come to terms with a devastating tragedy. But, Dreaming Sophia is also a joyful story, at times even funny and whimsical.

It tells how Sophia ultimately emerges from a very dark place by tapping into her creative, imaginative powers. In Italian, a person who daydreams is said to sognare ad occhi aperti—to dream with eyes open. And this is what Sophia does. Through her dreams, Sophia meets and talks to famous Italian personalities from past eras—Eleonora de’ Medici, Michelangelo, Leonardo, Simonetta Vespucci, Lucrezia Borgia, Garibaldi, and even the Prince himself Lorenzo de’ Medici. Sophia becomes stronger and more independent after each encounter with one of her muses and each gift she accepts moves her one step closer to Italy.

Dante’s give to Sophia is La Divina Comedia
He “wakes” Sophia through the Italian language

Elenonora de’ Medici gives Sophia a ring
She reminds Sophia she isn’t alone in the world.


Michelangelo & Leonardo give Sophia a piece of Carrara Marble
They tell Sophia to see the beauty in the world

Marcello & Sophia Loren give Sophia a red silk Versace scarf
They encourage Sophia to take a chance on love


Lucrezia Borgia gives Sophia a necklace of Venetian Beads
She encourages Sophia to follow her own unique path and be true to herself


Garabaldi gives Sophia an antique button
He tells Sophia to re-invent herself and put the puzzle pieces back together


Giulietta gives Sophia a book of sonnets
She tells Sophia something awaits her in Italy, something she hasn’t yet dreamed of


Simonetta gives Sophia a seashell
She tells Sophia to relax and go the flow but with new freedoms, come  consequences


Brunelleschi gives Sophia a snow globe with a miniature Florence inside
He tells Sophia learn more about where an artist’s inspiration comes from


Lorenzo de Medici gives Sophia ruby earrings
Lorenzo’s gift is a commencement present. Sophia’s journey is almost complete. She in turn gives something back to Lorenzo

Dreaming Sophia is available on Amazon in Print and e-version.

Click here to get your copy!

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Filed Under: Melissa Book News Tagged With: Dreaming Sophia, Florence, Italy, Matta Press, Melissa Muldoon, Novel about Italy

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Driving through the Maremma wending my way back to Driving through the Maremma wending my way back to Roma!
Grazie Antonio @notapioneer per una serata fantast Grazie Antonio @notapioneer per una serata fantastica a Vistamare ti auguro un futuro pieno della fortuna! 💙💛 #portasantospirito💙💛 lol ci sentiamo. Alla prossimo !
Love this place! Dinner with a spectacular view!!! Love this place! Dinner with a spectacular view!!! Vista Mare! Situazione attuale mi piace!!! 👍
Al ristorante VistaMare ! Che vista!!!! @vistamare Al ristorante VistaMare ! Che vista!!!! @vistamare
The Matta Book Club returns this fall with a new n The Matta Book Club returns this fall with a new novel!! 

More details and the big reveal of the title and the author and details how to sign up for the book club will come next week in a post on the StudentessaMatta.com website... so stay tuned. 

Currently, I'm still in Italy wrapping up a very successful language program in Arezzo! We had a wonderful time!

Now I'm at the beach and currently finishing up the next book club read! LOL

What I can tell you about the novel is that it is a contemporary adventure/murder mystery set in Italy, that takes you from Monte Carlo to London and to France where two thieves board the Orient Express to Venice as they track down Casanova's diary. 

Next week you will have the chance to sign up for group book club meetings of up to 3 or 4 readers, or individual sessions. The novel is available in print and audio and it is my recommendation, with plenty of lead time to read the novel during the summer months prior to the October start date, so that we can really dive into the story, and plot, and work on grammar and idioms.

Stay tuned! State sintonizzati! A presto!
This guy has all his ducks in a row! Al mare in Ca This guy has all his ducks in a row! Al mare in Castiglione della Pescaia
Buongiorno principessa! Siamo pronti per il mare! Buongiorno principessa! Siamo pronti per il mare! 😃

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