I'm going to admit up front -- even though it violates a commandment -- I get a little jealous when reading books like former "L.A. Law" star Michael Tucker's "Living in a Foreign Language." It's true, I covet my neighbor's rustico, although I'd prefer one in Piedmont, thank you very much. I just can't help it; I'll try to be better.
I figure being a rich L.A. actor shouldn't automatically trump being hard-working parents in Milwaukee when it comes to being able to spend half the year in one's own house in Italy. That my dream (which is certainly more modest than Sting's 8-million hectare vineyard in Tuscany; I'd be happy with a working shower and kitchen!) should also be a celebrity's whimsical spur-of-the-moment purchase is a little off-putting.
But, I won't hold it against Tucker -- who started out as in actor, in part right here in Milwaukee -- and his wife, actress Jill Eikenberry, for spending "hundreds of thousands of dollars" on an old Umbrian cottage. Partially because he dreamed of it, too, for a long time (it wasn't exactly a whim for him) and, anyway, who's to say actors don't work hard? I should -- and will -- take the high road and say, "Bravo, Michael!"
As for the book, I've read a lot of these memoirs in which an American (or Briton) goes to England and finds plenty to amuse and ridicule, and to his credit, Tucker actually seems to like Italy as it is, rather than appearing to wish it more like America but older and more picturesque. And Tucker and Eikenberry make an effort to learn the language instead of simply reveling in the wacky situations that arise from a lack of Italian skills. And, like most everyone, they love the food. So, make that a doppio "bravo."
These are all well and good, but, frankly, while I love the idea of living in a foreign language (and I spend a lot of time trying to do it via books, coffee with friends, e-mail, the Internet, music, films, newspapers, etc.), I just can't seem to get into "Living in a Foreign Language." It feels too much like it's written for friends and family; like you need to know them better to be really interested.
However, Tucker's book is chatty, well-written and eager to share the surprises that he and Eikenberry have found in Umbria and beyond; and, it's got photos, which are nice in this kind of memoir. So, just because it didn't grab me, doesn't mean it won't nab you with its infectious love for Italy.
Best of all, if you read it quickly, you can ask Tucker and Eikenberry about it when they come to Schwartz Bookshop, 4093 N. Oakland Ave., in Shorewood, Tuesday, July 17 at 7 p.m.
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he lived until he was 17, Bobby received his BA-Mass Communications from UWM in 1989 and has lived in Walker's Point, Bay View, Enderis Park, South Milwaukee and on the East Side.
He has published three non-fiction books in Italy – including one about an event in Milwaukee history, which was published in the U.S. in autumn 2010. Four more books, all about Milwaukee, have been published by The History Press.
With his most recent band, The Yell Leaders, Bobby released four LPs and had a songs featured in episodes of TV's "Party of Five" and "Dawson's Creek," and films in Japan, South America and the U.S. The Yell Leaders were named the best unsigned band in their region by VH-1 as part of its Rock Across America 1998 Tour. Most recently, the band contributed tracks to a UK vinyl/CD tribute to the Redskins and collaborated on a track with Italian novelist Enrico Remmert.
He's produced three installments of the "OMCD" series of local music compilations for OnMilwaukee.com and in 2007 produced a CD of Italian music and poetry.
In 2005, he was awarded the City of Asti's (Italy) Journalism Prize for his work focusing on that area. He has also won awards from the Milwaukee Press Club.
He has be heard on 88Nine Radio Milwaukee talking about his "Urban Spelunking" series of stories, in that station's most popular podcast.
