Tales from the Hamlet
Memories of Italy – Part 1
“This is a charming book – a quirky travelogue written by a somewhat eccentric middle-aged English lady. She invites you to share her extraordinary experiences as she explores a little-known area of Italy, introducing you to stunning terrain, surprisingly welcoming people and mouth-watering food.
WARNING don’t read this book when you are hungry!”
At the age of 61, Cassandra, a single and peripatetic Brit, was asked to pack up her house and move to Italy to take up the offer of a much-needed job. 15 months later she was made redundant, leaving her unnerved, broke and unable to return home. Her dream of a new life was rapidly turning into a nightmare and saddled with all her belongings, her antique furniture, over 800 books and her aged Siamese cat she had nowhere to go.
A kind friend offered them sanctuary in a tiny converted barn in his family’s ‘Borgo’, a cluster of rustic properties grouped around a late-Medieval manor house in the mountains; the beautiful and mysterious Emilian Apennines of north Italy. There she was befriended and watched over by the owner; and eccentric octogenarian, his household ghosts and 14 semi feral cats.
The experience proved to be challenging yet deeply transformative as she struggled to recover her equilibrium and rebuild her life.
Tales from the Hamlet was featured / reviewed…
August 2022
“Recommended for all who like to experience different parts of the world from their armchair.”
Georgia recommends Hamlet, read on to know why.
Georgia Rose
August 2022
“Diving into the eclectic reservoir of relatable life stories by “regular” people is often rewarding in ways that even the best Presidential memoir can’t touch. Cassandra Campbell-Kemp’s TALES FROM THE HAMLET is a perfect example.”
Read why Tales from the Hamlet reminds Callahan that serendipity occurs most often to those who may have good reason to be afraid, but embrace life anyway.
CALLAHAN
August 2022
“Exploring the awesome beauty of the Emilian Apinnines.”
Lizanne Loyd at Rosie Amber reviews Hamlet
LIZANNE
August 2022
“There are several elements that make this book unique, Cassandra herself, Italy, the food, landscape, the historical information shared. Oh, and the characters…”
Read what Olga likes about Hamlet in her review on Goodreads
OLGA GOODREADS
August 2022
“And there are cats. Who doesn’t love everything about cats?”
Despite the love for cats, Frank, who – as part of the review team at Rosie Amber – gave Hamlet 3 stars. Find out why.
Frank at ROSIE AMBER
August 2022
“Amazing account of a courageous woman. Her accounts of the local history are fascinating and her intense interest in the stories is clear.”
Read the thoughts of “Lizanne lost in a good book” about Hamlet.
LIZANNE LOST IN A GOOD BOOK
June 2022
Book Viral (Review)
“A remarkably brave woman, and a remarkable book, written with sophisticated vocabulary, captivating candour and the most beautiful descriptive tone, which literally opens up Italy for the reader like a bloom, defying you not to feel just the beginning tingles of itchy ‘travellers’ feet. A five star read Tales from the Hamlet is unreservedly recommended!”

Tales from the Hamlet
Memories of Italy – Part 2
Cassandra is currently busy writing more Tales from the Hamlet – which will be published later this year.