An accidental purchase of a villa and a chaotic Eat, Pray, Love adventure in Italy changes one man’s life.
Accidentally buying a Sicilian villa for just one euro is not the great Eat, Pray, Love game changer that Brian Chapman hopes it would be. Instead, tumbledown buildings, a shortage of plumbers, and resentful locals make Brian’s drunken whim look like the biggest mistake of his chequered career so far. Who could believe that an outbreak of swearing would lead not only to cultural reconciliation but to this very Australian fish out of water finding true love in Italy?
(4/5)
This is a delightful book. It is the story of a disillusioned Melbourne school teacher who drunkenly offers to buy a dilapidated house in Sicily for the bargain price of one euro but agreeing to spend €5000 on repairs. When he finds the deal can’t be unwound, he decides to make the best of it and go there. Unlike the other English-speaking expatriates who have taken up the same offer, he makes an effort to fit into the community, at least partly because he is attracted to a local “devil woman”. His correcting the inept attempts of a local barman to use an English expletive leads to him becoming a minor celebrity, tutoring the Sicilians in “special English” and getting paid in cash for doing it. This gives him the self-confidence to approach “the formidably glamorous Viviana” with the tantalising prospect of a happy ending. I could not put it down.
(4/5)
Andrew HC McDonald’s debut novel, The Montegiallo School of Swearing, delivers a hilarious exploration of language, culture, and self-discovery, largely set within the fictional Sicilian town of Montegiallo.
McDonald introduces readers to a cast of wonderfully flawed characters, including Brian, an Australian who impulsively purchases a dilapidated villa in Montegiallo for one Euro after a few too many drinks.
Described as a male version of Eat, Pray, Love, the book’s humour is a consistent highlight, ranging from irreverent observations on Catholic mass – ‘Thank Christ’ – to the absurdities of local customs and real estate ventures. As a former Catholic school student, I found Brian’s budding friendship with the priest, his ‘wingman,’ exceptionally funny.
The Montegiallo School of Swearing is revealed in the final third of the book, established in the unconventional setting of the local bar. Will teaching swear words enable Brian to earn an (off the record) income and also break down cultural divides?
I devoured the book in 24 hours and found myself researching the author, eager for more of his writing!
(4/5)
Hilarious, chaotic, and unexpectedly heartwarming.
This book had me laughing out loud and constantly annoying my partner by reading quotes out loud as I hit them.
Brian, a recently divorced Aussie teacher, gets blackout drunk with his best mate and accidentally buys a crumbling house in Sicily for one euro. When he arrives, he’s faced with hostile locals, clueless expats, and an unlivable eight-bedroom mess overlooking a piazza. Armed with primary school Italian, a grammar book, and his trusty toy Overlord Skeletor, Brian tries to make the best of his increasingly chaotic new life.
The first half sets the tone, but it’s the second half where things really shine. After one spectacular meltdown, Brian corrects the locals’ pronunciation of a certain English swear word — and inadvertently launches a profanity-filled language school that becomes the heart of the community.
Between his growing (and collapsing) relationship with the devilishly sharp Viviana and his mate Toby’s commentary on his “bidet-based love triangle,” this book delivers some of the funniest lines I’ve read in ages.
A delightfully absurd, feel-good read with just the right amount of heart and chaos. Highly recommended.
(5/5)
Brian needs to put his life back together, but also his new house. From engaging and relatable to downright hilarious. This book is easy to pick up, hard to put down, and will leave you feeling better about the world and maybe yourself as well. Well worth a read. I finished the book in a few nights and had many laugh-out-loud moments.
(5/5)
This is the first book of Andrew McDonald. It is both entertaining and funny and truly difficult to put down.
The main character, Brian, has lost his job, his wife has walked away, and most of his friends have deserted him. To escape his troubles, Brian buys a house in Sicily for only one euro. But his difficulties have just begun.
This hilarious story takes us on a home renovation journey into the hapless town of Montegiallo, with its dodgy real estate business, gossiping expat community, good-natured priest, and unreliable tradesmen. Brian tries so hard to be liked, learning new Italian words, eating local food, and bravely attending the local mass.
I love McDonald’s writing style, where he embellishes Brian’s observations of everyday life with italicised words that show the main character’s true feelings and fears. This feature often made me smile as I sympathised with Brian and felt as if I was part of the action.
The title of the book gives a hint of Brian’s success in bringing the community together. It is both audacious and uproarious. McDonald describes the chaos with passion and humour. I look forward to the next international romp from Andrew McDonald.
(4/5)
Brian Chapman purchases a villa in Montegiallo, Sicily after a late night drinking session with his best friend Toby. This is akin to buying an item on eBay without really thinking it through. Accidentally buying a Sicilian villa for just one euro, however, is on another level. After a very long flight to Sicily, Brian discovers Montegiallo is a town with tumbledown buildings, a shortage of tradesmen, and resentful locals. Brian’s drunken impulse is starting to look like the biggest mistake of his life to date. However, he is determined to change from “Old Brian,” the disillusioned and recently divorced teacher, to “New Brian,” a more vibrant and animated individual. Short of funds after purchasing essential items and paying for repairs, Brian reverts to his previous profession for the necessary finances – only this time with a twist.
Andrew HC McDonald has written an entertaining and hilarious page-turner, delivering profound insight into Brian’s emotional state and his outlook on this new chapter in his life.
The characters in the story – the locals and expat English, American, and various other nationalities- are all wonderfully described. I would unconditionally recommend the book to all readers who enjoy light-hearted contemporary fiction.
(3/5)
Set in rural Sicily, the main character Brian narrates his journey from a recent Melbournian divorcee across the globe to a barely liveable abode. He drunkenly takes up an online offer for a 1-euro house where Italians are attempting to repopulate villages deserted by the young people and the elderly slowly dying off. Brian confronts themes of cultural differences, language, and a touch of romance with plenty of stereotypical male Aussieness.
I was often left wondering how Brian managed the day-to-day after arriving at a near-empty house with only minimal luggage. On the first trip to the supermarket the next day, he gets only cleaning products, beer, and a few sandwiches. Whilst a little slow to begin, the reader is soon emersed in rural village life, with many a personality for Brian to content with, not least-of-all the community dislike of foreigners. Although the characters are fairly one-dimensional, a school of swearing is entertaining, and at times, the interactions create laugh-out-loud moments.
Overall, The Montegiallo School of Swearing would appeal to readers of travel romance or colloquial Australian adventures. It’s an easy read, perfect for a lazy weekend, on the commute to and from work, or perhaps on a plane journey to Sicily.
(4/5)
This was such a fun read, I wasn’t expecting to enjoy it as much as I did. The last third in particular had lots of laugh out loud moments. The main character Brian Chapman, after a divorce and quitting his teaching job, about to be homeless, buys a one euro house in Sicily after a drunken night out. The swearing school doesn’t start till late in the book but with the help of the Angels and lots of Aussie expressions like ‘we’re not here to fuck spiders’ Brian has the locals swearing at each other and the other obnoxious expats (English and Americans) who also bought one euro houses. Great fun read.
(3/5)
This was not the usual style of book I would pick up off the shelves, so I am cautious of this in my feedback. The pace was slow for my liking, and the writing around the characters was simple and did not dive into anything really beyond the surface, so I found I couldn’t really get into the novel. However, there is great creativity in taking the idea of escaping a life going downhill and travelling to another country to start over – especially in a mysterious mansion for the bargain of 1 euro. Also noted that it would be difficult to start afresh with limited knowledge of the Italian language, which I found thought-provoking. If I were a reader in this genre, I would appreciate an easy read, subjective humour with the swearing lessons blending languages, cultures, and a unique sense of community.
(5/5)
This was hilarious!
It was a pure delight being in the company of the ever-optimistic Brian Chapman. Being an unemployed divorcee about to be evicted won’t knock him down. Neither will a late night drunken impulse purchase of a one euro ramshackle villa in Central Sicily. Neither will being a social pariah, unwelcome by the Sicilian locals and disliking the company of the other one-euro ex-pats.
By embracing his situation, learning the language, and immersing himself into local culture, Brian is able to carve out a fairly fabulous new life. Further helped by giving a spontaneous English swearing lesson at the local bar. Who would have thought profanity would be so beneficial for assimilation? Yes, it’s ridiculous, but so much more entertaining than Eat, Pray, Love.
It actually did feel like an accurate portrayal of the challenges of the one euro scheme, whilst highlighting some very lovely benefits. And yes, much enthusiastically cheerful swearing to be had.
(3/5)
Immediately, the analogy Eat, Pray, Love appealed. This book is about a 39-year-old Australian male, faced with divorce, no career, and about to be homeless. After a drunken night, he buys a house in Sicily for 1 euro! Despite the hefty renovation requirement and the deposit, he eventually decides to make the most of it.
I really enjoyed the highs and lows of negotiating life in a small village where the locals were not so friendly, the expats very cliquey, and his grasp of the Italian language very limited. I was with him every step of the way, initially. The second part, the swearing school, I could not imagine. It seemed farcical, unrelatable. However, it should be noted that I am older, and I swear very little.
If you like your comedy laced with lots of words and phrases that are very rude and insulting, you may find this an easy read, a laugh out loud, very entertaining book. And, of course, there is lots to learn and enjoy about life in Sicily.
(5/5)
The Montegiallo School of Swearing by Andrew HC McDonald is a rollercoaster riot of fun! From the setup to the play-by-play in the chapters, you can tell this book is by an author who knows how to write a great comedy set. It had me laughing out loud and was well and truly a five-star book for me.
I was drawn into the beautifully depicted setting of Montegiallo to the point where I was searching online to find out if this was a real or wonderfully created town. I loved the cast of characters, where even the ‘bad guys’ are redeemable. I want there to be a follow-up book so I know where they are now and what adventures have ensued since the humour-filled but satisfying ending to this story.
I’ve been drawn in hook, line, and sinker by the skill Andrew HC McDonald displayed as a comedic author. It has shone in the creation of this entertaining, moving, and highly readable narrative. There is both depth and a lightness to this book that makes me want to share it with friends and discuss it at book club.
(5/5)
Oh, how frustrated I was to start reading this book on a busy week, so I could not just sit down and enjoy reading it continuously nonstop. An ideal book for plane flights, except your laughing may bother those nearby. I even crept out of bed in the middle of the early morning to read some more chapters, so compelled I was to find out what happened next. I wanted to pack my bags and go on an adventure. It was always so engaging, with twists and turns.
This book will encourage you to make a change. It could better you and a whole community. Suitable for everyone to read, and I can’t wait to share it around.
Andrew needs to be congratulated on the success of his first novel. I can’t wait to put my glasses on for his next novel. And many more!! What will the subjects be? I just have to now go and research more about Andrew HC McDonald.
(3/5)
They say you can’t judge a book by its cover. In this case, you can’t judge The Montegiallo School of Swearing by its title. I kept wondering what relevance the title had to the story. About halfway through, it became clear. The story before that was quite fascinating, and the characters were quite interesting people. I found myself smiling at times at some of the senses and at the dialogue between the various people in the remote Italian village. Once the reason for the title became clear, the School for Swearing was a novel concept that gave a whole different feel to the story. Of course, only an Australian could have been the teacher at this school. As for the romance between the two main characters, the outcome was obvious from very early in the book, but it made me feel good.
If you ever wanted to live in a small village in Italy, or probably quite a few other European countries, but wanted to know what it might be like before you went, this might be just the book for you. The bonus is that you’ll probably enjoy reading it as well.
(4/5)
Andrew McDonald’s The Montegiallo School of Swearing is a hilarious and heartfelt dive into small-town Italian life, told through the lens of an emotionally scarred Australian teacher who buys a rundown home in Montegiallo for one euro, hoping for la dolce vita, but instead stumbling into a world of expressive locals, deeply rooted traditions and prejudices.
To earn some money Brian starts a school dedicated to the poetic craft of profanity where swearing is not just tolerated but taught as both art and philosophy. Beneath the absurdity lies a sincere reflection on expression, belonging, and what it means to start over in an unfamiliar place. It’s an entertaining read that captures the magic of reinvention—and a few swear words you’ll never forget.
McDonald blends laugh-out-loud humour with cultural commentary, using the clash between Aussie straightforwardness, Expat obliviousness, and Italian theatricality to great effect. The novel celebrates language in all its messy, passionate glory, revealing how even the crudest words can hold nuance, history, and heart.
Packed with eccentric characters and razor-sharp dialogue, it is as charming as it is cheeky. The ending was a bit rushed and predictable, but still a great read.
(3/5)
Brian is a hard-drinking, swearing, English teacher, nearly forty, and recently divorced Australian. A purchase for one dollar of a mansion in Sicily, best known as the home of the Italian Mafia, sets Brian on a journey and a new life.
Arriving at his hillside run-down villa with eight bedrooms and seven bathrooms, he finds one working toilet and a dodgy electrical supply. The need for tradies is a driving force that he shares with other expatriates – English and Americans – in the village.
Unlike the other expats who stick together in their enclave, complaining about the poor attitude of the locals, Brian, with his limited grasp of Italian, explores the village impressed by the female real estate agent, local café and shop owners, and the priest.
Needing to pay for repairs and renovations, Brian hits upon the idea of adult evening classes teaching the locals the correct pronunciation, tone, and emphasis for Aussie expletives, especially four-letter words and insulting remarks. Classes were successful but resulted in extreme and inappropriate overuse, leading to tension and wide repercussions throughout the village but resolved with a happy ending for everyone.
(5/5)
Recently divorced, unemployed, and soon to be homeless, runner-up Victorian teacher of the year Brian Chapman has hit rock bottom, as his friend informs him over margaritas and tuna bake. So, what to do? Well, Brian, in a margarita-soaked haze, accidently purchases a dilapidated 8-bedroom 6-bathroom complete with gold bidet Vila in rural Sicily for 1 euro. With nothing to lose, Brian takes the plunge and heads to Italy, armed with only his enthusiasm to become a new Brian and his primary school copy of Italian grammar. What follows are the out loud results of the awkward scenarios Brian finds himself bumbling through whilst trying to integrate with the locals, woo the glamorous local real estate agent and teach his ‘special’ English classes that prove the power of words and how they can bring people together.
I really enjoyed The Montegiallo School of Swearing. It is such a cleverly written book, full of humour and wonderful, quirky characters that I came to love. The Montegiallo School of Swearing is Andrew HC McDonald’s first novel, and I can’t wait for his next one.
(5/5)
After a night commiserating about his divorce and property settlement, Brian woke up to discover that, in his drunken state, he had bought a one Euro house in rural Sicily. It’s not a sensible or smart thing to do, but he’s got nothing left in his old life, and he’s ready for a fresh start. It’s worth giving it a go, right?! So armed with a Skeletor figurine as a good-luck charm and his battered high-school copy of ‘Personal Italian Grammar,’ the New Brian flew halfway around the world to explore his new palazzo in Montegiallo, Italy.
The Montegiallo School of Swearing is warm and funny and will have you dreaming of sunny, dusty piazzas nestled amongst lemon groves. There is a big cast of vividly drawn supporting characters, from the locals (who held this newcomer with suspicion) to a cliquey group of snooty British and American expats. I loved the book because I found Brian so likeable and relatable – he’s going through a tough time, but he is still trying his best. He respects the local culture and tries to fit in. He makes you want to cheer him on.
The plot revolves around some popular tropes but is never predictable; the swearing adds a surprising element that is funny and a very loving tribute to Aussie culture; everything builds to a satisfying conclusion. This is a quick, fun read that will have you cheering for Brian from start to finish.
(4/5)
This is a hilarious read!
Brian is sick of his life in Melbourne, so one drunken night, he buys a one-euro villa in Montegiallo.
Brian is in a run-down pub near his new villa and inadvertently starts teaching swearing to the Italians. It is so funny that you want to pull up a barstool and join in on the swearing classes! Things go haywire, and Brian gets in a bit too deep by not following the rules of his new town.
I absolutely loved this book! You’ll want to keep reading to see what he gets up to next. I’d love to see a sequel!
(4/5)
After a drunken night out with his best friend, recently divorced high school teacher Brian purchases a one-euro house in Sicily. Although appalled by his purchase in the cold light of day, he decides to proceed, determined to make a new life for himself.
Brian is an amusing and likeable main character, and the supporting cast of locals and expats are colourful and entertaining – and there’s even a burgeoning romance to navigate.
Particularly enjoyable are the male friendships depicted in the book, from Brian’s loyal friend in Australia, Toby, to his newfound friends in Italy, which include a surly bar owner, local tradies, and even the parish priest!
This debut novel was a delight – a warm, feel-good read with plenty of heart and lots of laugh-out-loud moments (the scene with a packed bar full of locals singing along to the Angels’ famous anthem ‘Am I ever Gonna See your Face Again’ was hilarious!). I’d love to return to Montegiallo, and I truly hope the author has a sequel in the pipeline!
(4/5)
If you’ve ever thought the answer to life’s problems involved crumbling villas, dodgy plumbing, and a lot of badly translated Italian, meet Brian Chapman – a man brave (or daft) enough to find out.
After a messy divorce, Brian, a Melbourne English teacher, snaps up a derelict house in the sleepy Sicilian town of Montegiallo for one euro. What was supposed to be a fresh start quickly turns into falling ceilings, suspicious locals, and a healthy dose of regret. His Italian is hopeless. His renovation skills are worse. But somehow – mostly by accident – Brian sets up an English ‘school’ that specialises in teaching the locals how to swear properly.
Brian is a brilliant character: kind, awkward, stubborn, and endlessly well-meaning. He stumbles through his new life with a mix of optimism and total chaos, and it’s impossible not to root for him. Watching him try to explain the difference between a mild insult and a truly offensive one to a group of sharp-witted nonnas is worth the price of the book alone.
Andrew McDonald’s writing is bright, witty, and packed with heart. The humour never feels forced – it bubbles up naturally from the characters and the crazy situations Brian lands in. The village of Montegiallo itself is as much a character as anyone, full of nosy neighbours, slow afternoons, and a whole lot of pasta.
Rather than a polished ‘life makeover’ story, The Montegiallo School of Swearing celebrates the messy, funny, imperfect parts of starting over. It’s easy to read, endlessly charming, and will leave you smiling – and maybe muttering a few colourful phrases under your breath.
A feel-good, laugh-out-loud story about new beginnings, strange towns, and the unexpected friendships that help you find your place in the world.
(5/5)
This was such a fun read – quirky characters, great locations, bad guys and good guys, and of course, the best English language curriculum ever. Oh, and romance and rags to riches. I really hope there is such a retreat, somewhere in the world. The descriptions of places and buildings were well-written and evocative, and the dialogue was excellent. A fabulous cast of characters – I love a book where I can relate to the people in it. Funny, clever, and fantastical – I loved it.