From Scratch: A Memoir of Love, Sicily, and Finding Home

Discuss the book’s title and subtitle. How does Tembi start her life “from scratch”? What aspects of her life after losing Saro are built on a preexisting foundation?

Address the importance and function of food in Tembi’s memoir. In what ways does food serve as a metaphor for the subtler aspects of human interaction?

Saro and Tembi fall in love despite their cultural differences. How does Tembi navigate linguistic, racial, and class barriers when dealing with Saro and his family? When does she feel most like an outsider? When does she fit in?

Discuss the individual ways in which Tembi, Zoela, and Croce deal with the grief of losing Saro. How does grief bring them closer together?

How does Zoela comfort and challenge Tembi after Saro’s death?

Given her strained relationship with Saro’s family, why does Tembi travel to Sicily for three consecutive summers after Saro’s death? How does her attitude toward Sicily and her experiences of the island change over time?

Discuss the evolution of Tembi’s relationship with Croce. What are the pivotal moments in their relationship?

What is the significance of Croce signing her house over to Tembi and Zoela? How does this act relate to Tembi’s concept of family, home, and belonging?