When I first picked up Cappuccino and Porridge, I was all set to don my chef hat and ready myself for a new breakfast recipe – but never judge a book by its cover.
The name Cappuccino and Porridge is, in fact, a hint at a beautiful melange of Italian and Scottish heritage.
Inspired by his father from Harris, his step-father from Skye and his father-in-law from Tuscany, this is a heart-warming tale, exploring how the experiences of these three men in World War II would eventually have a remarkable influence on the life of the author.
The story begins in modern-day Edinburgh, where MacKenzie – a former legal expert – has lived following on from his early years in Banff shire and Dumfriesshire.
He talks fondly of his life in the capital, noting everything from its resident otters to its quirky residents.
The next section then goes back in time to World War II where we hear the story of MacKenzie’s father John who was in the Royal Air Force and held prisoner during the war.
Hearing what he experienced makes for a saddening read as excerpts from his diary are referenced throughout.
The book then moves on to the experiences of the author’s father-in-law during the war in Italy and his step-father who served as a chaplin in the army.
All three narratives had a vast impact on the author’s life – the most significant of all being the day he met his future wife.
It is the love story with his Italian wife, who is affectionately known as Ale, that MacKenzie ends on. One might assume that the flitting between time periods and characters would be hard to follow, but MacKenzie’s beautiful writing makes the flow seamless.
Following the different accounts and watching them intertwine makes for compelling reading.
In the introduction, it is expressed that the purpose of this book is to pay homage to both MacKenzie and Ale’s parents through sharing their stories and experiences in the war.
Undoubtedly, their stories have been told eloquently and this is a glowing tribute.
The inclusion of family photographs in the last third of the book adds a personal, human touch and really helps bring each of their glowing faces to life.
It is clear how much every person mentioned in this book means to the MacKenzie – this really is a story told from the heart.
Cappuccino and Porridge: Tuscany and Harris – the Lands of our Fathers, by Duncan Mackenzie, published by Acair Books, £15.95.
[review rating=”4″ align = “left”]
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