Maria Strani-Potts, a worldly insider, vividly captures the colour and texture of Corfu life post-World War II. She offers insights into traditions, customs and history. Through all these lives stalks the cat of Portovecchio, Mamee, imperious and opportunistic, both loved and reviled by the villagers. She hunts for food as the aroma of cooking wafts through the air. Live lambs and turkeys disappear into roasts, stews and soups. Families enjoy just-picked summer vegetables in fresh tomato sauce; octopus dipped in vinegar; lobster; grilled snapper; ‘small, stout, dark red’ salami in which ‘the white fat stands out against the ruby red meat like rich spotted marble’.