Julian Stannard taught English and American Literature at the University of Genoa for many years. After publishing Rina's War (Peterloo Poets, 2001) and The Red Zone (Peterloo Poets, 2007) the Parrots of Villa Gruber Discover Lapis Lazuli completes his Genoese trilogy. This latest book also considers the peculiarities of being back in England. His writings have appeared in the Guardian, Times Literary Supplement, Spectator, Sunday Telegraph, Poetry Review, Ambit, and Nuova Corrente.