europe

Reading this book was like being submerged in a warm scented bath. As I read it, I felt like I was being born along on a raft on a sleepy, sunny summer day. It reads like a stream of consciousness, and I found it easiest to just dip in and out of it. There did not seem to be any linear organization, but the poetry of Mayes' prose compensated for that nicely. Don't expect the book to "pick up" at any point, it maintains the same leisurely pace until the end. Do however, expect your mouth to start watering, as Mayes describes her meals (many recipes are provided, as well). No matter how much of a carnivore you are, you will probably find yourself craving pasta with fresh tomato, basil and olives.

The nice thing about this book is just as you find yourself envying Mayes for her luck in finding this house, you get a description of the temperamental plumbing or disappearing workmen, and you think twice about going out and plunking down your life savings into a house in Italy. Her renovations on the house were anything but a smooth ride.

I haven't seen the film, but I recommend the book.

Even if you never plan to visit Tuscany, it is worthwhile to saturate yourself in Tuscan sunshine, inhale the aromas of Italian meals and feel the heartbeat of the countryside by reading this book. Mayes' words are so evocative that the scenes she describes transport you from your armchair to Tuscany immediately.
I put off reading this for quite a while thinking it must surely be overhyped. I'm glad I got past that and allowed myself the pleasure of seeing Tuscany through Frances Mayes' eyes.
I think some of the negative reviews on Amazon carry overtones of jealousy. Sure we would all love to have the funds to have a second home in a scenic spot on the planet. Wouldn't we enjoy having the summer off to indulge ourselves playing lord of the manor? I sure would, but reading her book gave me the chance to experience it vicariously and I thank her for that.

The content of this is very good - but don't read it when you are travelling along empty stretches of highways and you are hungry! It's torture! I have read the first in this series -Under the Tuscan Sun and listened to the audio of In Tuscany, read by the author. I think another reviewer commented that F. Mayes obviously does not speak Italian. Well, I'm not sure whether she does or doesn't but I can certify that she has absolutely no Italian accent. Not a shred. I found that the audio was not as appealing as it might have been had it been read by someone else with a better acting voice and a facility for an Italian accent for the Italian phrases.