Search - Under the Tuscan Sun: At Home in Italy

I had mixed feelings about this book. Clearly, Frances Mayes is a talented writer. She has an amazing ability to portray her travel experiences with poetic narrative, a talent not all writers possess. As much as I enjoyed her writing style, however, I found myself skimming through much of this book, particularly where food was the main focus, perhaps due to the fact that I do not cook much. Her descriptions of the life and food of Tuscany did not make me yearn to cook, but it did make me hunger for Italian food and to visit the country someday. I did thoroughly enjoy reading of the restoration mishaps, as I have had some experience with do-it-yourself projects gone awry myself! If you enjoy books about travel and cooking, you may enjoy this book. I highly recommend the movie starring Diane Lane, loved it!

I absolutely loved this book and have another copy on my keeper shelf! I think this is a must-read for anyone who loves travelogues or Italy. Just be warned...reading this book will make you hungry for food you can't find easily in this country!

This fascinating story gives you insight into Italy and its countryside, plus some excellent recipes from the area.

If a great, big helping of the warmth and beauty of Italy is what you crave, then don’t skip on the satisfying treat of Under the Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayes. It is a delightfully alluring memoir about an American couple who revives an old farmhouse in Italy. Mayes serves generous descriptions of the splendor of Tuscany and blends it together with a remodeling undertaking, and the pleasure of simply delicious Italian meals. If you've seen the movie first, you may be slightly disappointed. While the book and the movie are mostly similar in the renovations and the culinary feasts, the greatest difference is that the author’s journey is not a quest to find herself; she was already further along that road in the book. Frances Mayes buys the home with her husband and together they renovate the farmhouse while delving into a quiet, Italian existence. Read other reviews at http://readinginthegarden.blogspot.com

Wonderful memoir of author's adventures in restoring house in Tuscany. Great insight into the Italian way of life. Much better than the movie!

Book was nicely written, but I grew bored of the long descriptions of food and cooking. Most interesting parts were when she wrote about Italy itself and the towns they traveled to.