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.

Not at all like the movie... it is a true story though. The writer describes the landscape and life in Tuscany in a way that makes you feel you have been there yourself. There are some awesome recipes included throughout the book.

Reading this book will make you hungry for Tuscan cuisine, sleepy for a siesta, and a desire to go house hunting in Tuscan Italy. Live vicariously through Frances Mayes' journal.

If you love good (esp. Italian) food and have ever thought of living in Italy, this book is a must. Some of the author's favorite Italian recipes are included.

The author (who also has published cookbooks) and her husband buy an abandoned farmhouse in Tuscany and spend years making it - and Italy - home.

If you saw the movie, you still need to read the book, which is completely different. The book will make you want to chuck it all and move to Italy and live the charmed life (just make sure you have boatloads of money). Truly delightful, and will make you envious.

Great for traveling! Light read that is better than the movie. Made me yearn for Italy!

Really graceful writing, you can tell she is a poet.

I reads this while in Italy and enjoyed every second of the read. It will inspire you to go see it yourself.

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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.

This book not only gives and accurate description of the Italian country side but has great recipes.

I suppose I should have read the book before I watched the movie. I absolutely love the movie but I thought the book left a lot to be desired. I couldn't get through the entire book. I tried but quickly lost interested. I'm glad to see that so many people enjoyed it but for me; I'll stick with the movie.

So I saw the title and thought, "what a great movie, I bet the book will be awesome." Needless to say, they were nothing alike, but I was pleasantly surprised, surprised to find that I would actually enjoy a book like this. I always wanted to go to Italy and this book just established that want even more. Loved it!!!

Great recipes!!

It is warm and wonderful here.

I wanted to move to Italy after reading this book.

GOING TO FRANCE, YOU MUST READ THIS BOOK

Different than the movie, but that fact does not take anything away from the book in it own right. A great summer read for those "beach days" coming up!

A good book, but I liked the movie better.

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