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Under the Tuscan Sun: At Home in Italy
Under the Tuscan Sun At Home in Italy
Author: Frances Mayes
Frances Mayes -- widely published poet, gourmet cook, and travel writer -- opens the door to a wondrous new world when she buys and restores an abandoned villa in the spectacular Tuscan countryside. In sensuous and evocative language, she brings the reader along as she discovers the beauty and simplicity of life in Italy. An accomplished cook an...  more »
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ISBN-13: 9780767900386
ISBN-10: 0767900383
Publication Date: 9/1/1997
Pages: 280
Rating:
  • Currently 3.4/5 Stars.
 502

3.4 stars, based on 502 ratings
Publisher: Broadway Books/Bantam/Doubleday/Dell Pub Group
Book Type: Paperback
Other Versions: Hardcover
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

Bibliocrates avatar reviewed Under the Tuscan Sun: At Home in Italy on + 252 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 10
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!
reviewed Under the Tuscan Sun: At Home in Italy on + 189 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 6
This fascinating story gives you insight into Italy and its countryside, plus some excellent recipes from the area.
reviewed Under the Tuscan Sun: At Home in Italy on + 377 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 6
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!
reviewed Under the Tuscan Sun: At Home in Italy on
Helpful Score: 5
This book was delightful to me. I am interested in history, gardening, cooking, and fixing old houses, and Frances Mayes weaves all these together in this story of her home in Tuscany. Almost like going on vacation.
reviewed Under the Tuscan Sun: At Home in Italy on + 23 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
Lots of fun to read--you feel like you are in Italy!
Read All 119 Book Reviews of "Under the Tuscan Sun At Home in Italy"

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reviewed Under the Tuscan Sun: At Home in Italy on
This book, while lacking in a plot or real narrative thread, has beautiful descriptions of life in the Tuscan countryside. It made me want to pack up every thing and start my own new life.
reviewed Under the Tuscan Sun: At Home in Italy on
Wonderful memoir of author's adventures in restoring house in Tuscany. Great insight into the Italian way of life. Much better than the movie!
reviewed Under the Tuscan Sun: At Home in Italy on
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.
MarieSeagull avatar reviewed Under the Tuscan Sun: At Home in Italy on + 19 more book reviews
This book not only gives and accurate description of the Italian country side but has great recipes.
edbulmer avatar reviewed Under the Tuscan Sun: At Home in Italy on + 2 more book reviews
If you've seen the movie you have to read the book. It's even better.
zerorugrats avatar reviewed Under the Tuscan Sun: At Home in Italy on
I guess I expected this book to be more of a story than it was. Having lived in Italy for 3 years as a service member, and learned to speak Italian, the descriptions of the people and the towns were pretty accurate. I don't think the decription of the attitude of the contractors was accurate though. I found Italians are a hard working, generous people who enjoy life with gusto. This book seems more bragging about how much money they have to spend than anything else and how many "famous" people they know. The recipies are wonderful, IF you love to cook. Overall, it was dissapointing and boring.
reviewed Under the Tuscan Sun: At Home in Italy on + 17 more book reviews
How exciting would it be to get away from it all and go to Italy and buy an abandoned villa in the Tuscan countryside! A girl can always dream.
reviewed Under the Tuscan Sun: At Home in Italy on + 54 more book reviews
Most important - read the book on its own merits - it is nothing like the movie. Dig in and enjoy being transported to a world you can only imagine being able to afford... buying an old, dilapidated home in central Italy that you get to transform into a dream home to live in every summer. Her descriptions of the Italian villages, countryside and foods will leave you truly yearning to visit.


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