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Under the Tuscan Sun
 
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Under the Tuscan Sun (Paperback)

by Frances Mayes (Author)
3.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (25 customer reviews)

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Product details

  • Paperback: 304 pages
  • Publisher: Broadway Books (A Division of Bantam Doubleday Del; 1st Broadway Books Trade Pbk. Ed edition (Oct 1997)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 0767900383
  • ISBN-13: 978-0767900386
  • Product Dimensions: 20.3 x 13.2 x 1.3 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 597,789 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Product Description

Amazon.co.uk Review
In this memoir of her buying, renovating and living in an abandoned villa in Tuscany, Frances Mayes reveals the sensual pleasure she found living in rural Italy and the generous spirit she brought with her. She revels in the sunlight and the colour, the long view of her valley, the warm homey architecture, the languor of the slow paced days, the vigor of working her garden and the intimacy of her dealings with the locals. Cooking, gardening, tiling and painting are never chores, but skills to be learned, arts to be practiced and above all to be enjoyed. At the same time Mayes brings a literary and intellectual mind to bear on the experience, adding depth to this account of her enticing rural idyll. --Amazon.com --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Review
A "New York Times" Notable Book of 1997
"This beautifully written memoir about taking chances, living in Italy. loving a house and, always, the pleasures of food, would make a perfect gift for a loved one. But it's so delicious, read it first yourself."
"--USA Today"
"Irresistible...a sensous book for a sensous countryside."
"--Minneapolis Star-Tribune"
"An intense celebration of what [Mayes] calls 'the voluptuousness of Italian life'."
"--The New York Times Book Review"
"Armchair travel at its most enticing."
"--Booklist"
"Mayes [has] perfect vision."
"--Los Angeles Times"

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Under the Tuscan Sun 3.4 out of 5 stars (25)
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Customer Reviews

25 Reviews
5 star:
 (6)
4 star:
 (7)
3 star:
 (7)
2 star:
 (2)
1 star:
 (3)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
3.4 out of 5 stars (25 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
12 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Evocative and poetic account of the expat life in Italy, 9 Feb 2001
This review is from: Under the Tuscan Sun (Paperback)
This is the first of now 3 books written about Mayes purchasing, renovation and living in an old villa in Tuscany. There are plenty of these sorts of books around at the moment but this is probably one of the better ones.

First of all it should be made clear that this book is about privileged expats living in Italy, it is not about life in Italy at all. Mayes does write with a lovely lyrical style, it is very poetic; strained at times, a bit forced and trite in places, but overall the writing is very pleasing to read. Mayes cleverly evokes delightful scenes and is particularly expert at bringing incredible meals wafting off the pages.

I talked about this book with my brother and he mentioned that he found Mayes too smug. I think he is right, she is smug, but oddly enough I didn't mind that at all. If I ever fulfil my dream to own a house in Italy (Umbria not Tuscany!) I think I will allow myself to be a little smug too.

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18 of 24 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars Joyless and very American, 5 Aug 2001
By L. Day "Bookworm" (Scotland) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
This review is from: Under the Tuscan Sun (Paperback)
I would only buy this if you have already read Driving over lemons, the Mayle books and the Peter Kerr books - all are far more fun however if you are desperate for a tale of the sunshine and have read the good ones ...

It's unusual for me to care so little about the main people in a book - but frankly I wouldn't have cared if the roof had fallen in on her!

It would be a long way down my list of recommendations. And it is very rare that I put a 'don't buy' review up -this I think is my first!

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7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars A Delightful Journey -- An Inspriation, 6 Sep 1999
By A Customer
This review is from: Under the Tuscan Sun: 2000 Engagement Calendar (Calendar)
Instantly I felt transported to a wonderful countryside. The descriptives had me aching to be in Tuscany and enjoying the delights of the people, foods, history, churches, homes, beaches... Thank you, Frances Mayes, for sharing such an intimate part of your life, not to mention the recipes! I bought herb plants and a mini food processor during my reading -- the pesto is exquisite! Many thanks...
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Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
 
 
 
Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent reading and great film to watch
I saw the film first on tv and had to go and buy the book and dvd immediately, thank goodness for Amazon on line. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Morticia DeCat

3.0 out of 5 stars Tuscany to be seen..
Someone wrote that se's smug.Exactly what I thought myself.The typical American career woman that just brags about her success. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Miranda

5.0 out of 5 stars Escape with Frances Mayes
Frances Mayes, an American professor in her late 40's, buys a derelict house near the Tuscan village of Cortona. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Kittycat

3.0 out of 5 stars A Good Start!
I found this book quite funny at the beginning. As a foreigner living in Italy for these last 12 years I laughed out loud reading those everyday life incidents and lets call them... Read more
Published 11 months ago by Acquafortis

4.0 out of 5 stars Very evocative
I can't imagine why anyone would not have liked this book, I found that it made me absolutely LONG to be in Italy, and was so very evocative and beautifully written. Read more
Published on 15 Jan 2007 by Beryl Baird

1.0 out of 5 stars Is there more to this than meets the eye?
What a great subject... this has got to be a good read. But no I am afraid not. I tried really hard, Frances, but had to give up at about page 50 before my brain turned to mush. Read more
Published on 25 Mar 2006 by Alta Vista

5.0 out of 5 stars Constructing a dream
A classic in its genre, this calm and soothing read is a chamomile tonic for a stressed out life. Frances and her partner Ed live a dual life re-building a ruin in Tuscany with... Read more
Published on 6 Mar 2006 by Joe Smart

2.0 out of 5 stars Is it just me, or is this book hard work?!
I found this book really hard going. It was a tremendous effort to keep reading, but I had to give up halfway through. Read more
Published on 11 Feb 2006 by Avid Reader

5.0 out of 5 stars A book to make you slow down and count your blessings
I've been listening to a CD version of this book recently, and have been quite charmed by it. The reader's (Barbara Caruso)mellifluous and precise voice coupled with the fairly... Read more
Published on 23 Sep 2005 by FIONA STOW

4.0 out of 5 stars A treat for the senses
Under the Tuscan Sun is a wonderful, vibrant book which made me long to return to Tuscany. Mayes and her partner buy the ramshackel villa in the Tuscan country side. Read more
Published on 9 Jun 2004 by K. Wilson

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