What do you think?
Rate this book
Tuscany for Beginners-Early Export
Flame 2004 paperback, fine In stock shipped from our UK warehouse
291 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2004
6 people are currently reading
110 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
July 20, 2009
My sister is currently in Rome for the next month so when I found this novel set in Tuscany at the library, I scooped it up. So far I hate the main character and not really motivated to continue the book but it is a pretty short book so I guess I will keep going to the end. Hopefully the protaganist will "grow" as the story develops but so far she is vain, treats her daughter like crap, snobbish, has an over-inflated opinion of herself, and writes lies in her own diary. She is super annoying.
well I just finished the book last night and I still hate the main character and her nemesis. The end was anticimatic. This was a complete waste of my time. I am usually very easy to entertain but this book did not entertain me in the slightest.
well I just finished the book last night and I still hate the main character and her nemesis. The end was anticimatic. This was a complete waste of my time. I am usually very easy to entertain but this book did not entertain me in the slightest.
May 11, 2010
It's tough to like a book when the main character is actually pretty repulsive, and quite the liar. Then, it is even harder when a second strong character comes along that you don't like any better than the first, but the two of them are locked in social and business-level battle.
The story was touted as being humorous, and some of the descriptions were outrageous, and the literary equivalent of watching someone chew with their mouth open, but I didn't actually find much of it to be funny.
It had some okay side-bits, and a slightly okay romance, and the ending was not wrapped up in a little bow, which was quite nice.
The story was touted as being humorous, and some of the descriptions were outrageous, and the literary equivalent of watching someone chew with their mouth open, but I didn't actually find much of it to be funny.
It had some okay side-bits, and a slightly okay romance, and the ending was not wrapped up in a little bow, which was quite nice.
August 15, 2022
I couldn’t finish this book. The premise sounded great, which is why I picked it up, but the main character is a foreigner in Italy and hates everyone that isn’t from her home country.
I guess it’s supposed to be ironic or something, I just found it rude and unnecessary.
I guess it’s supposed to be ironic or something, I just found it rude and unnecessary.
January 15, 2018
The best thing about this light read, is that the main character is (and is supposed to be) totally unlikeable....but she doesn't know it, lol.
June 27, 2018
Entertaining...but the character was very bothersome.
February 26, 2020
Very funny. Lovely light read
August 4, 2023
Light hearted holiday read , very funny and jovial.
May 3, 2025
6,75/10
March 8, 2014
1.5 stars ...
Typical Edwards-Jones: Candace Bushnell quote on cover raving about book, British main character, subtle unpleasantness to story. Not quality or uplifting writing, but like junk food, something unhealthy makes you want to consume it.
Under the Tuscan sun is referenced on first page of the book, but this book was nothing like it. The main character is completely unlikable. She is a pompous, self-centered idiot who isn’t comfortable unless she is controlling everyone around her. She is really cruel to her own daughter. I didn’t understand why everyone enabled her. She reminded me of a certain MIL - delusions of greatness, bulling others. This book definitely didn’t help me think patient or kind thoughts.
F-word used, lesbian “colony” in town, frequent alcohol abuse, drugs, Sex-in-the-City morality. I had to skim/skip frequent creepy descriptions of the male body & descriptions of sexual acts.
The story reminded me of an unpleasant weekend my husband and I spent at a B&B. It wasn’t this disastrous, but the hostess kept trying to talk to us & expected us to entertain her as if we were freeloading friends and not paying guests. And she made some outlandish anti-religious and political statements! I doubt we will ever stay at a B&B again. This book confirmed how poorly the experience can go.
Toward the end, I wasn’t sure if the book was trying to mimic Romeo & Juliet... it kind of rambled and then ended. I was expecting a big clash with the nemesis and subsequent humiliation. Instead, there was just a totally random twist and a whimper ending. [An earthquake knocks down Belinda's B&B, so she moved in with Lauren.] There were also a couple negative George Bush comments thrown in randomly at the end. That significantly downgraded it for me. It had an element of comedy to it (a la Bridget Jones) but was spiteful and mean spirited.
Typical Edwards-Jones: Candace Bushnell quote on cover raving about book, British main character, subtle unpleasantness to story. Not quality or uplifting writing, but like junk food, something unhealthy makes you want to consume it.
Under the Tuscan sun is referenced on first page of the book, but this book was nothing like it. The main character is completely unlikable. She is a pompous, self-centered idiot who isn’t comfortable unless she is controlling everyone around her. She is really cruel to her own daughter. I didn’t understand why everyone enabled her. She reminded me of a certain MIL - delusions of greatness, bulling others. This book definitely didn’t help me think patient or kind thoughts.
F-word used, lesbian “colony” in town, frequent alcohol abuse, drugs, Sex-in-the-City morality. I had to skim/skip frequent creepy descriptions of the male body & descriptions of sexual acts.
The story reminded me of an unpleasant weekend my husband and I spent at a B&B. It wasn’t this disastrous, but the hostess kept trying to talk to us & expected us to entertain her as if we were freeloading friends and not paying guests. And she made some outlandish anti-religious and political statements! I doubt we will ever stay at a B&B again. This book confirmed how poorly the experience can go.
Toward the end, I wasn’t sure if the book was trying to mimic Romeo & Juliet... it kind of rambled and then ended. I was expecting a big clash with the nemesis and subsequent humiliation. Instead, there was just a totally random twist and a whimper ending. [An earthquake knocks down Belinda's B&B, so she moved in with Lauren.] There were also a couple negative George Bush comments thrown in randomly at the end. That significantly downgraded it for me. It had an element of comedy to it (a la Bridget Jones) but was spiteful and mean spirited.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 24, 2009
Picked this up while on vacation, 'left-over' book from another tourist. I read nother book by Imogen Edwards-Jones just one week earlier "Beach Babylon", and must say that this one (written earlier) is a bit different from theme (obviously) and tone.
First of all I was quite surprised that our protagonist turns out to be such an unlikeable character. I don't encounter this so very often. I especially didn't like how Belinda behaved towards her own daugther, treating her like a Cinderella while she seemed like the bad step-mother.
Although the book has less than 300 pages, quite some things happen here. But often they are only told rather than for the reader being in the middle of it. I also liked the diary entries of Belinda, in which she presents herself in a totally different light. I think the author did a good job here with hopping from one point of view to another.
Of course I expected a kind of catharsis for our bad protagonist, that's what such book mostly strive for. Well, there is such an event at the end of the story that might change her attitude and behaviour, but actually I don't really see it happen. Since the books ends there everyone can have their own opinion about this.
First of all I was quite surprised that our protagonist turns out to be such an unlikeable character. I don't encounter this so very often. I especially didn't like how Belinda behaved towards her own daugther, treating her like a Cinderella while she seemed like the bad step-mother.
Although the book has less than 300 pages, quite some things happen here. But often they are only told rather than for the reader being in the middle of it. I also liked the diary entries of Belinda, in which she presents herself in a totally different light. I think the author did a good job here with hopping from one point of view to another.
Of course I expected a kind of catharsis for our bad protagonist, that's what such book mostly strive for. Well, there is such an event at the end of the story that might change her attitude and behaviour, but actually I don't really see it happen. Since the books ends there everyone can have their own opinion about this.
April 14, 2016
Never one to not give a new venture a healthy try, I really (REALLY) wanted to like this book for a couple reasons.
1. Under the Tuscan Sun is a lovely story. (This book ain't that. Not even close.)
2. My copy was a gift from a manfriend, who picked it up at a yard sale. So, how cool were it also a good read as well as a thoughtful gift? (The giver's sweet intent has nothing to so with how sour the book.)
3. I'm taking my daughter to Italy and hoped this would impart some insight.
The main character is so selfish and haughty she repelled me before the third chapter so strongly I tossed the book to the floor, saying, "Nope. First time ever, but I am not going to read this one. She's awful!!"
Petty, self-centred and lazy people are a peeve of mine. I do not want to spend any precious free time with them in real life or the virtual environment of a book.
Technically, the actual writing is fine. A bit elementary, but readable. The main character is an intolerable shrew, and I suppose it takes talent to write someone so deplorable. *shrug* Next!!
So, I picked up Elizabeth Berg's newest work and will dive into that. She never disappoints.
1. Under the Tuscan Sun is a lovely story. (This book ain't that. Not even close.)
2. My copy was a gift from a manfriend, who picked it up at a yard sale. So, how cool were it also a good read as well as a thoughtful gift? (The giver's sweet intent has nothing to so with how sour the book.)
3. I'm taking my daughter to Italy and hoped this would impart some insight.
The main character is so selfish and haughty she repelled me before the third chapter so strongly I tossed the book to the floor, saying, "Nope. First time ever, but I am not going to read this one. She's awful!!"
Petty, self-centred and lazy people are a peeve of mine. I do not want to spend any precious free time with them in real life or the virtual environment of a book.
Technically, the actual writing is fine. A bit elementary, but readable. The main character is an intolerable shrew, and I suppose it takes talent to write someone so deplorable. *shrug* Next!!
So, I picked up Elizabeth Berg's newest work and will dive into that. She never disappoints.
March 31, 2023
This book was frustrating at times, and was not particularly good. The characters are all terribly unlikeable - particularly the protagonist - but I feel (hope) that that is the point. Belinda embodies a cringey, xenophobic expat who is horrendously concerned with how other people perceive her. I think she's 'relatable' in the way that we all have met someone like her (and probably disliked them), but the characterisation is over the top and aggressive. Her daughter is pathetic, her rival is insufferable, her neighbours are irritating. Its just a silly, campy book about horrible people getting awfully annoyed about ridiculous things, and there's nothing wrong with that. Good for the bath, not for much else.
July 3, 2014
Thought this book would be a good read because of it's title. Always am attracted to books that take place in foreign locations. This story follows Belinda Smith, and Englishwoman, who after finding her husband in bed with another woman, divorces him and moves to Tuscany in Italy to open her own Bed and Breakfast inn. Belinda became an unlikeable character early on, with her condescending manner, eavesdropping on her guests, and dysfunctional relationship with her daughter. Add in a competing business-woman, Lauren, who also is opening up a B&B, and the "war" between these two women begins. This is not a book I will hold on to...off to Goodwill it goes.
March 8, 2016
The main character was despicable, the second not much better and the book descended into a farcical bunch of stereotypes and clichés. This is chick-lit at its cringiest! There were a few funny bits but overall I wouldn’t waste your time on this novel. The characters go nowhere in terms of growing and remain unlikeable throughout.
June 18, 2007
Very funny and quick read. Belinda is a hysterical character who has a serious issue with perspective! She is easy to dislike, and yet you want to see how she manages in the end. I also loved her descriptions of Casa Mia and the "Valley" in anticipation for my upcoming vacation in Italy!
June 16, 2008
Really found it hard to finish this, slow going to start with and the mother has to be the most annoying character ever! However it picked up pace towards the second half of the book. This would be an okay read for the beach!
July 28, 2008
I really liked reading Belinda's diary chapters and then reading the 'real' chapter - what a disconnect, in some ways very funny, and in others a little sad for how we can deceive ourselves. Overall a nice and entertaining read.
March 23, 2009
pp. 26-27 "You see, we fortunately don't get many Americans in Toscana. I don't want to be rude, but I think they must find it too difficult. Far from the convenience of McDonalds's, there are probably too many hills and green vegetables for them."
October 19, 2009
Nice idea (the parallel between how Belinda sees herself and how others see her) but rather disappointing--too heavy-handed, and tells rather than shows. ALL the characters ended up being caricatures...
January 8, 2016
It was a good 'lite' read, but not that good. To be honest, I don't think I've ever hated a main character so much, than I've hated the main character that is Belinda Smith in this book. It isn't a boring book; rather a fun, nice read for those boring, long, hot summer days.
July 18, 2014
I found this book predictable and the main character aggravating (although kudos to the writer for developing an irritating character successfully. To be honest, the only way I could finish the book was to skip the "diary" passages and skim through the chapters.
August 1, 2025
I remember, 20 years on from reading it, not enjoying it!
I’ve now found my review:
The plot is predictable, the humour slight and overall the novel has a patronising attitude towards most of the overblown characters.
I’ve now found my review:
The plot is predictable, the humour slight and overall the novel has a patronising attitude towards most of the overblown characters.
March 21, 2009
very average chick lit. dull story of unpleasant suburban housewife's relocation to Tuscany. Not funny, not original, not interesting
May 25, 2009
Enjoyed this book narrated by one woman's view in two voices - her reality and her imagined one.
April 7, 2010
Slow start but quite funny as it went along. Like the technique of third person alternating with the diary. Terrible recipes add to the fun.
March 23, 2011
an enjoyable depiction of a fairly clueless woman who thinks of herself as a social i-don't-know-what.
think Hyacinth Bucket.
fun.
think Hyacinth Bucket.
fun.
August 27, 2011
Not really a chick-lit book but a fast entertaining read. You really dislike the main character but keep reading to find out if karma really works.
December 1, 2011
not recommended.
June 1, 2012
Did not like the main character Belinda at all, only managed a few few pages, don't plan to attempt it again.
December 30, 2012
Not crazy about the main character at all. The story plot was boring. Think the wine bottle and word Tuscany was the only good thing about it. Sorry Imogen....didn't make it me laugh.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews