After such pleasures

by Frances Mayes

Genres: Poetry

91 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1979

About the author

Frances Mayes's new book is See You in the Piazza: New Places to Discover in Italy published by Crown. Her most recent novel is Women in Sunlight, published by Crown and available in paperback in spring 2019. With her husband, Edward Mayes she recently published The Tuscan Sun Cookbook. Every Day in Tuscany is the third volume in her bestselling Tuscany memoir series.

In addition to her Tuscany memoirs, Under the Tuscan Sun and Bella Tuscany , Frances Mayes is the author of the memoirs Under Magnolia: A Southern Memoir; A Year in the World; the illustrated books In Tuscany and Bringing Tuscany Home; Swan, a novel; The Discovery of Poetry, a text for readers; and five books of poetry. She divides her time between homes in Italy and North Carolina.

Reviews

[Linda Arnoldus · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book in the poetry section of a bookstore in O'ahu, and decided to purchase it after reading the first few poems. Upon finishing it I decided to rate it 3 stars. Some would argue that poetry is qualitative and you should focus on how you feel upon reading it, not its message. In that case, I think my feelings for each poem average out to a 3 star rating. My favorite poems were the delightful homages to a sensual, fruitful life. Many of them were indescribably descriptive - Mayes doesn’t need to say much to create this addicting imagery. I was often reminded of my own experiences, and she makes you feel as if you are there again and connected to her experience as well. She has a distinctive voice when writing which is impossible to emulate. The poems are wide-ranging in subject (travels, grief, love), and are a lovely window into this woman’s life.

Some of the poems, on the other hand, are pure nonsensical word salad. It is difficult to rate poetry because you are supposed to break the rules, and with all art it is subjective. I personally don’t like to read poetry where I have no semblance of what the author is describing or trying to convey.

Overall glad I read it and would recommend it to a friend!