Under the Tuscan Sun / Bella Tuscany

by Frances Mayes

2 Book Set. Widely published poet, gourmet chef, and travel writer, Frances Mayes opens the door to a voluptuous new world when she buys and restores an abandoned villa in the Tuscan countryside. What she shares with her readers is a feast for the senses as she explores the pastoral Italian landscape, history and cuisine.

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction, Italy, Memoir, Chick Lit, Biography

Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

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

[Catsalive · Rating 1 out of 5]

http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/3...

I have made 2 attempts to read this over the last 9 years - the 2nd one today - & neither was successful. I'm not sure what's putting me off. Is it the tiny text or too much excruciating detail? Something is irritating me. I am unable to get past the first 50 pp. or so I'm giving it away. I've lost interest in other people's new-home-new-country memoirs, anyway.

[Karakoenig · Rating 4 out of 5]

I NEED to go to Tuscany!

[Fiona Gordon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book with historical references and Tuscan recipes

[Betty Cheng · Rating 3 out of 5]

Frances Mayes is a good writer. She has a great sense of detail and the ability to transport you. Since she has undertaken the daunting task of purchasing and restoring an Italian farmhouse with 5 acres while residing for only a portion of the year in Italy, she certainly has a story to tell! Her primary focus is on the restoration, the food, the people and Tuscany (in more or less that order). I've resided in another country as well and reading about her experience aroused my admiration for her patience, endurance and relish for life in Italy. She wrote so lovingly about her adventures I found myself considering how to follow in her footsteps. But this is madness! A house in dire need of a makeover in a foreign country is not for me.

[Alisa · Rating 1 out of 5]

After reading Under the Tuscan Sun and disliking it so much, I am not sure why I read this book. A friend bought it for me and I felt obligated to read it I guess. The author is one of the worst I have ever read. She writes to hear herself, not for someone else to. Her overly descriptive rambling loses the average reader and bores to no end the avid reader. If all of her books are like this one and Under the Tuscan Sun I would not recommend any of them.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book started off pretty good but then slowed a lot for me. I was somewhat surprise by how much I enjoyed hearing the details of her home. It was a fun read but at times a bit slow to the point of me skipping ahead. I really enjoyed the stories of the contractors and all the head aches they caused and her thoughts of the home while back in San Fran.

[Sandra Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I saw the movie with Diane Lane but the book and sequel was much better than the movie. You learned so much about the life in Italy not shown in the movie. I still love the movie a lot tho. But I have found the books that were made into movies are better and go into more detail. It made me want to go to Italy and explore all the wonderful sites there.
sandy lewis
austin texas

[Bobbie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I remember liking the movie but I did not enjoy the book. There was no story or plot or anything. It is a long boring account of her renovating a house that she bought in Italy. I have no interest in such things so found it to be very tedious. She also has some great recipes but that's about it.

[Cozy Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frances Mayes is one of my favorite authors. As a English Professor for many years her writing is both intelligent and atmospheric to the area of Tuscany. The telling here of life in Tuscany will sweep you away to her world amid the culture, food and beauty of all things Tuscany.

[Kellene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Made me want to move

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

love these books, the recipes, the whole idea of living in Italy!

[Stephanie]

OK, but not as good as her first, Under the Tuscan Sun

[Mariah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Follow up book for Under the Tuscan Sun. Frances Mayes's love affair with Italy.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Both of these were good reads. Tuscany is another favourite place of mine (been there twice) and if I was wealthy I too would love to buy and renovate a property there:)

[Misty Vendl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love her elaborate language. Feels like sitting with her on the terrace.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

can't really relate to owning a villa in tuscany, but it is good to dream right?

[Cathi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another Mayes worth the read. A great follow up to the Tuscan Sun

[Donna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not as good as Under the Tuscan Sun. Bit of a struggle to get through

[Tina]

Saved the book to try some of her recipes. WHEN we travel to the area we may use her itinerary. Love the way she writes.

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very descriptive with some fun recipes to try. Frances Mayes is a good writer and her books really give you the feel of being in Tuscany.

[Helen C · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sensuous book for a sensuous countryside. Enjoyable

[Boyi Guo · Rating 1 out of 5]

Can't finish reading. Too tedious for teenager or young adult. Only portray their Italy life in a really slow pace

[Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book ages ago, after seeing the movie of the same name! I just wanted more and this book delivered! I have wanted to visit Tuscany ever since.

[Alexia Richard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Voyage en Toscane à chaque page ... J'adore !