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Rating: 
Summary: What a great read!
Review: I bought VB&B soon after it was released in Australia just before Xmas '01 and only just finished reading it now in Nov. '02.What a big mistake!!In that time I was lucky enough to spend nearly 3 months in Italy.Oh,how I wish I would have read Isabella's book by the time I got to Montalcino in June.We did spend several hours there.Nowhere near long enough.....and it was during siesta as well!What we saw of Montalcino barely scratched the surface. How do you think I felt reading VB&B?It has felt like I've been transported into Isabella & Luigi's life in this hilltop town.I feel like part of the family.She has written such a strong account of their Tuscan experience that I feel as if I've been there to share it all with them.Not only is it beautifully written but also wonderfully illustrated.Can't wait to return to Italy and to meet the "family " in Montalcino!
Rating: 
Summary: Delightful, truthful and compelling
Review: In the summer of 2002 I booked a trip to Italy that included a stay in Montalcino. It was then that I became aware of the Isabella Dusi's book, Vanilla Beans and Brodo. I purchased the book to gain some insight on our destination, simply hoping for a travelogue of sights and scenes. Instead what I found was a remarkably well written book discussing not only life in a Tuscan Hill Town, but insight into the fabric of this one small place, both in present day and in history. It made me realize that as an American tourist without such information I would merely be a spectator at an event I had no real knowledge of. So we go to Italy and visit Montalcino for an extended period. Thanks to the book, a primer on daily life, we could participate much more. We met the characters in the book, not just as concepts or fabrications, but also rather as actual living people and found them perfectly described down to their personal habits and traits. We had met shopkeepers, chefs, vintners, waiters and even pet owners in the book and coming upon them in real life was like meeting old friends. Is this the true test of a travel book? If so Dusi scores high. Dusi has acute observation skills that she amply put to use in taking the reader beyond the surface, beyond what a visitor on a good day will understand. She does this with a very natural writing style that speaks, rather than reads. I recommend this book highly, not only for those who will visit this small town, but also for anyone who wants the beginnings of understandings on small town Italy. It is written well enough that one does not even need to have a trip planned, for the depth of the story is enjoyment enough, even compelling.
Rating:
Summary: Meeting some of the characters in VB&B
Review: We found this enchanting book in our apt. when we arrived for a 3 1/2 month stay in a small town 10 K's from Montalcino in Sept., 2002. My husband was completely mesmerized and suggested that I also read it. I was immediately caught up in the life in our neighboring town. When visiting one day, we stopped in at the pharmacy (Salvioni's) and met Maurelia, the pharmacist's wife. She was one of the main persons is the story. After a half an hour conversation, she invited us to view the upcoming Festa del Tordo from their balcony (directly overlooking the parade route) and to meet the author, Isabella Dusi. The entire day only clarified our feelings about the warmth and truly embracing, friendly nature of the Italian people. A MUST READ!
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