Rating: 
Summary: the worst book I ever wasted time reading
Review: I can't believe that this book was on our best-seller list in the USA. No wonder the European countries percieve us as unintelligent and mediocre. I am also baffled that this woman, Frances Mayes, is an instructor of creative writing. I felt ill (embarassed for her) when I read the descriptions of the countryside or maybe a description of one on the men working for her. I almost threw the book out the window of the train on the way to Venice, but decided that I paid too much for it in Florence. I also felt that I should at least give the recipes a chance when I got home. Did anyone bother to edit this book? I can not believe the grammatic errors! I can never again, unfortunately, read about the Etruscans and their tombs. It was overkill. However, even though I did not enjoy the book, it gave me the confidence and the reassurance to know that I can do anything and could get some kind of praise or recognition for it.
Rating: 
Summary: Lyrical Beauty of Tuscan
Review: With her passion and poetic views toward the beauty of Italy, the author of this book, Frances Mayes, finally came to a conclusion, "I AM ABOUT TO BUT A HOUSE IN A FOREIGN COUNTRY". Buying a villa with a beautiful name of Bramasol in the spectacular Italian countryside was a the first plane of her adventure for a life as a foreigner with a new language to know more about this country and lyrical lives of Italian people. She experienced quite different feelings from this rustic environment than an urban life style, which she used to have in San Francisco, California. However, she discovered there many pleasant aspects of Mediterranean life and culture "Under the Tuscan Sun". As Van Gogh visually described the vital energies actively circulating among the lives in nature under the hot Mediterranean sun with his spiritual aspect of knowledge and passion toward nature, she also expressed, as a poet, inner nature of people and outer indigenous cultures from different regions in Italian life. There are much of details that artistically expressed and mentioned by her talented descriptive writing and attitude; I might have missed many parts to write them all in this review. But this book was the best travel journey that I have read. This book is very recommendable and will be helpful for those people who have decided their summer vacation travelling in Italy and the students who want to extend their major studies in music in Italy. It provides many detail resources and information about Italian culture and unique life style that had fully understood from her personal experiences and the true opinions about their culture as a foreigner. No one should miss this book before he or she towards a new life in Italy.
Rating: 
Summary: A trip to a fascinating place with an annoying employer
Review: I live in a resort town where we meet people like Frances Mayes all the time. They are retired, or starting a second fantasy career in a "quaint" place, and try to treat the locals with amused good humor (condescendingly)...when they remember their manners at all. Once in a while they too find they must lower themselves to "pitch a fit", like the Southern ex-patriate Mayes is force to do in Italy. Energy is expended trying to recall what exact charm their original fantasy of a life among the nicely weathered buildings and natural wonders held for them. Like Tuscany, it's hard to get things done here on time. It's hard to find help. It's the country, not the City and the inconveniences are hard to take -- even with money to pay for requested services...imagine! What these fancy transplants don't seem to remember, like Ms. Mayes, is that if everyone in their new home was like them -- able to throw money around and demand prompt service -- the place wouldn't hold many charms. It would simply be California, or New York City. Just another place to escape from. Ms.Mayes is a poet, of course, so she Notices Everything. Poetry can take your breath away or annoy and Ms. Mayes book does both. I find it hard to feel too sorry for her particular hardships, and wish she would just not go into so much detail about them, would just lighten up. (I felt embarassed for her and the people she meets and scrutinizes -- many of whom I can't quite keep track of, although she graciously names them for us.) I felt anxious for her and Ed and worried that renovations wouldn't get done in time. Time is a constant worry, here, ironically, in a place that is inhabited by people who know how to live in the moment -- maybe the countryside's greatest treasure! Bottom line: It's an inexpensive trip to a great place with an uptight aunt and her buff new sweetie. I found myself curious about "Uncle" Ed and wonder if he will write a book, too...
Rating:
Summary: A Massive Case of "The Emperor's New Clothes"
Review: Verbose, cliché-ridden, superficial, and materialistic, this book stars not Tuscany but Frances Mayes, who treats Italy like a gigantic mall. In her view, Italian architecture, food, wine, art, history, and even people exist only as products to decorate the author's personal Disneyland. The book's success can be explained only by marketing hype and critics' reluctance to speak the truth. Fellow readers, the emperor is naked. Save your money, and a tree. If you want to read about Italian food, go to the real authorities: Marcella Hazan or Mayes's own source, Elizabeth David.
Rating:
Summary: Save yourself from tedium!
Review: Your $ could be better spent almost anywhere else. How this book could have received so many good reviews simply baffles me. It was a struggle to finish, kept hoping for a glimpse of humanity in the author -- but never found it. Did Ed write the part about the Italian driving, the only fun part of this story?
Rating:
Summary: Shallow and Pretentious
Review: This is a horrid book, badly written, poorly edited, and tedious to read. There are endless descriptions of the things she buys, the food she eats, her boyfriend Ed's muscles, and the hardship she endures having to schlep back to her bayside house in boring old San Francisco. We only get Italy filtered through the self-absorbed eyes of Ms. Mayes, a thing she herself complains about of D.H. Lawrence: "I forgive him now and then when he totally disappears from the text and just writes what he sees." Hmmmm. Particularly offensive were her observations about Roman Catholic saints: "Oh, here is where they put their awe", and "here is where they put there memories and wants" as if she is some 19th century anthropologist speaking of a primitive culture far beneath herself. What arrogance. Well, Ms.Mayes, I know where to put this book - in the recycling bin, in the hope that it will be reborn as blank paper in the typewriter of a real writer.
Rating:
Summary: Easy summer reading and escapism
Review: Escape to Tuscany for free. I enjoyed this book BUT I found it difficult to have empathy for a wealthy couple who constantly complain about the cost of everything....the common thread throughout the book was the cost of paradise.
Rating:
Summary: Insight into the American visitor in Italy
Review: I read this book while studying architecture in Italy and it was quite enjoyable because as I was reading the book, I was actually seeing this world unfold before my eyes. Anyone who plans to travel to Tuscany or Italy should definitly have this on their nightstand. As should anyone who would love to live vicariously through the author as she explores the wonders of purchasing and restoring a Tuscan villa.
Rating:
Summary: Sensory Overload!
Review: Readers seem to love it or hate it - count me amongst those who loved it; in fact, I couldn't put it down and I can't wait to read Bella Tuscany. Almost 30 years ago I spent my junior year living in Florence and reading this book brought back so many memories, sensory and otherwise. People who have learned how to "stop and smell the roses" will enjoy her ability to observe and take pleasure in simple ordinary everyday events. While I'm not likely to spend my summers living in a restored Tuscan farmhouse, I am inspired to observe my surroundings more closely and find the beauty that is right there in my own backyard.
Rating:
Summary: It's about finding and reveling in happiness
Review: Only the cynical would not enjoy this charming book. I loved it! I've never read a book that made me feel so strongly about enjoying and appreciating my life and having the courage to go after happiness. It's vivid discriptions awaken the senses. I love Frances Mayes style of writing, fluid, colorful and inspiring.
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