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Summary: Jealousy clouds other reader reviews!
Review: If you're a person who savors food and words, read this book. Through her words, I lived vicariously in Mayes' Tuscany for several days. I kept saying to myself "I can't believe I got a free trip to Tuscany." Those who don't feel the same way often cite the book as "boring," or "too Martha Stewart." If you enjoy writing that speaks to your senses, then you will not find this book boring. If hearing about those who live the good life doesn't give you an inferiority complex, you'll enjoy this book.
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Summary: Excellent reading.... Frances takes you with her.
Review: I enjoyed this book so much, I bought Bella Tuscany as well. It was just as wonderful. I love Frances Mayes' style of writing.
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Summary: Beware, disappointment ahead!
Review: Having failed in my search for a copy of this best-seller in my local library I went ahead and ordered this book from amazon. I've enjoyed visiting Tuscany and I heard that this book was interesting. I've never been so disappointed in a book. Dull and pretentious are the first words that come to mind. Unreadable is another. If you are actually interested in a an american professor's mid-life crisis and her reawakening in Italy - go for it. Otherwise go no further, hit BACK now.
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Summary: Tale of the Tape
Review: The book is a completely lightweight trip through Tuscany, clearly tailored for what must be the burgeoning Martha Stewart demographic. All well and good, but be forewarned: the tape commits the (usually) unforgiveable mistake of allowing the author to read her own material. Authors author and performers perform; when one mistakes oneself for the other, the result is nowhere more painfully illustrated than in the ghastly narrative in the audio tape version of "Under the Tuscan Sun".
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Summary: A wannabe Martha Stewart of Tuscany
Review: This book recited endless variations of "Look at me, my wonderful life in my Tuscan house which, with my wonderful husband I did a wonderful job of renovating, my endlessly wonderful cooking and eating (here are my recipes), my shpping, my appreciation for the food and sensory quality of Italy as only my husband and I know how. Aren't you fascinated by my exquisite experience?"
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Summary: Droll . . . . .
Review: Excited to be taken to Tuscany without leaving the comfort of my couch, I was very disappointed. All the complaining at the beginning of the book about the high prices of homes and the "struggle" to obtain their dream just made me laugh - please, most of us don't even vacation in Europe let alone purchase a home there - get over yourself. I agree with the review sighting Bob Villa goes to Tuscany - the whole scene regarding their remodel was just too involved - not the Tuscany I was interested in. Eating, and more eating, gardening and shopping. Racing around in small cars - and Ed - beloved husband and companion - I think not - just "some guy" that is occaisionally commented on. This book is boring, difficult to get through and leads nowhere. I wasted my time. Nice recipies though.
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Summary: Note from a Tuscan dweller
Review: As a woman born from an American mother and a Hungarian father who was raised as an Italian in Florence, I feel close to the city itself and close to seeing Tuscany with sympathetic eyes. Thus I read "Under the Tuscan Sun" with interest. Is is well written and goes down like a nice glass of Chianti. But it struck me as idealized --not a fantasy-- but a wish to experience a world without feeling its weight or difficulty or costs for people who are really part of the texture. I have recently finished another book on Italy called "Mother Tongue, An American Life in Italy" that tells a much more complicated story. For people who are turists --they may not enjoy its richness and even pain-- because tourists are looking for simple experiences. But for readers who would like to know what it feels like to live in Italy as an American I would suggest this book by Wallis Wilde Menozzi. As a person who knows Italy, it struck me as challenging and true.
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Summary: makes you want to plan a trip to italy immediately
Review: Having recently become interested in learning more about my italian heritage, Under the Tuscan Sun made me excited to learn more. A must read for anyone who has dreamed of picking up their lives and moving to italy, totally immersing yourself in the culture. I am looking for more books on life in italy and essays on what it is like to be there, ie. the sights, sounds, smells etc... if anyone could help please email me. Books on italians imigrating to america are also of great interest to me. ty
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Summary: A definite opening to new worlds
Review: The author's wonderful writing style was so alluring that she made me interested in two things I never would have given thought to before: gardening and canning. Although these were only briefly mentioned, she made them sound so appealing. This was aided by the fact that the whole book engulfed me and made me feel like I was living her experiences. I'm also a fan now of Tuscan cooking - so simple, yet so delicious. My one dislike is of the author herself. She seems like a yuppie, and her complaints about money fall on deaf ears as she is so much of a spendthrift in Italy. It seems other readers agree - she was personally difficult to identify with.
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Summary: A Tantalizing Journey!
Review: Thank you, Dr. Mayes, for a beautiful account of your experience falling in love with Italy. As a long time expatriot it is refreshing for me to know that learning to love a second culture can be put into words. Not being an armchair traveler, I was suprised to find myself looking forward to spending the weekend at home with Under The Tuscan Sun.
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