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: Five stars and counting
Review: Isabella Dusi has not only written a remarkably interesting and readable book, she has woven Italian history, culture, and religion, grape growing and wine making, festas, food, local personalities (who become friends in the reading) and the way of village life into a brilliant fabric called Montalcino. Dusi's selfless, non-judgmental observations plus a writing style that literally "takes you there" excited me and stirred my interest to the point that I have already, in mid-July, made arrangements to go to Montalcino in October. !0 stars in a crown for Dusi.
Rating:
Summary: A truly enchanting and amazing book
Review: This book takes you for an intimate look at the people, food, wine, and history that lives in the Tuscan hills. Coming from an Ukranian-Australian family that thought Italy was nothing but spaghetti and crazy drivers, Vanilla Beans and Brodo opened me up to the long, hard history that has developed Montalcino and Italy to be the deep, engrained culture that it is. A truly romantic and enchanting book that walked me through the old streets of Montalcino, showed me the luscious gardens in backyards, explored the aromas of the Italian kitchen, and brought to life the history of a small, but wholesome town. 5 stars for sure. A book I didn't want to put down. Fantastic reading.
Rating:
Summary: A Gem of a Book!
Review: This is a must read for lovers of books on life in Tuscany and Italy. Isabella Dusi, an Australian with an Italian husband, relocates to Montalcino, a jewel of a Tuscan walled hilltown, and chronicles their daily life there. She provides the reader with interesting and many times amusing anecdotes about the town's various inhabitants. Her wonderful writing style makes the reader feel as if he is right there participating in all of the various aspects of village life. The reader gets a fascinating historical background on the hilltown's trials and tribulations over the centuries. He learns about the Florentine, Siennese, French and Spanish occupations and their repercussions on the inhabitants of the town. Dusi has excellent chapters on the various festas and town events. Her account of the archery competition between the four quartieri has the reader transported back to medieval times. One gets a palpable sense of the century's old rivalry between the quartieri and of the tremendous loyalty and tenacity of each the quartieri's members. Having been to Montalcino before, I was given a fresh perspective and new eyes with which to view this unique place. I feel that I will go back there and really look at things differently--in a familiar and knowing way. Rarely does a foreigner get to experience real life in a place such as Montalcino. Dusi has provided both active and armchair travellers the unique opportunity to do this. Brava!
Rating:
Summary: A refreshing change from the usual ex-pat travel stories.
Review: This is an engaging, informative and entertaining read, which enhanced my visit to Montalcino immensely whilst visiting during September 2002. Huddled under an archway, sheltering from the rain in the Travaglio quartiere, I learnt about the local customs, their pride in their ancestry, and the fierce rivalry and loyalty of the separate quarters. Isabella describes the struggles of the Montalcinesi, who have fought against all odds and invasions since the stone walls were erected in 1110 AD and how this traditional community has adapted to modern life in the 21st century, bringing us the delicious Brunello di Montalcino wine. If you are visiting Montalcino, or indeed, Tuscany, I urge you to read this book. If you don't you'll never scratch beneath the surface of this magnificent region and its people. Isabella Dusi clearly feels very lucky to live in Montalcino; a refreshing change from the usual ex-pat travel stories.
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!
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!
Rating:
Summary: VANILLA BEANS & BRODO
Review: Wow ! What a terrific perception into the real life of the charming wine village of Montalcino. This book really spoke to me. Isabella Dusi has a style that makes you feel as if you are actually there meeting and interacting with the local villagers.
Although I have traveled in Italy many times, including two visits to Montalcino, I never really understood the mindset of the typical Tuscan hill town native until I was enlightened thru the eyes of this transplanted Aussie who has lived among them for the past six years. If you love Italia, and especially Tuscany, you have to read this book. Mille grazie Isabella ...
Rating:
Summary: uncomplicated
Review: You've been to Italy,you've 'done 'Tuscany,now read the book.
Isabella Dusi has crept into the heart of a mountain village/town,call it what you like, and made a place for herself in the bosom of Montalcino. I have travelled to Italy numerous times over the past twenty years and fallen in love with the people,the lifestyle the food and of course the wine so I can claim to have some little insight into this glorious country.
However,Isabella Dusi has captured in her book everything that I have spent 20 years experiencing.
Italians are a complex people,they live uncomplicated lifestyles for the most part and it is very difficult to get really close to a community such as Montalcino. What Isabella Has done is just that. To experience that alone is worth the purchase of this book.
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