Under the Tuscan Sun - Softcover

Mayes, Frances

Softcover

ISBN 10: 055381611X ISBN 13: 9780553816112

Publisher: Bantam Books (Transworld Publishers a division of the Random House Group), 2004

Synopsis

Frances Mayes - widely published poet, gourmet cook and travel writer - opens the door on a wondrous new world when she buys and restores an abandoned villa in the spectacular Tuscan countryside. She finds faded frescoes beneath the whitewash in the dining room, a vineyard under wildly overgrown brambles - and even a wayward scorpion under her pillow. And from her traditional kitchen and simple garden she creates dozens of delicious seasonal recipes, all included in this book. In the vibrant local markets and neighbouring hill towns, the author explores the nuances of the Italian landscape, history and cuisine. Each adventure yields delightful surprises - the perfect panettone, an unforgettable wine, or painted Etruscan tombs. Doing for Tuscany what Peter Mayle did for Provence, Mayes writes about the tastes and pleasures of a foreign country with gusto and passion. A celebration of the extraordinary quality of life in Tuscany, UNDER THE TUSCAN SUN is a feast for all the senses.

About this title

Review:

In this memoir of her buying, renovating and living in an abandoned villa in Tuscany, Frances Mayes reveals the sensual pleasure she found living in rural Italy and the generous spirit she brought with her. She revels in the sunlight and the colour, the long view of her valley, the warm homey architecture, the languor of the slow paced days, the vigor of working her garden and the intimacy of her dealings with the locals. Cooking, gardening, tiling and painting are never chores, but skills to be learned, arts to be practiced and above all to be enjoyed. At the same time Mayes brings a literary and intellectual mind to bear on the experience, adding depth to this account of her enticing rural idyll. --Amazon.com

Review:

A "New York Times Notable Book of 1997
"This beautifully written memoir about taking chances, living in Italy. loving a house and, always, the pleasures of food, would make a perfect gift for a loved one. But it's so delicious, read it first yourself."
"--USA Today
"Irresistible...a sensous book for a sensous countryside."
"--Minneapolis Star-Tribune
"An intense celebration of what [Mayes] calls 'the voluptuousness of Italian life'."
"--The New York Times Book Review
"Armchair travel at its most enticing."
"--Booklist
"Mayes [has] perfect vision."
"--Los Angeles Times

A "New York Times" Notable Book of 1997
" This beautifully written memoir about taking chances, living in Italy. loving a house and, always, the pleasures of food, would make a perfect gift for a loved one. But it's so delicious, read it first yourself."
"--USA Today"
" Irresistible...a sensous book for a sensous countryside."
"--Minneapolis Star-Tribune"
" An intense celebration of what [Mayes] calls 'the voluptuousness of Italian life'."
"--The New York Times Book Review"
" Armchair travel at its most enticing."
"--Booklist"
" Mayes [has] perfect vision."
"--Los Angeles Times"

A "New York Times" Notable Book of 1997

"This beautifully written memoir about taking chances, living in Italy. loving a house and, always, the pleasures of food, would make a perfect gift for a loved one. But it's so delicious, read it first yourself."
"--USA Today"

"Irresistible...a sensous book for a sensous countryside."
"--Minneapolis Star-Tribune"

"An intense celebration of what [Mayes] calls 'the voluptuousness of Italian life' . . . appealing and very vivid . . . [The] book seems like the kind of thing you'd tuck into a picnic basket on an August day . . . or better yet, keep handy on the bedside table in the depths of January."
--"New York Times Book Review
"
"Armchair travel at its most enticing."
"--Booklist"

"Mayes [has] perfect vision. . . . I do not doubt that centuries form now, whoever lives in Bramasole will one day uncover bits of pottery used at Mayes' table. She has, by the sweat of her brow and the strength of her vision, become a layer in the history of this place."
--"Los Angeles Times"

"After buying a rundown villa in rural Tuscany, the American author Frances Mayes moves to Cortona to renovate the property and learn more about the Italian dolce vita. Her bestselling memoir on her time there paints a vivid description of the town, the people and the lush surrounding countryside of rolling hills and vineyards. A poet and a gourmet cook, Mayes includes a number of chapters on food, replete with classic Italian recipes to further whet the appetite."
--"Irish Times"

A "New York Times" Notable Book of 1997
"This beautifully written memoir about taking chances, living in Italy. loving a house and, always, the pleasures of food, would make a perfect gift for a loved one.But it's so delicious, read it first yourself."
"--USA Today"
"Irresistible...a sensous book for a sensous countryside."
"--Minneapolis Star-Tribune"
An intense celebration of what [Mayes] calls the voluptuousness of Italian life . . . appealing and very vivid . . . [The] book seems like the kind of thing you d tuck into a picnic basket on an August day . . . or better yet, keep handy on the bedside table in the depths of January.
"New York Times Book Review
"
"Armchair travel at its most enticing."
"--Booklist"
Mayes [has] perfect vision. . . . I do not doubt that centuries form now, whoever lives in Bramasole will one day uncover bits of pottery used at Mayes table. She has, by the sweat of her brow and the strength of her vision, become a layer in the history of this place.
--"Los Angeles Times"
"After buying a rundown villa in rural Tuscany, the American author Frances Mayes moves to Cortona to renovate the property and learn more about the Italian dolce vita. Her bestselling memoir on her time there paints a vivid description of the town, the people and the lush surrounding countryside of rolling hills and vineyards. A poet and a gourmet cook, Mayes includes a number of chapters on food, replete with classic Italian recipes to further whet the appetite."
--"Irish Times""

A New York Times Notable Book of 1997
"This beautifully written memoir about taking chances, living in Italy. loving a house and, always, the pleasures of food, would make a perfect gift for a loved one. But it's so delicious, read it first yourself."
--USA Today
"Irresistible...a sensous book for a sensous countryside."
--Minneapolis Star-Tribune
"An intense celebration of what [Mayes] calls 'the voluptuousness of Italian life' . . . appealing and very vivid . . . [The] book seems like the kind of thing you'd tuck into a picnic basket on an August day . . . or better yet, keep handy on the bedside table in the depths of January."
--New York Times Book Review

"Armchair travel at its most enticing."
--Booklist
"Mayes [has] perfect vision. . . . I do not doubt that centuries form now, whoever lives in Bramasole will one day uncover bits of pottery used at Mayes' table. She has, by the sweat of her brow and the strength of her vision, become a layer in the history of this place."
--Los Angeles Times
"After buying a rundown villa in rural Tuscany, the American author Frances Mayes moves to Cortona to renovate the property and learn more about the Italian dolce vita. Her bestselling memoir on her time there paints a vivid description of the town, the people and the lush surrounding countryside of rolling hills and vineyards. A poet and a gourmet cook, Mayes includes a number of chapters on food, replete with classic Italian recipes to further whet the appetite."
--Irish Times

A New York Times Notable Book of 1997
-This beautifully written memoir about taking chances, living in Italy. loving a house and, always, the pleasures of food, would make a perfect gift for a loved one. But it's so delicious, read it first yourself.-
--USA Today
-Irresistible...a sensous book for a sensous countryside.-
--Minneapolis Star-Tribune
-An intense celebration of what [Mayes] calls 'the voluptuousness of Italian life' . . . appealing and very vivid . . . [The] book seems like the kind of thing you'd tuck into a picnic basket on an August day . . . or better yet, keep handy on the bedside table in the depths of January.-
--New York Times Book Review

-Armchair travel at its most enticing.-
--Booklist
-Mayes [has] perfect vision. . . . I do not doubt that centuries form now, whoever lives in Bramasole will one day uncover bits of pottery used at Mayes' table. She has, by the sweat of her brow and the strength of her vision, become a layer in the history of this place.-
--Los Angeles Times
-After buying a rundown villa in rural Tuscany, the American author Frances Mayes moves to Cortona to renovate the property and learn more about the Italian dolce vita. Her bestselling memoir on her time there paints a vivid description of the town, the people and the lush surrounding countryside of rolling hills and vineyards. A poet and a gourmet cook, Mayes includes a number of chapters on food, replete with classic Italian recipes to further whet the appetite.-
--Irish Times

About this edition

• Publisher: Bantam Books (Transworld Publishers a division of the Random House Group)
• Publication date: 2004
• ISBN 10: 055381611X
• ISBN 13: 9780553816112
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 304