Under the Tuscan Sun: At Home in Italy

Frances Mayes

Written in the finely descriptive style of a literary journal, this book brims over with Northern Italian historical, architectural, and geographical tidbits, along with some mouthwatering recipes. Its only weakness is lack of plot, with the notable exception of the renovation of an ancient Tuscan villa in a beautiful, and relatively exotic country. Admittedly, it is the renovation and the undeniable charm of Tuscany that are the whole point of the book! While not an exciting volume, except perhaps for decorators and home lovers, Under The Tuscan Sun does evoke a summer country, bestowing peaceful blessings on its reader.

Review by Holy Moly.

Now in paperback, the #1 San Francisco Chronicle bestseller that is an enchanting and lyrical look at the life, the traditions, and the cuisine of Tuscany, in the spirit of Peter Mayle's A Year in Provence.

Frances Mayes entered a wondrous new world when she began restoring an abandoned villa in the spectacular Tuscan countryside. There were unexpected treasures at every turn: faded frescos beneath the whitewash in her dining room, a vineyard under wildly overgrown brambles in the garden, and, in the nearby hill towns, vibrant markets and delightful people. In Under the Tuscan Sun, she brings the lyrical voice of a poet, the eye of a seasoned traveler, and the discerning palate of a cook and food writer to invite readers to explore the pleasures of Italian life and to feast at her table.