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Summary: Complete the Experience
Review: A delicious feast for the eye and heart. If you have read the book, if you have travelled in Tuscany this book brings it all home visually.
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Summary: Italy as I knew it
Review: After having lived in Italy, I can say that this book catches the true essence of that country. The quietly beautiful photographs recall the Italian masters and the scenes portray the everyday life of Italy and it's people. This 3rd book of Frances Mayes is not filled with the hilarious anecdotal stories of the first two, but it is broader and told with more assurance of time and place. How can one read and look at this book and not fall in love with Italy ?
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Summary: The Best Yet!
Review: For those who love pictures to complete the story this book is for you. Frances Mayes and her husband are fortunate to be soul mates and it is obvious to the reader that they enjoy living and working together for a common goal. Previous books of Ms. Mayes have been critized for her being "too self-involved and having lots of money to restore their home in Cortona", but this is the culmuniation of their genuine love for Italy. They have captured the people and show the reader their enjoyment of all the reasons they have ventured this far to enjoy life. The words flow with the pictures and the look at Italy is really as it is. Having only been to Italy once I felt like I was back walking the hill towns, driving the roads, and enjoying every minutes of the three weeks spent with these wonderful people. Reading the prequels gives the history of the time and energy and love that is brought forth in this pictorial. Enjoy!!!
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Summary: For Blindly Faithful Lovers Only
Review: Frances Mayes adds "In Tuscany" as the third in her seemingly never-ending series about life in Bella Toscana-- following her hugely successful "Under A Tuscan Sun," its sequel "Bella Tuscany," and several calendars. Unfortunately this latest effort left this reader greatly disappointed, as the author fashions verbal portraits of standard aspects of Italian life (e.g. the cucina-- kitchen; piazza, etc.). This time around, she adds complementary photos-- but many are soft focus, artsy blurred images, rather than the stunning, breathtaking images found in many other books, such as "Most Beautiful Villages in Tuscany." Take a peek before you lay your money down. This book leaves much to be desired-- at least for me.
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Summary: Wonderful read!
Review: Frances Mayes' love for Tuscany has traversed in to a third book. Before In Tuscany, there was Under the Tuscan Sun and Bella Tuscany. In Tuscany has been written with Edward Mayes and the famous photographer Bob Krist provides some rich awe inspiring pictures that show the reader why the author is so in love with the splendor of Tuscany. His pictures give an artistic appearance that captures and keeps the reader's eye. Frances writes that Tuscany is a world; Italy is a universe. She has spent a notable amount of time exploring Tuscany in order to experience more of the wonder and pleasure it beholds. Each chapter is organized and presented in a clear manner. The author's bounty of information flows in a pleasurable reading style making it easy to read and enjoy; the author's passion shines through in every word. Here are the chapters and the subjects they deliver: Baci (Kisses) - An introduction of sorts La Piazza (Piazza) - Where everyone enjoys life La Festa (Celebration) - Elaborate celebrations and how history plays a part Il Campo (Field) - The countryside and vineyards La Cucinal (Kitchen) - Menu and cooking traditions La Belleza (Beauty) - The beauty and light of Tuscany It's a joy to read and the pictures a pleasure to look at.
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Summary: I LOVED IT!
Review: Having been to Tuscany several times, I find myself longing to return while reading this book. I find it a quality read with great pictures and typically flowing Frances Mayes style of writing.
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Summary: A Wish Granted
Review: Having read Frances Mayes' first two books about Bramasole, I found myself wishing that I could see all the fascinating places and people she described in such loving detail. It is obvious that she is a poet, for who else would notice the little everyday things that she re-creates so vividly for us? When I heard that her new book would have photographs, it seemed too good to be true. Would the little shrine down the terrace from Bramasole be there? Would the marketplaces in Cortona? Would there be portraits of the people whose character studies have made us wish we could have them for friends and neighbors? Not to worry, all these and so much more is there. The photographer is an artist, and the quality of his work belongs in a gallery. Mrs. Mayes must have known that many of her readers would want to own a book like this, and I feel as though it is my own personal trip to Tuscany to keep forever.
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Summary: Mayes, et al have really done it this time...
Review: I fell in love with this book as soon as I took it out of the Amazon.com box it arrived in. It is beautifully made. I love all of the pictures Mayes has incorporated into her latest work of art. It was so great to actually see Bramasole and various individuals she always writes about. I had invisioned what Bramasole and all if the individuals looked like while reading Under the Tuscan Sun and Bella Tuscany, but now I feel enriched because I have an insider's view of them. As always, the recipies she includes are delicious, authentic, and easy to make. Giusi's Pasta al Ragu is almost identical to the recipe my family in Italy makes. If you make it top it with some Pecorino Romano, take a bite, close your eyes, and you will feel as though you are dining at a trattoria in Italy. I am holding my breath in anticipation of a 4th book in this series!
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Summary: Superb!
Review: I had been waiting eagerly for the next book in the Tuscany series and I am not disappointed. The format is certainly different than the other 2, but Mayes' love for and delight in her Tuscan home and adopted land comes through as clearly as ever. Her use of language is absolutely perfect, the photos beautiful and evocative, and the author's love of detail comes through wonderfully! At times, I felt I could almost touch the objects she describes, and taste the food so lovingly depicted! Bravo, and I'm already looking forward to the next volume!
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Summary: Wonderful
Review: I have all three books about living in Italy by Frances, and visited Italy 2 1/2 years ago. I feel as though she is seeing and experiencing through my eyes! How exciting that Frances captures the exotic land and people with such accurate detail. I can't wait to go back!
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