Customer Reviews

In Tuscany

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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.

This is a necessary companion to Mayes' earlier books about the restoration of her home. This book is all about photos of Tuscany and the hill town (apparently Italy's oldest) of Cortona in particular. These photos compliment her previous works very well by showing you what she is seeing in an area of Italy she knows so well. Tuscany and Umbria are beautiful places. I have seen other photograph books with better pictures of Tuscany and Umbria, but this one goes along with Mayes' previous books. I have driven down the road on the cover and it is truly a site to see. Don't get confused by other reviews which reference the images from this book as "Italy" in general. Not all of Italy is like this, but the hill towns of Tuscany and Umbria are and a must see for the traveller who is looking to relax for a week or two in the Tuscan or Umbrian hillside.

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.

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!

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 ?

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.

In contrast to the previous reviewers, I found this book one the larger disappointments of the past year. I anxiously awaited this title, after reading and rereading Under the Tuscan Sun and Bella Tuscany. The prose that I found endearing in full chapters becomes trite and overproduced in smaller chunklets. I further find that pages and pages of artfully blurry photographs add little to the book. As far as the recipes go, your money is better spent on a good Italian cookbook. This book adds little to the continuing story of life in Tuscany, and that is the reader's loss. Not recommended.

This book has some beautiful photographs that really capture the essence of Italian life and the Italian people. The prose is captivating and charming. It's a perfect coffee table book and would make a great holiday gift. The recipes look good too! I think anyone interested in Italy will enjoy this book and Frances Mayes' previous books on Tuscany.

This book is quite different from Mayes' first two books about Tuscany, which were more like travel memoirs. This book's focus is photographs, accompanied by some commentary, thoughts, and insights from Mayes, as well as some recipes. Frankly, I didn't read the text at all. I just enjoyed the photographs. I wish I'd had this book when I was reading Under the Tuscan Sun and Bella Tuscany because all the places she talks about in those books are scattered throughout the pages of this book in beautiful photographs. We finally get to see what Mayes' charming Bramasole house looks like, as well as the town of Cortona and the surrounding Tuscan countryside. If you haven't read Mayes' first two books, read them and have this one handy so you can see for yourself just how beautiful these houses, towns, and people are.

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!