Customer Reviews

Vanilla Beans & Brodo: Real Life in the Hills of Tuscany

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I have lived in Italy for the past six years and have read many books on Italian life. This is one of the best as it truly shows how Italians really live, think, and gives such a wonderful description of the historical and political aspects of a hill-top village that I was even tempted to immediately begin reading it again to be sure I did not miss anything.

I recently visited Montalcino and came across this book for the first time. I do think a different title would have put it on the best seller's list as it is much better than "Under the Tuscan Sun" or others I have read. Well written in the descriptions of people and places. We are recommending it to our book club! This is a must read before visiting any hill town in Tuscany - but especially beautiful Montalcino. After reading this book, I cannot wait to return.

I am totally in love with everything Italian and with the Italian joy of life. I am planning to take a one-way trip when I retire and hopefully land permanently in some marvelous location such as Montalcino. This book makes us aware not only of the wonders available to us when we visit Italy but to how much we miss by not being prepared for our visits.
VB&B is a fascinating book about a region and a primer on how to learn to adapt and enjoy another culture than our own. We so seldom slow down and learn in depth about a place before moving on to something else - this book will teach you how to absorb the atmosphere which most people miss.

When you have finished "Vanilla Beans and Brodo", go on to another great book about learning to live in Italy: "Extra Virgin".

I've read at least 30 books on Italy and many on life in Tuscany, and this one was CLEARLY the worst!! The writer takes forever to tell a story, and goes into so much detail I'm asleep before she ever gets to the point. I've been to Montalcino, and I still found myself laboring to get through this book. There are MANY better books to read: "Too Much Tuscan Sun", "The Reluctant Tuscan", "A Thousand Days in Tuscany", "A Day in Tuscany", "I, Mona Lisa", "Extra Virgin", "Italian Neighbors"....

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!

I have recently read Vanilla Beans and Brodo and as a regular visitor to Italy over the past 55years and being a lover of all things Italian I find that the author has captured so completely the character of, and the atmosphere of a typical village that each time I picked up the book I have immediately been transported into Montalcino to become involved with their lives and to identify with their problems and to be almost able to taste Il Brunello.
I have yet to read a book which has given me a more accurate insight of the character of the cittadini and contadini of the Tuscan countryside

Ms. Dusi may have been a talented businesswoman in Australia and she may have been in a dire need of an income while living her dream in Tuscany, but she is not a writer and I did not need another half-read bore on my bookshelf. A senseless rambling. In fact, the only intriguing thing about this book is its title and this is what lead me to click the 'buy' tab. This book cannot compare to the expat classics, such as A Year in Provence and/or Under the Tuscan Sun. Have no idea what all the gushing reviews are about.

I bought VB&B soon after it was released in Australia just before Xmas '01 and only just finished reading it now in Nov. '02.What a big mistake!!In that time I was lucky enough to spend nearly 3 months in Italy.Oh,how I wish I would have read Isabella's book by the time I got to Montalcino in June.We did spend several hours there.Nowhere near long enough.....and it was during siesta as well!What we saw of Montalcino barely scratched the surface. How do you think I felt reading VB&B?It has felt like I've been transported into Isabella & Luigi's life in this hilltop town.I feel like part of the family.She has written such a strong account of their Tuscan experience that I feel as if I've been there to share it all with them.Not only is it beautifully written but also wonderfully illustrated.Can't wait to return to Italy and to meet the "family " in Montalcino!

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 ...

I bought VB & B to read whilst on holiday in another part of Tuscany. Having been gripped by what I was reading I made my party of 7 travel to Montalcino for the day to experience it for themselves. Isabella made me want to be a part of the village & to meet the characters who are the mainstays of the book. It is a combination of the day to day adventures of the many friends that Isabella & her husband have made since moving to Montalcino, a history of the village itself and a handbook for anyone who wants to explore Montalcino. The book takes you through the different seasons in a year of village life, and includes wonderfully evocative descriptions of some of the annual events that take place. These are so well written that you actually feel as if you are experiencing them for yourself along with the author, and in fact that is exactly what my family hope to do as we intend to travel to Montalcino again. I highly recommend this book as not only is it one of the best books I have read in a long time, but it made me feel such a part of Montalcino that I have now taken up honorary membership of one of the quarters of the village.

Having bought this book on a whim because it seemed to have something to do with Italy, I became utterly absorbed in it by the end of the first chapter.The book tells of a year in the life of an Italian hilltop village.By the end of the year the reader knows of many of the colourful characters who live in the town today, as well as the cultural traditions and festivals which are celebrated much as they were several centuries ago.The competitiveness between the four quarters of the town in the archery and the football competitions is riveting, but the most delightful part of the book for me was the descriptions of the food, and the pleasure with which the Montalcinese people prepare their food which really gave me the most pleasure.An unexpectedly wonderful read, and one which I would recommend to anyone who loves Italy, travelling, food, or all three.