In this sequel to her New York Times bestsellers Under the Tuscan Sun and Bella Tuscany, the celebrated "bard of Tuscany" (New York Times) lyrically chronicles her continuing, two decades-long love affair with Tuscany's people, art, cuisine, and lifestyle. Frances Mayes offers her readers a deeply personal memoir of her present-day life in Tuscany, encompassing both the changes she has experienced since Under the Tuscan Sun and Bella Tuscany appeared, and sensuous, evocative reflections on the timeless beauty and vivid pleasures of Italian life. Among the themes Mayes explores are how her experience of Tuscany dramatically expanded when she renovated and became a part-time resident of a 13th century house with a stone roof in the mountains above Cortona, how life in the mountains introduced her to a "wilder" side of Tuscany--and with it a lively engagement with Tuscany's mountain people. Throughout, she reveals the concrete joys of life in her adopted hill town, with particular attention to life in the piazza, the art of Luca Signorelli (Renaissance painter from Cortona), and the pastoral pleasures of feasting from her garden. Moving always toward a deeper engagement, Mayes writes of Tuscan icons that have become for her storehouses of memory, of crucible moments from which bigger ideas emerged, and of the writing life she has enjoyed in the room where Under the Tuscan Sun began. With more on the pleasures of life at Bramasole, the delights and challenges of living in Italy day-to-day and favorite recipes, Every Day in Tuscany is a passionate and inviting account of the richness and complexity of Italian life.
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"For those who enjoyed Under the Tuscan Sun - the book not the movie - then Frances Mayes follow up novel will not disappoint. As in her first she brings her incredible attention to details of life especially as pertains to entertaining and food and delivers them with prose that is truly enjoyable. Aside from living vicariously through her descriptions descriptions or Tuscany, it is wonderful to be able to pair that account with the actual meals she describes. For those who like to cook and love to read this is a one two punch that will surly please."
— Scott (4 out of 5 stars)
" An excellent reminder of things so many of us love about Italy, especially living a full and playful life. "
— Teri, 2/20/2014" I liked her earlier books better, but since I already like her I can't help but like this one too. Reading her takes me back to Tuscany and I feel like it's summer when I'm reading. Gotta love that! "
— Elaine, 2/19/2014" Did not like her writing style and could not get into the book, even though I am interested in Italy since I plan a trip in February. "
— Betty, 2/16/2014" This book doesn't know what it wants to be. A travel essay? Recipe book? A memoir? An art history commentary? Loved Frances Mayes other books, but this one was "been there, done that". Did I detect the slightest hubris, or I'm I just envious? "
— Nancy, 2/10/2014" This book didn't flow very well but, it was so wonderful to be back at Bramasole. "
— Diane, 1/24/2014" Frances Mayes is an enticing a writer about Tuscany as my other favorite author on this subject, Ferenc Mate. I finish Mayes books yearning to spend time hanging out on the piazza in Cortona, walking the woods, harvesting from field and garden, visting the towns, reading the writers and following the artists who entrance her, and of course eating the food and drinking the wine. Can there be a more bella life? "
— bookinglibrarian, 1/22/2014" Not what I expected. No real story line. I loved Under the Tuscan Sun & loved it. I was dissapointed. Very boring! "
— Starr, 1/22/2014" A wonderfully delightful vacation through Tuscany from the perspective of the author who owns a summer home in Tuscany and loves food. The book is full of interesting stories of life in Italy. This is a must read for anyone who loves Italian food, loves cooking or is planning a vacation to Italy. "
— Eva, 1/16/2014" Nicely done, recipes included. I'm still in Italy in my mind . . . "
— Debie, 12/9/2013" Boring. I couldn't finish it. Just a collection of essays about meals eaten and museums visited with an assortment of people. Disappointed since I loved Under the Tuscan Sun. "
— Lynn, 11/24/2013" This book continues Frances Mayes's depiction of Italian life in Tuscany. Like her earlier books, it emphasizes the joys of er ex-pat life, the delightful people she and husband, Ed, know in the region and, of course, the food. It even contains recipes. "
— Beth, 11/6/2013Frances Mayes is the author of several fiction and nonfiction books, including the classic Under the Tuscan Sun, which was on the New York Times bestseller for more than two and a half years and was the basis for a major motion picture starring Diane Lane. Her writing has been translated into more than fifty languages.