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In Tuscany Audiobook
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(3.02) - 879 listener ratings
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From the bestselling author whose memoirs Under the Sun and Bella Tuscany have captured the voluptuousness of Italian life comes a lavishly illustrated ode to the joys of Tuscany's people, food, landscapes, and art. In Tuscany celebrates the abundant pleasures of life in Italy as it is lived at home, at festivals, feasts, restaurants and markets, in the kitchen and on the piazza, in the vineyards, fields, and olive groves. Combining all-new essays by Frances Mayes and a chapter by her husband, poet Edward Mayes, with more than 200 full-color photos by photographer Bob Krist, each of this book's five sections highlights a signature aspect of Tuscan life: La Piazza--the locus of Italian village life. With photgraphs of the shop signs, the outdoor markets, medieval streets, people, their pets and their cars, and snippets of conversations overheard, Mayes reveals the life of the Piazza in her town of Cortona as well as out-of-the-way places such as Volterra, Asciano, Monte San Savino, and Castelmuzio. La Festa--the celebration. Essays and photos of feasts and celebrations, such as the Christmas dinner for twenty-seven at a neighbor's house and a donkey race around the church at Montepulciano Stazione, illustrate how the Tuscans celebrate the seasons--their open ways of friendship, their connection to nature, and most of all, their sense of abundance. Il Campo--the field. Here Edward Mayes evokes the deep sense of the shift of seasons as he picks olives before he and Frances head off to the olive oil mill and enjoy the first bruscette with new oil. La Cucina--the kitchen. An intimate view of the all-important role of the kitchen in Tuscan culture, including photographs of her own kitchen and gardens, menus from great local cooks, the elements of the Tuscan table, dishes with cultural and culinary notes on each, and, of course, delectable recipes. La Bellezza--the beauty. From the quality of the light falling on sublime landscapes in different seasons and Tuscan faces in moments of laughter to a silhouette of cypress trees in the early evening and a wild bird perched on a neigbor's head, In Tuscany features views of beauty that reveal the singular splendor of one of the world's best-loved and most artistic regions.
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"This was a book which I read slowly over a few months. This was done on purpose as it is not a book to hurry through - too much will be missed. It is one which I will return to read - just to capture again the feeling of being in that city, that country with the author! "
— Gillian (4 out of 5 stars)
In Tuscany Listener Reviews
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" Fascinating read. And I adore the Tuscan recipes included. I have used them for years in my kitchen. Frances really captured the total essence of life in this magical land. "
— Barbara, 12/18/2013 -
" Loved all the recipes and the description of the countryside and the people who live there. "
— Betty, 12/13/2013 -
" Beautiful and enchanting a story as ever. Between her prose, the pictures and recipes you feel Tuscany. "
— Kimberly, 11/27/2013 -
" this is more of a travel guide book with beautiful photographs capturing the light and landscape of Tuscany. Not quite a coffee-table book and prettier than a standard travel guide, it falls between. Worth buying if you plan a visit or have visited and want a memento...but not at full price. "
— Suzanne, 11/13/2013 -
" A virtual travel to Tuscany, Italy through the eyes of Frances Mayes was a delightful experience. The pictures were breathtaking and her words desciptive. "
— Andrea, 11/3/2013 -
" Let's one look at another culture and an American can blend into that culture. Plus it had recipes to be made. This book is a travelog and makes one want to go to Tuscany and spend more time than usual. This book a keeper. "
— Ann, 10/28/2013 -
" Makes you want to leave everything and move to italy "
— Deanna, 10/2/2013 -
" A guided tour through Tuscany filled with gorgeous photographs. Also one of my favorite cook books. Recipes in this book have become family favorites. "
— Natalie, 9/28/2013 -
" Anything by this author is a glimpse into life in Italy. Beautifully written as always,open the book and you are transported. "
— Ellen, 5/25/2013 -
" Though I could already visualize Tuscany through Frances Mayes written words, the book is definitely frosting on the cake. Now that I took it down from the shelf to add to my list here ,I will once again immerse myself in the pages and return to Tuscany. "
— Garfield, 3/3/2013 -
" I really like Frances Mayes' books. They transport me to a place I love. I can relate to her and her stories very well. I loved this book because of the stories, pictures, recipes. It has everything rolled up in one. "
— Donna, 11/30/2012 -
" A nice companion to Frances Mayes other works, "Under the Tuscan Sun" and "Bella Tuscany". "
— Serge, 11/28/2012 -
" I like Mayes writing. Her descriptions of landscape and food in Tuscany delight me. "
— Pat, 11/6/2012 -
" This is a beautiful book. The pictures alone will have you dreaming of moving to Tuscany as soon as possible. "
— Susie, 4/8/2012 -
" I "read" this book via the audio version and just did not like it. It was almost like listening to someone read from a travel guide that's too full of details. I usually love her books so perhaps reading it would have garnered a different reaction on my part. Very disappointed. "
— Jo, 12/16/2011 -
" Book of beautiful Tuscan pictures. "
— Julie, 12/16/2011 -
" Gorgeous photographs and sumptuous recipes!! "
— Tif, 10/8/2011 -
" Almost a travel guide, I'm not sure why this book was written. It might as well be a journal entry of a foreigner in Italy. I'm of Italian ancestry--and so I want to like this. But, the whole thing is so foreign to me, that I can't relate. Perhaps I need to get to Tuscany, and then re-read? "
— David, 8/12/2011 -
" One of my favorite books! Very vivid descriptions... it's like you're traveling with her and you will want to go to all of the places she describes! "
— Nicole, 8/11/2011 -
" Beautifully enchanting, as always. Mayes has a way with description and a lust for living life as it should be lived that is admirable. i hunger for the next installment! "
— Heather, 5/14/2011 -
" Great read on Tuscany, including descriptions of sites to visit and recipes. "
— Patricia, 4/26/2011 -
" This is a light, good read. Certainly makes me hungary with all the recipes. I wish I had a ticket and could fly to Italy right now. Mayes is a good author with description that touches the senses - smell, taste, sight. "
— Kit, 4/23/2011 -
" Not as good as Under The Tuscan Sun but light entertainment. A memoir of living in Italy, loving a house and the pleasures of food ( with recipes). "
— Marianne, 4/14/2011 -
" Frances Mayes inspires me to live better. I suppose I envy her life a little. But I can explore Italy through her eyes and I enjoy that very much. "
— Shelly, 4/11/2011 -
" Book is very repetitive. Do not expect a plot--items not even in chronological order. The author does have some very good insights as to life, though. She seems to feel that we Americans have much to learn from the Italians. "
— Carol, 3/28/2011 -
" Morer of a cookbook and dairy than Mayes usual books "
— Jhall, 3/4/2011 -
" This book isn't as good as her first one "Under the Tuscan Sun", but I once again was caught up in the life that she lives in Italy. I especially enjoyed the sections on art and food. "
— Janet, 2/3/2011 -
" Probably not her best work. Seems like she is running out of Tuscan to write about. "
— Eric, 1/20/2011 -
" Once again I enjoyed the details of the Italian life - especially about the food and wine. <br/>Reading this book made me miss the sunshine even more. "
— Jasmin, 12/30/2010
About the Authors
Frances 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.