octoberjenten's review against another edition
1.0
I can't say I truly finished this book. This is the 2nd book of hers I've attempted to read and this one got me. I have to say this author is not for me.
heatherinthenether's review against another edition
4.0
Frances Mayes’ Bella Tuscany was, in my opinion, a gem of travel writing. Her work is flowing and brilliant, with amazing pictures painted in easy and unpretentious words. If I could, I would write just like this.
The book gives a beautiful, honest picture of real life in Tuscany, and after reading it I know that someone, somewhere, shares my love of Italy at a basic level.
Mayes’ writing is wonderful and easy to follow. The book even shares some great sounding recipes from both her time in Italy and her South Georgia background. I was thrilled with the experience of reading the book and will be more than happy if she chooses to put out another.
My favorite chapter was her discussion about learning the language. I found a lot of passages that perfectly expressed my feelings about Italian, my thoughts about why I wanted to learn the language, and my concerns about whether or not I ever would. It’s nice to know there are other people out there who feel like I do!
Verdict: A+
The book gives a beautiful, honest picture of real life in Tuscany, and after reading it I know that someone, somewhere, shares my love of Italy at a basic level.
Mayes’ writing is wonderful and easy to follow. The book even shares some great sounding recipes from both her time in Italy and her South Georgia background. I was thrilled with the experience of reading the book and will be more than happy if she chooses to put out another.
My favorite chapter was her discussion about learning the language. I found a lot of passages that perfectly expressed my feelings about Italian, my thoughts about why I wanted to learn the language, and my concerns about whether or not I ever would. It’s nice to know there are other people out there who feel like I do!
Verdict: A+
ajcousins's review against another edition
4.0
I am confused by the people who review this on Goodreads and complain that nothing happens, that it's a terrible novel because there's no real story. Um, perhaps because it's not a novel at all? Bella Tuscany is Mayes' second book about the different rhythms and habits of her part-time life in Italy, and most of it is quite charming and lovely. There was one chapter that I didn't particularly enjoy, as it was clearly written as a 'stop in this town and see this, stop next in that town and do that' piece for a travel magazine; just a list reasons to visit various little towns. But most of her chapters focus on one aspect of her life, whether it's learning a new language, struggling to enjoy a never-ending stream of visitors, conducting a massive building project to expand utility services, etc. Her writing is peaceful and meditative and leaves me feeling like I've done an hour of yoga after I finish a chapter. I enjoyed this book quite a bit, but if you are in seek of something with an action-filled plot, I would certainly seek elsewhere. :)
teachergabi's review against another edition
4.0
How fitting that I should read this book about savoring life just at the moment I can/must, due to my chicken pox-wrought "staycation." Will surely read this author's other books. Am so glad that the book more than lived up to the hype!
bookworm33's review against another edition
3.0
An interesting travel journal. Having traveled to Tuscany, I enjoyed reading about the local villages and people. The story is sort of flat, though. Her writing tends to wane towards the end.
vylotte's review against another edition
2.0
I really enjoyed "Under A Tuscan Sun" by the same author and was hoping for more of the same. This is really meandering and steam of consciousness though, and it really could have benefited from more structure, editing, and plot. Tuscany in the spring really does sound lovely though.
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