Every Day in Tuscany: Seasons of an Italian Life

Wonderful Book That Bring You Up To Date on Frances Mayes Life in Italy

I loved the third book on Frances Mayes life in Italy, but had wished she had less description on the religious art in Italy and included more photographs of the town and villages she visited and lived in Tuscany. If you are a fan of her first two novels you will like this book also.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

TUSCANY REDUX

Have you ever looked forward to a dinner, a party, an event with so much eager anticipation that the reality could not possibly match your expectations? That's descriptive of the situation I found myself in when awaiting the arrival of Frances Mayes's latest EVERY DAY IN TUSCANY.

I am a huge fan of Mayes's work, totally bewitched by UNDER THE TUSCAN SUN and others, so in all fairness it may be that nothing she wrote could possibly enchant me as much as her previous work. As always, her prose is poetic, beautifully wrought, and her powers of description undiminished. EVERY DAY IN TUSCANY is surely a pleasure, but for this reader simply not as exciting, as exhilarating as the others. Wonder if after almost two decades spent in Italy the subhject is not as intoxicating for her either. Mayes's narrative tends to be a bit rambling, disjointed reminiscences of time spent in Tuscany and environs. More introspective, at times very much a diary filled with random thoughts.

One would have to share her passion for tracking the works of the artist Luca Signorelli throughout Italy or find interesting her remembrance s of a Southern childhood. Having said all of that the narrative is, of course, pure unadulterated Mayes who often weaves a spell with words, allowing us to smell the bubbling tomato sauce, taste the "creamy and unctuous" hot chocolate, and experience Cortona where "the rhythms of the piazza are an ancient folk dance." So, indeed, there is much to enjoy in EVERY DAY IN TUSCANY.

In addition to meeting her exuberant friends, enjoying time spent with grandson Willie, and understanding her frustration with the boars who seem to constantly root gardens, we join Frances and Ed as they travel from Cortona to other towns, Orvieto, Arezzo, Positano, and more. I found myself making notes, underlining so as not to miss the restaurants and sights Mayes describes so temptingly when we return to Italy. Obviously, few of us can enjoy Italia as she does - with two homes to alternate between. But, as always, this author gives us many happy dreams.

Especially meaningful for this reader was one of the final sections re Rome. She noted, "Of the great cities, Rome has the biggest heart.' How true! And after young Willie saw the Trevi fountain, he closed his eyes and said, "I can't see any more. If I see any more, I will miss Rome too much." If there isn't another book coming from Frances Mayes, I would miss her too much.

Should this be your first Mayes book, you're in for a rare treat. If it's the third or fourth for you, it is still the singular Frances Mayes.

Enjoy!

- Gail Cooke

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Catching up with an old friend.

Frances Mayes was an English professor in San Francisco CA that bought an abandoned villa in Cortona, Italy in 1990. She journaled as she refurbished her home - Bramasole - and published Under the Tuscan Sun in 1996. Thus was born a legend. Two more books were published in the next four years, with another two in 2004 & 2006. Now, Every Day in Tuscany joins the group, 14 years later. If you liked the other books, you will like this one.

Much has changed in the 20 years since this journey began. Frances and Ed married, moved from one house in SF to another, then to Marin County, before transplanting their US base to North Carolina. (It must be a relief to save 10 hours of flying per trip to Italy, not to mention the 3 hour time difference to the West Coast). Another ramshackle building was bought and refurbished near Cortona. Both quit their teaching jobs to write full time. Mayes' daughter Ashley married and had a son named Willie.

Fast forward to the present day. Even though decades have passed, Frances's passion for traveling, food and cooking, as well as the artist Luca Signorelli, remains. It is nice to know that has not changed. Willie is now 8. Reading this book is like catching up with an old friend after 4 years. I found the story about the beloved new neighbors, a Cuban American clan of 17, to be charming. While one story was particularly dark, it was included for a reason. Add to that, Ed and Frances were in Cortona when Italy won the World Cup in 2006.

I was chagrined to read that Bramasole needed some maintenance, with the Mayes' wondering how it would all be paid for. She only mentioned in passing that she was working with a national American furniture company, designing a collection for them. In addition, a book advance, dear Frances, would pay for the new roof, electrical work, drainage, a terrace door and screens. Life is bella and I look forward to the next installment.

Boring!

First, I have to say I loved Frances Mayes first book, Under the Tuscan Sun. But this one was so DULL. In the first book, she was young and vulnerable and likable. Now she is many years in Italy. What is there left to say? There is nothing here but endless descriptions of flowers, paintings, food! I felt I was reading writing class exercises. I applaud her for sure milking that original house purchase for all it was worth! But don't you spend your hard earned money on this book.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

really disappointing

Having read Under the Tuscan Sun, I was really looking forward to this book. I must say it was a huge disappointment. Her story meanders all over the place and there is no real story to speak of; rather she just recounts one unrelated thought or experience after another. She wasted page after page describing paintings that a reader may not be familiar with and only vaguely talked about her circle of friends when there was an encounter with them. Perhaps the most atrocious thing in the book is her desire to recreate Tuscany in North Carolina. That idea is beyond ridiculous as there can only be one Tuscany. The worst feature of this book was that you just didn't care how it ended you were just glad when it was finished.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Didn't fly through it

I loved Under the Tuscan Sun, but found this book a little hard to get through. I first found myself thinking it was a lot like some of Peter Mayle's books (which I love), in that it was about everyday life in Italy and there was not a certain cohesiveness to the book, but rather a collection of accounts of life. There were bits of the story that I really enjoyed and some that I didn't care for, but other readers may love. For example, there is an extensive part of the book dedicated to the art of Cortona's Signorelli. I can see art aficionados loving that section, I didn't love it, but liked the religious references regarding the art. I found that thought provoking. I prefer to read about Italy's countryside (which was described in beautiful detail in the book) and the food and this book doesn't just focus on those topics (which isn't all bad!). It would be a nice book club book and I thought it would make a great book to read and discuss in a college art/religion course.

Every Day in Tuscany by Frances Mayes

Read her previous book, "Tuscany Under The Sun" prior to visiting the Tuscany region of Italy. Her description of the region gave an insight about what I was going to experience. I wasn't disappointed with food, people, and general atmoshphere of the region as she described.

I didn't read her 2nd book, "Bella Tuscany" and feel as though there is a missing link. The way she describes the countryside, wine, tratorrias, and people makes you feel as though you are right there tasting all the wonderful food and experiencing the loving people of Tuscany.

Francis does it again

Mayes writing style and great recipes wants you to either visit Italy a lot or move there entirely!

HER STORY, HER VOICE

It's always a rare treat to hear a book read by the author, in this case the estimable Frances Mayes who recounts her life in Tuscany with unparalleled passion and zest. After all, who could possible remember those days or experiences as truly as Mayes? Having said that, Mayes is not a professional voice performer hence for this listener the long "a's" seemed a bit unsuited to the text and passages I remember reading almost languorously because they brought so much pleasure seemed hurried. Nonetheless, since it is Frances Mayes telling her personal story in her own voice this is an audiobook to be savored.
Have you ever looked forward to a dinner, a party, an event with so much eager anticipation that the reality could not possibly match your expectations? That's descriptive of the situation I found myself in when awaiting the arrival of Frances Mayes's latest EVERY DAY IN TUSCANY.
I am a huge fan of Mayes's work, totally bewitched by UNDER THE TUSCAN SUN and others, so in all fairness it may be that nothing she wrote could possibly enchant me as much as her previous work. As always, her prose is poetic, beautifully wrought, and her powers of description undiminished. EVERY DAY IN TUSCANY is surely a pleasure, but for this reader simply not as exciting, as exhilarating as the others. Wonder if after almost two decades spent in Italy the subhject is not as intoxicating for her either. Mayes's narrative tends to be a bit rambling, disjointed reminiscences of time spent in Tuscany and environs. More introspective, at times very much a diary filled with random thoughts.
One would have to share her passion for tracking the works of the artist Luca Signorelli throughout Italy or find interesting her remembrance s of a Southern childhood. Having said all of that the narrative is, of course, pure unadulterated Mayes who often weaves a spell with words, allowing us to smell the bubbling tomato sauce, taste the "creamy and unctuous" hot chocolate, and experience Cortona where "the rhythms of the piazza are an ancient folk dance." So, indeed, there is much to enjoy in EVERY DAY IN TUSCANY.
In addition to meeting her exuberant friends, enjoying time spent with grandson Willie, and understanding her frustration with the boars who seem to constantly root gardens, we join Frances and Ed as they travel from Cortona to other towns, Orvieto, Arezzo, Positano, and more. I found myself making notes, underlining so as not to miss the restaurants and sights Mayes describes so temptingly when we return to Italy. Obviously, few of us can enjoy Italia as she does - with two homes to alternate between. But, as always, this author gives us many happy dreams.
Especially meaningful for this reader was one of the final sections re Rome. She noted, "Of the great cities, Rome has the biggest heart.' How true! And after young Willie saw the Trevi fountain, he closed his eyes and said, "I can't see any more. If I see any more, I will miss Rome too much." If there isn't another book coming from Frances Mayes, I would miss her too much.
Should this be your first Mayes book, you're in for a rare treat. If it's the third or fourth for you, it is still the singular Frances Mayes.
Enjoy!
- Gail Cooke

A home in NC and Italy

I had not read the Authors work before so I thought it was a romance. I wanted to kick her many times for she loved that place away from our wonderful USA. We have many places of the same that will relieve her stress. I wanted to tell her to just move there permanently!.

I did not enjoy it. She saw how they -people turned on she and husband.

0 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

A Third Visit with Freances in Tuscany

I've read each of Freances Mayes four travel books, Under the Tuscan Sun, Bella Tuscany, A Year in the World, and this, Every Day in Tuscany. Each feels like a visit to a friend you haven't seen in sometime, and have a million things to talk about. Ms Mayes invites us to experience Cortona, her Italian hometown, through her eyes. She's been a part-time resident there for 20-odd years, and loves it like a native. I especially like reading her books on a miserable winter day when I long to feel the sun on my face, her descriptions of Italy are detailed and vibrant. Not everyone can make the trip to Tuscany, so we can only hope she continues to send us these snapshots of her life

Used Books

The option of buying used books is wonderful. I have never been disappointed with the condition of the books that I have received. It's also a wonderful way to pass the books on to share with all my friends while staying within my budget. When buying new or used, the convenience of buying online along with receiving the books so quickly makes shopping with B&N fun!!

0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

just as good as under the tuscan sky

would recommend this book for anyone that loves Italian culture and an in depth look into the Tuscan way of life

Gorgeous Book

This book is a wonderful follow up to Under the Tuscan Sun, Bella Tuscany and In the World. She writes with wonder and honesty. Beautiful addition to any library.

Every Day with Frances would be a dream come true!

This beautiful memoire took me on a relaxing journey that I could smell the herbs in Frances's garden and taste the flavors of each meal. I felt each step as she walked through the small towns shopping, tasting the expressos, the gelatos. In a nutshell, I would like to be Frances.
She paints such beautiful pictures of the countryside and the people. I felt like they were sitting on my patio chatting and drinking the Brunello.
Her words of wisdom, especially in the beginning chapters, on life were so inspirational that I wrote them all down in my journal and I read them everyday. Since I have gotten to know Frances Mayes she has influenced so many facets of my life. My dream is to walk the roads the Etruscans did and sample the food and wine of this glorious country. Thank you Frances for another successful journey. I love traveling with you!

Every Day in Tuscany

Every Day in Tuscany is not as restful as Mayes' past books. Rather than focusing on the house restoration and the people she encounters, quite a bit of time is spent describing artists and their works along with where it is best to see those works. This lent it an unexpected travel book feel.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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