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I am in the process of writing a book about living here in Spain. I can't for the freaking life of me figure out why so many people like this book. I don't think that she has one single clever insight into how Italians live. I also cook and eat like a sumo wrestler, and if I missed more than three days of bike riding I'd look like one, but even in Italy there is more to living there than what they eat.

LOL

LOLOLOL I saw the movie first and expected to see SOMETHING recognizable in the book. There was so little other than the scenery, house and food, that I was disappointed. If I was more of a gardener or cook I likely would gave enjoyed this more.

Without the book there would not have been the movie. I liked both...just saying. You could say, "the book is not like the cover." but I still liked it.

Because I like old houses and the art of making an old house a home, I plodded through the author's rambling thoughts on life in Tuscany. Years after reading the book, I can still walk through that house room by room. Although her voice may seem monotone, Ms Mayes manages to paint pictures with words.

I've just started the book and I agree with you so far. It's very hard to get into. Her thoughts are definitely incomplete and it's really about the house. I'm unsure if I'll be able to finish this book.

See the movie, great view!

I never finished it!

Loved the novel!

I agree with you 100%! I was so disappointed, and skimmed whole sections and then finally just gave up. So boring.

There are two Kathleens here. :)

If you're looking for a work of settlement non-fiction/travel memoir that will not disappoint, I recommend A PLACE IN MY COUNTRY by Ian Walthew. A hidden classic.

Don't most Italians eat like sumo wrestlers? I'm Italian and I know I (and my family) do...

Thank you! I was about to read it!

I sooo agree with you Ali

Ouch, how am I supposed to motivate myself for reading now, since I thought the movie was horrible? :/

Totally agree. Movie was SO much better. And I never say that.

The book is a true, the movie is made up and embellished to make it more interesting. If you like old house renovation, cooking and some lovely descriptions it's a pleasant read. If you want lots of detail on Italy and find an obviously very wealthy individual moaning about not having enough money for renovations, it's probably not for you ;). I have just read it as a free copy on holiday

So shallow. This book has inspired so many women to go actually live a dream. Bravo for Frances. Bravo

How old are you, Ali?

Great review Ali. I feel this book is on the same path as Eat, Pray, Love.

Totally agree with you, Ali :)

Your description of the book is technically accurate but I really welcomed this book and enjoyed it greatly. It was like a salve on the wound of all the wicked in the world today - I certainly didn't have to think at all, which was much needed. I read your review before I read the book and almost didn't because of it! I'm glad I dove in anyway. :-) I wonder if I'll like the movie?

I totally agree and my review, when I finally force myself to finish the book, will be similar. So far I've read two other books and have started a third because I have to take a break from the deadly dull prose after a while. I loved (most of) the movie, it is one of those feel-good movies that I watch when I am feeling down and want a lift. The only value I see in this book is that it provided a framework for the movie. No, the movie is not perfect, there are things I would have changed about it, but still, it is enjoyable, which I cannot say about the book.

I loved this book. The movie was good, but completely separate from the book.

What an utterly pointless and immature review. It was none of those things. If you want to read a thriller about teenagers then stick within the genre with which you are comfortable. It was slow, meandering rich with culture Italian life and food... just like the country itself. Maybe you were mislead by the movie - which bears virtually no resemblance to this beautiful life-affirming book.

I loved the movie. I usually like to read the book first. But maybe I will put this on my shelf.

The book is her true journey with her partner in life. The movie was 'spiced up' to make her single and finding her partner in life in Italy because two people struggling in a new country would not have had the romance needed--just the struggle. If you want a romance story, stick with the movie. If you want the truth, read the book. P.S. I met her husband, just last week, as he and others were on their way to harvest olives.

She’s not a good writer . Ironic as she is a writing prof? The book was so overrated that I approached with caution and after only a third though the book , found my opinion completely justified.
I have read many travel books and have never been so completely bored by any of them .

There are few books I don’t like and this is one of them. It does meander around too much. It’s like a travelogue for Italy, the food, the places, and some of the people. I really had a hard time with her lack of description of Ed. He could have been the house handyman instead of her partner. He was such a major part of the renovation we could have heard more about his character. And Frances didn’t seem to get any joy out of her life except when she was in Italy. Why didn’t she just move there? I read this over the Christmas holidays so I wouldn’t get stuck in a book I loved and not be able to tear myself away from it to be with my family. I easily tore myself away which is why it took me over a week to read it. And on top of all this she wrote a boom about renovating a very old Italian home and NO PICTURES. I was able to find some on line and it is a beautiful house with lovely grounds which should have been part of the book.

It's fine that you didn't like the book but why bring up that she's middle-aged? And why write in SHOUTY CAPS?? ITS SO RUDE.

Have seen the movie, but usually prefer the book. Am going to read and make up my own mind.

What does your ageist insult have to do with the merits of this book? If you prefer shallow racy romance stories, stick to authors that provide such product. Just a suggestion: lose the all-caps shouty attitude when you are ready to be considered an adult and have your reviews taken seriously.

It’s not an ageist insult. The character IS middle-aged, a point that she brings up many times in the book. This book read like one long diary entry. She was self-absorbed and, honestly, really boring. Perhaps the caps weren’t necessary in the review, but I certainly feel the OP’s pain, and it doesn’t mean I prefer “racy romance stories��. A garbage book is a garbage book, period.

Currently listening to this on audio book in my car driving through rain and floods every day. So need some Tuscan sunshine! Skipped through all of the endless recipes and menus. Enjoyed their challenge of doing up the old house but wow the money they spent!

Waste of time, felt abliged to finish it. I got more and more annoyed as I read this book. Wealthy San Francisco professors, own a home in SF and a fixer-upper villa in Italy for them to spend their Summers in. Sour grapes here, life must be tough for thoses who have $.

Life must be rough for those with $.
Only finished because I felt obliged to.
fortunately I could breeze tmhrough the exotic recipes with many ingredients I can't source, nor likel
y find in my lowly little area. I can see why it made the best sellers list in NY.

Thank goodness this book is nothing like the movie which just bored me. I loved this book probably because I was in Italy last year and it brought back so many good memories.

I picked this book up to read because I saw the movie with the same name and I loved it. I have yet to finish this book. Ugh!

I watched this movie..I think. With Sandra Oh?? Why does everyone dislike the book? Now I have to read it!

I gave up after 3 chapters. I have no interest in hearing about a rich American buying a house in Italy only to rip out the historic features and turn it into a vacation rental. I was hoping for some insight into Italy and it's culture, instead the locals are described as nothing more than caricatures and stereotypes.

I can’t get beyond page 50 of this book, which is my book club’s selection this month. It seems embarrassingly self indulgent and god is it dull. I feel better knowing I wasn’t the only one who had this reaction—the book has an inexplicable number of really positive reviews!

Thanks, now I know to skip it 😂

This is the first comment I read, laughed out loud, I will not be reading this book. Lol

I love, love this book! The movie was such a disappointment.

I have been struggling to read this book and am thankful that I’m not the only one!

Tedious and very predictable, and the movie was even worse

What’s wrong with middle-aged women?

Sounds like…uh…jealousy to me. This book is the beginning of the Mayes�� odyssey in restoring a jewel of a house and the writing is simple, to the point and beautifully poetic. I’m now reading her second book, “Bella Tuscany”—a little more relaxed since the restoration of their villa is complete and the author and her husband now have some time to explore Italy. Mayes�� writing engages every sense—her wonderful descriptions of rustic Tuscan food, landscapes and art fully transported me. This couple should be admired for the restoration of their amazing
home. If she rants—well that is the reality and I was amazed given the difficulty of the work (you just can’t trot down to Home Depot) that she did not do more of it.

Darn, should have read your review before I read this book!! I completely agree with the meandering comment.