Under the Tuscan Sun

De: Frances Mayes

Narrado por: Frances Mayes

Number-one New York Times best seller

The beloved memoir of self-discovery set against the spectacular Tuscan countryside that inspired the major motion picture starring Diane Lane - now in a 20th-anniversary edition featuring a new afterword

“This beautifully written memoir about taking chances, living in Italy, loving a house and, always, the pleasures of food, would make a perfect gift for a loved one. But it’s so delicious, read it first yourself.” (USA Today)

For more Frances Mayes, including a tour of her now iconic Cortona home, Bramasole, watch PBS’ Dream of Italy: Tuscan Sun Special!

More than 20 years ago, Frances Mayes - widely published poet, gourmet cook, and travel writer - introduced readers to a wondrous new world when she bought and restored an abandoned Tuscan villa called Bramasole. Under the Tuscan Sun inspired generations to embark on their own journeys - whether that be flying to a foreign country in search of themselves, savoring one of the book’s dozens of delicious seasonal recipes, or simply being transported by Mayes’ signature evocative, sensory language. Now with a new afterword from Frances Mayes, the 20th-anniversary edition of Under the Tuscan Sun revisits the book’s most popular characters.

©1998 Frances Mayes (P)1998 Bantam Doubleday Dell Audio Publishing, Bantam Doubleday Dell, A Division of Random House Inc.

Reseñas de la Crítica

"An intense celebration of what [Mayes] calls 'the voluptuousness of Italian life'...appealing and very vivid." (The New York Times Book Review)
"Irresistible...a sensuous book for a sensuous countryside." (Minneapolis Star-Tribune)

Sadly disappointed

This is a horrible thing to say...

I watched the movie and had an image of Frances Mayes in my head. I loved the movie, I fantasized that it could be my life, I had a romanticized view of her. Then I started to listen to the book and her voice totally ruined it. I imagined a soft, non-accented voice and the voice talking to me was completely not that voice.

Like I said, it's a horrible thing to say, but I decided to buy the paper version of the book and just read it instead

The Movie was much better

I enjoyed the story in this movie and hoped the book would have additional enjoyable adventures. Unfortunately I found the opposite. The story seemed disconnected and didn't flow as well as the movie. I guess this is the down fall of seeing the movie first.

In any case the most problematic concern was the narrator's voice. Ms. Mayes should have opted for someone else to narrate. Ms. Mayes' soft southern drawl didn't seem natural and was very distracting.

I had to give up on this one, it was too painful to listen to.

Might Have Been Good, but . . .

The narrator's voice was so inappropriate
For this story! Yikes! It might have been a good story if I could have got past thaT SILLY Southern accent.

Good story but needs different narrator

I understand she wrote the book, but the author should just stick to writing. Would’ve been a better experience.

BAD NARRATION

I was truly excited to hear this book!
I’m from the south, and and a frequenter of audible, and I can tell you this was a TERRIBLE choice to have the author narrate the book. A lot of times it works out- however, she has a southern accent that even I find grating, and she is literally just READING rather than FEELING anything. Reminded me of being in a 5th grade classroom reading aloud.
She should do herself a favor and have someone else narrate this!!!!

Wonderful descriptions of Tuscany- not the best choice of reader.

It is best to listen in small bites- a chapter or two at a time, because of the monotone southern accent of the reader.

Mayes voice is not "listen" friendly

Would you consider the audio edition of Under the Tuscan Sun to be better than the print version?

no

What did you like best about this story?

food descriptions were romantic and full of life

What didn’t you like about Frances Mayes’s performance?

Mayes voice was not "listen"friendly...I had listened to an audio recording of this book years ago and fully enjoyed the performance. I purchased this version without listening to a clip of the audio. Surprised when I listened to find another person narrating.

Her reading is nauseating

I’ve read this book twice and have actually stood in front of this home in Italy. I was so excited to have it read to me until I heard it. She reads entirely too fast and while she is an amazing writer her skills at reading a book are sorely lacking. I want my Audible credit back for this book. I cannot bear to listen to it.

Kind of boring

The story was very hard to listen to. The accent was very fake sounding and mixed with trying to say Italian words was rough. The story wasn’t a story. Seemed more like a history lesson mixed with renovations. Wouldn’t read or listen to again

Her Voice

Would you try another book from Frances Mayes and/or Frances Mayes?

I would as the story itself is lovely.

Any additional comments?

The narrators voice is like nails down a chalk board. I love this book but I simple cannot listen to her.