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)

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.

Pretty Good. Worth it

When I first started listening to this book I almost stopped and didn’t finish it. Honestly the author and narrator’s voice was too much for me. Almost a higher mono tone with no emotion. I thought there is no way I’m going to be able to enjoy the book. Also the beginning just starts. I felt like I missed a chapter or an introduction or something. I even restarted it because of the abruptness if it. But I didn’t
I figured I’d just tough it out and by a few chapters in I got “used to” her voice enough to enjoy the story and catch on for how it started.
Overall the story is really good. There are some parts that I noticed I “spaced out” during as I feel it’s rambling on but it’s definitely 4 star quality.
After finishing the book I watched the movie. There are some similarities but the differences are way more obvious. You could almost mistake them as being not the same. I Rarely ever say this but I liked the movie better than the book. Usually the book out weighs the movie. Not in this case for me.
Still it’s worth the listen.

Living in Italy, not the movie

I had read other reviews so knew this would be Frances Mayes personal experiences of buying a home with her husband in Tuscany. As a lover of Italy, foodie, real estate agent with a contractor husband and having lived outside US I found the book easily listenable and relatable. I loved it but may not be for everyone.

High hopes led to high disappointment

Although the first half of the story, the discovery of the house, the remodeling and the hurdles to the finish line was enjoyable, it was a struggle to finish. The narrator read like she was reading bullet points on a monitor rather than having a flow of reading a story. The second half of the story became like reading the highlights of a travel guide. I was looking forward to hearing the story that inspired one of my favorite movies, but I'm left with feelings of disappointment.

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!!!!

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.

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.

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

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