Women in Sunlight

A Novel

By: Frances Mayes

Narrated by: Kimberly Farr

Length: 16 hrs and 53 mins

Publisher's summary

The story of four American strangers who bond in Italy and change their lives over the course of an exceptional year, from the best-selling author of Under the Tuscan Sun. Don’t miss Frances Mayes in PBS’s Dream of Italy: Tuscan Sun Special!

She watches from her terrazza as the three American women carry their luggage into the stone villa down the hill. Who are they, and what brings them to this Tuscan village so far from home? An expat herself and with her own unfinished story, she can’t help but question: will they find what they came for?

Kit Raine, an American writer living in Tuscany, is working on a biography of her close friend, a complex woman who continues to cast a shadow on Kit’s own life. Her work is waylaid by the arrival of three women - Julia, Camille, and Susan - all of whom have launched a recent and spontaneous friendship that will uproot them completely and redirect their lives. Susan, the most adventurous of the three, has enticed them to subvert expectations of staid retirement by taking a lease on a big, beautiful house in Tuscany. Though novices in a foreign culture, their renewed sense of adventure imbues each of them with a bright sense of bravery, a gusto for life, and a fierce determination to thrive. But how? With Kit’s friendship and guidance, the three friends launch themselves into Italian life, pursuing passions long-forgotten - and with drastic and unforeseeable results.

©2018 Frances Mayes (P)2018 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“The pleasurable descriptions of colors and tastes and various Italian tourist destinations, plus the poetry written by the writer character, the gardens planted by the gardening character, and the handmade paper made by the paper-making character, etc., are enough to keep this party going all year long.” (Kirkus)

"Whether in the South or in Italy, Frances Mayes takes us home to a lush, vivid landscape where all senses are engaged. Women in Sunlight, her compelling new novel, transports us emotionally as well, as we watch a cast of memorable women maneuver their lives through many transitions. This novel is a great exploration of process: of writing, of cooking, and most importantly, of living." (Jill McCorkle, author of Life After Life)

"Frances Mayes’s novel about the feasts and friendships of four American women in the Tuscan countryside is a joy for the senses and an awakening for us all to the possibilities in our lives. Women in Sunlight is one of those novels you’ll want to linger in, to leave open on your bedside table, to read each page again and again." (Nancy Thayer, author of A Nantucket Wedding)

“The beloved Frances Mayes seems to own the Italian sun. Her first Italian-set novel is a lovely and intimate journey of friendship, loss, and hope set in the eternal beauty of Tuscan countryside. All of Ms. Mayes signature insights are here...there is healing and forgiveness that only a sojourn to Italy can provide. Che bella!” (Adriana Trigiani, best-selling author of Kiss Carlo)

“Fans will be delighted that Mayes again puts them Under the Tuscan Sun, where American writer Kit Raine is now living…. Sun and fun, food and friendship - you can’t go wrong.” (Library Journal)

What a joy!

This book was pure joy from start to finish! I’m not ready to let it go so I will listen again and savor all the details and beauty. Well done!

Hey y'all

After growing up in Texas and moving to California in my early 20s, I worked hard to lose the southern accent I grew up with. 20+ years later and I thought I was safe. Until this book. The voices and accents created by Kimberly Farr were so believable and adorable that I found myself accidentally slipping a "y'all" or "well I'll be" into my every day conversation. Also biscuits. Totally whipped up some homemade biscuits to put my olive tapenade on the other day. #southernitalianfusion

This book is so fun and colorful, and so easy to visualize what has been written by the author that I now want to move in with these women and enjoy and newly re-cultivated southern accent in Italy. Seems doable.

Lovely escape

A combination of Grace & Frankie, wine country, with a hint of Eat Pray Love,
This was a nice book to listen to while driving, cooking and doing laundry.
It sweeps you away to another country while being entertained by these women trying to find themselves after marriages and the kids are grown.
Frances’ writing is so poetic and descriptive. The food they eat makes you jealous.
There’s bits and pieces that seem to be taken straight from her other novels also.
Just a feel good book.
Cons: the narrator did a great job! But it was hard to keep track of who was who sometimes, especially because the book is written in 1st person and omni. But you get the gist.

Great Italian adventure

Loved the story of friendships and adventure as shown by women in their later years- finding how to live life to the fullest!

Didn't want it to end.

Would you consider the audio edition of Women in Sunlight to be better than the print version?

I can't say yet, if I would prefer the audio version, over the print version. My print version is supposed to be delivered today.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Villa Assunta took center stage for me, as my favorite character. The stone house seemed to have a life of it's own and the others rotated around it. It was lovely to glean information about the villa's past and follow the transformation of it and it's gardens.

What does Kimberly Farr bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I enjoyed the differentiation in the multiple southern accents. That said, I'm always disappointed to listen to a Frances Mayes book, that doesn't feature her sweet voice. There really is no substitute, after having listened to her many books about living in Tuscany.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The most moving part of the book, was when Julia decides to jump off the cliff. It was such a clear representation of literally overcoming the many fears that hold us back in life.

Any additional comments?

Well worth the "listen." I'm re-listening now to enjoy the story again and pick up anything I missed. My hard copy should be arriving soon and then I will enjoy that, as well.

Italian story

This book reads like a travelogue with a personal touch. The three southern women characters are a joy. This book easily entertains. The author does ramble a bit as she does in her other books but overall a fun listening experience.

what a wonderful adventure

what a fantastic adventure for 3 women. best listen to on audible so you get the Italian language. I've listen to it twice.

Starts slow then goes fast

Had a bit of trouble getting through the first part until the women decide to go to Italy together. After that, it was great fun and adventure for the whole ride! I’d love to visit with them, or would love to do something similar.

I loved it

this book struck s chord as 3 older women chose a different path from retirement home. great characters. great discussions on art. food, music. and gardens. didn't want the book to end. Bravo

But only because I will be in Italy next week...

I enjoyed this book, the story of the women, the description of the food, and the places they traveled to... but if I wasn't heading to Italy next week for the first time, I'm not sure I would have. At first I couldn't decide if it was the writing or the narrator that I was put off by, but it only happened when the narrator was speaking for Kit. She spoke as if she was awkwardly reading the world's longest poem. I didn't enjoy that style of it at all. And when art is discussed (SO many types of art) it was often like listening in on a conversation that wasn't meant for me. Overall, I enjoyed this book, but possibly just because it takes place where I want to be